Indian Precipitated Silica Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Indian Precipitated Silica Market size is forecast to reach $93.16 million by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 6% during 2020-2025. Precipitated silica is an amorphous form of silica produced by precipitation from solution containing silicate salts. It is essentially not micro porous unless prepared by the Stober process. Increase in demand of precipitated silica from rubber industry for the production of thermoplastic rubber, rice rollers, shoe soles, and PVC sheets is driving the growth of Indian precipitated silica market. Whereas, the escalating use of silica in conveyor belts and transmission systems for improving the strength and wear resistance also boosts the market growth. In addition, the growing uses of Precipitated Silica from pharmaceuticals industry as a free flow and anti-caking agent to improve weight uniformity and mechanical stability in tablets is likely to propel the market growth during the forecast period.

The report: “Indian Precipitated Silica Market – Forecast (2020-2025)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Indian Precipitated Silica Market. 

By Grade: Rubber Grade, Feed Grade, Food Grade, and Others (Toothpaste and Sealant Grade)

By Application: Rubber (Reinforcement) {Tires (Automotive (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, and Heavy Commercial Vehicles)), Aviation, and Others), Non-Tires (Industrial Rubber, Silicone Rubber, Footwear, and Others)}, Non-Rubber {Food, Agrochemicals (Pesticides, Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides, and Others), Feed, Coatings, Paints and Inks, Adhesives and Sealants, Battery Separators, Synthetic Paper, Personal Care, Detergents, and Others)}

By Geography: Northern India, Southern India, Eastern India, and Western India

Rubber grade precipitated silica holds the largest share of more than 35% in Indian precipitated silica market. Precipitated silica is used as a reinforcing agent in rubber formulation. Owing to its properties such as high strength, wear and tear resistance, flexibility, high resilience and adhesion, they are widely used in rubber industries. Increasing demand of precipitated silica in applications such as rubber and rice rollers, tires, belts, hoses, sheets and foot wears is driving the growth of rubber grade segment which in turn propels the precipitated silica market in India. According to a report of Indian government consumption of synthetic rubber in rubber products manufacturing sector increased from 411,830 tons in 2010-11 to 633,975 tons in 2017-18 and consumption of synthetic rubber is estimated to reach 1.2 million tons by 2025 in India, further boosting the Indian precipitated silica market.

Rubber reinforcement applications segment holds the largest share of more than 25% in Indian precipitated silica market in 2019. Precipitated silica is used in automotive industries for manufacturing tires, tubes, hoses, gaskets and seals as it improves grip and wear resistant. Surging demand of automobiles especially electric and hybrid electric vehicles and its accessories is driving the growth of precipitated silica in Indian market. According to Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), Electric vehicles sales excluding e-rickshaws, in India grew by 20 per cent at 1.56 lakh units in 2019-20, while in 2018-19, total EV sales in India stood at 1.3 lakh units. Thus, flourishing automotive industry may boost the demand for precipitated silica.

Coronavirus has badly impacted the growth of Indian precipitated silica market. Furthermore, lack of presence of workforce due to lockdown and declining demand from end-use sectors the manufacturing companies lowered their production of precipitated silica. According to Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle sales declined 51% to 143,014 units in March 2020 whereas sales of commercial vehicles crashed 88% to 13,027 units, substantially restraining the growth of Indian precipitated silica market.

Rising environmental concerns combined with growing interest of manufacturing industries for generation of precipitated silica using rice husk ash is driving the growth of market. Rice husk when burnt in boilers as fuel, generates ash which is an environmental waste but used by other industries for making rubber and paint products as it contains 60% to 80% amorphous silica. India is an agro-based nation which produced 112.91 million tons of rice in 2017-2018. Silica produced by rice husk ash is non-toxic, cost effective and also reduces the carbon dioxide emission. Lower environmental impact and easy access of raw material (rice husk) is fueling the growth of precipitated silica in Indian market. 

Growing demand of precipitated silica from end users like food, construction, and personal care industry is driving the growth of Indian precipitated silica market. Precipitated silica is used as anti-caking agent in food industries for absorbing ambient moisture and oils from food particles. In 2017, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated that the food processing sectors will attract as much as US$ 33 billion of investment over the next 10 years, this may fuels the use of precipitated silica for improving the shelf-life of the substrate by providing superior free flowing and anti-caking characteristics. Whereas, rapid population growth with increase in disposable income and high standard of living has also boosted the demand of foot wears and beauty products, subsequently raising the demands of precipitated silica. Silica is used as scrubs in skin cream to reduce oiliness and for making soles in footwear industry. Furthermore, increasing dental problems and government programs such as National Oral Health Programme (NHOP) created awareness for oral care and escalated the use of toothpaste which uses silica as an abrasive agent for healthy and shining teeth. 

Precipitated silica is health hazardous and its frequent use leads to drying effects on hand and its continuous exposure causes nosebleeds. Whereas, the growing health concern and increasing awareness regarding the chemical usages across various application and their impact on human body acts as a restraining factor to the growth of Indian precipitated silica market. Moreover, presence of Carbon black which is the major substitute of precipitated silica also hampers the growth of market. Carbon black is used as reinforcing agents in tires, pads, conveyor belts and automotive wipers. Additionally, silica is more difficult to compound than carbon black which further increases its processing costs for tire manufacturers and limits its applications. 

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Indian precipitated silica market report. In 2019, the market of Indian precipitated silica top 10 companies accounting for xx% of the share. Major players in the Indian precipitated silica market industry outlook are, Madhu Silica Pvt. Ltd., TATA Chemicals Ltd., BRISIL Technologies Private Limited , SATURN ORGANICS PRIVATE Ltd., Supersil Chemicals (I) Pvt. Ltd, Regoj Chemical Industries, Ashtamers Pvt. Ltd., Riddhi Chemicals, Gujarat Multi Gas Base Chemicals Private Limited, Sunshine Industries among others.