Silica Gel Market Size 2024-2028

The silica gel market size is estimated to increase by USD 497.2 million, at a CAGR of 9.11% between 2023 and 2028.  An influential factor driving market growth is the increasing utilization of silica gel within the food and beverage industry as a food additive. Silica gel contributes to enhancing the flavor and overall quality of a diverse array of products, spanning non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, essential oils, and snacks. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in refining the texture of liquids, with precipitated silica gel being a prevalent additive in various food and beverage items. By effectively eliminating turbid polymers responsible for haziness or cloudiness in liquids, silica gel elevates the visual appeal of the drink, imparting a smoother and more transparent appearance. This widespread adoption of silica gel as a food additive underscores its indispensable role in enhancing the sensory experience and quality standards across the food and beverage sector.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

To learn more about this report, View Report Sample

Market Segmentation

By Application

The market share growth by the oil and gas industry segment will be significant during the forecast period. The oil and gas industry segment of the global market is expected to witness significant growth in market revenue compared to other end-user industries, including petrochemical, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and others, during the forecast period. 

Get a glance at the market contribution of various segments View the PDF Sample

The oil and gas industry segment was valued at USD 157.50 million in 2018. The market is growing due to the increasing demand as it is used for the removal of hydrocarbons and water molecules from natural gas, carbon dioxide, and other petroleum-related gases. It is primarily used in systems where low dew points are required. Desiccants and molecular sieves are commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Because it is highly absorbent silica gel is commonly used as a dehydrating and dehumidifying agent since it is a highly absorbent material. Hence, the above-mentioned factors are expected to increase the demand in the oil and gas industry, which is expected to fuel the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

By Region

For more insights on the market share of various regions Download PDF Sample now!

APAC is estimated to contribute 51% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. China is a major revenue contributor and represents the largest market in APAC. A primary factor for the growth of the regional market is the growing demand from the automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverages, and other end-user industries in developing countries such as China and India. In addition, the rise in disposable income of people is also expected to accelerate the demand for food and beverages, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, which is expected to increase the demand during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

The market is primarily driven by its extensive applications in various industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Paints and Coating, Petrochemical, Food and Beverages, Personal Care, Plastics, Electronic industry, and others. Indicating Silica Gel and Non-Indicating Silica Gel are the two major types of Silica Gel, with the former being used as a moisture indicator and the latter as a desiccant. In the Pharmaceutical industry, Silica Gel is widely used as a pharmaceutical excipient and a food additive. In the Food and Beverages sector, it is used as a desiccant and a food additive in non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, snacks, and turbid polymers. In the Petrochemical industry, it is used as a catalyst and a catalyst support.

Alos, silica gel is also used as a moisture control agent in the Paints and Coating industry, as a desiccant in the Plastics industry, and as an absorbent material in the Electronic industry. Furthermore, it is used as a soil amendment and a desiccant in the Agriculture industry. The demand is expected to increase due to its wide range of applications and its ability to absorb moisture effectively. Silica Gel is also known as Silica dioxide and is widely used as a desiccant in various industries due to its excellent moisture absorption properties. It is available in various forms such as granular, bead, and powder, making it suitable for various applications. The market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to its increasing demand in various end-use industries.

Key Market Driver

One of the key factors driving growth in the market is its increasing use in the food and beverages industry as food additive. Silica gel can improve the flavor and quality of non-alcoholic drinks, liquors, essential oils, and snacks. It also increases the smoothness of liquids, for which additives such as precipitated silica gel are extensively employed in food and beverage items. It eliminates turbid polymers that cause haziness or cloudiness in liquids, making the drink finer and more transparent.

Moreover, many food items and supplements contain silica gel because it prevents clumping, allowing for easier packaging, transit, final ingestion, and flowability. All such advantages are expected to increase the demand, which, in turn, is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Significant Market Trends

The growing use of allochroic silica gel is a market trend that is expected to have a positive impact during the forecast period. Allochroic silica gel is colored, which, upon absorbing moisture from the environment, changes its color. The increased use in various industrial applications (such as power systems) has been a positive trend for manufacturers in the global market in recent years. In transformers, for instance, these gels play an important role in ensuring that product parts remain moisture-free.

Further, blue allochroic silica gel, which is the most commonly used color type in transformers, changes to shallow blue after absorbing moisture and turns pink when it has absorbed high quantities of moisture. This color change indicates moisture content in the machine part, thus allowing easy preventive maintenance and observation and correction of defects for transformer manufacturers and customers. Such factors are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Major Market Challenge

The health hazards associated with the use will be a major challenge for the market during the forecast period. Silica gel finds extensive use as a desiccant in various food products, owing to its ability to adsorb humidity and prevent any moisture damage to packaged food. Although silica gel is non-toxic when ingested in small quantities, its increasing use as a food additive in the food and beverage industry can lead to the accumulation of the product in the body resulting in various health problems.

Also, long-term exposure to silica dust is a health hazard and causes silicosis, and manufacturers have to spend heavily on protective equipment for their employees. This also makes it difficult for manufacturers to lower their operating and production costs. Hence, such factors may pose a major challenge, which may hamper the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Market Customer Landscape

The market research report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market research and growth, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth and forecasting strategies.

 Market Customer Landscape

Who are the Major Market companies?

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market. 

Capitol Scientific Inc.: The company offers silica gels under the brand CapitolBrand. Also, the company offers scientific and technology products.

The research report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 15 market companies, including:

• AGC Inc.
• BASF SE
• Cilicant Pvt. Ltd.
• Clariant International Ltd.
• Desiccare Inc.
• DuPont de Nemours Inc.
• Ecovyst Inc.
• Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd.
• GeeJay Chemicals Ltd.
• Hengye Inc.
• International Silica Gel Co. Ltd.
• Merck KGaA
• Natland International Corp.
• Nouryon Chemicals Holding BV
• OSAKA SODA CO. Ltd.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Segment Overview

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2024 to 2028, as well as historical data from 2018 to 2022 for the following segments.

• Application Outlook
  • Oil and gas industry
  • Petrochemical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Consumer goods
  • Cosmetics and others
• Prouct Type Outlook
  • Indicative silica gel
  • Non-indicative silica gel
• Region Outlook 
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Chile
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

You may also interested in below market reports:

• Specialty Silica Market by Application, Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis
• Gel Socks Market Analysis Europe, APAC, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, India, Germany, UK - Size and Forecast
• Sol-gel Coatings Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, South America - US, China, Germany, UK, France - Size and Forecast

Market Analyst Overview:

The market is diverse and integral across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, and shipping. Highly porous and non-crystalline, silica gels are renowned for their adsorbent properties, used widely in chromatographic separations like column and thin layer chromatography, and in high-performance liquid chromatography. They play a critical role in moisture control and mold protection in packaging, favored for their effectiveness in maintaining the shelf life of pharmaceutical drugs, nutritional products, and non-alcoholic beverages. Innovations like bio-based silica gels sourced from renewable raw materials such as rice husk ash and bamboo are expanding market horizons. Applications range from chromatography and water filtration to serving as catalyst carriers and separators in biotechnology. With growing trends in e-commerce and logistics, silica gel continues to be indispensable in ensuring product integrity and safety in the global packaging industry.

In addition, the encompasses a wide array of applications across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and shipping. Known for its adsorbent properties, silica gel is crucial in chromatographic separation methods like column and gas chromatography, and in high-performance liquid chromatography. It plays a vital role in moisture control and foul odor prevention in shipping and packaging, safeguarding products like effervescent tablets and non-alcoholic beverages. Innovations include bio-based silica gels derived from renewable sources, offering sustainable alternatives. Different types, such as Type A, Type B, and Type C silica gels, cater to specific needs in the pharmaceuticals industry, providing mold and mildew protection in granular or packet form. With applications in e-commerce and evolving packaging trends, silica gel continues to be indispensable for maintaining product integrity and meeting stringent regulatory standards worldwide.

View PDF Sample

What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the market between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market  size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market across APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• A thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market companies

We can help! Our analysts can customize this market research report to meet your requirements. 

Get in touch