The global sodium silicate market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.61% from 2022-2030 and reach a valuation of US$ 11.18 Billion by 2030. The market is expected to see average annual growth rate shifting between 3-8% over the forecast period. 

The key factors driving market growth include the rising demand for sodium silicate in the water treatment industry and the consistent growth of major end-use industries. Concrete treatment and the construction sector both employ sodium silicate in large quantities for the production of mortars and refractory cement. It is used in detergent production to lower the surface tension of the final product, making it easier to effectively remove dirt and debris from surfaces. It is also employed in metal and car repair, dissolved and particulate lead reduction in water, and the production of toilet paper, paperboard laminates, and paper towels in the paper and pulp sector. 

Sodium silicate is also used in the beauty and cosmetics industry to manufacture lotions that reduce wrinkles. Other applications of the chemical include their use as a deflocculant for manufacturing casting slips, uses in the ceramic industry, use in the refractoriness business as an air-setting bond, and for a variety of things before enameling. 

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 Competitive Landscape:

The top 8 players in the market collectively hold only about 25-35% of the market share. Some of the key players in the market are BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, CEICH S.A., Nippon Chemical Industrial, and Merck Millipore. Key players are embracing various approaches such as acquisitions, mergers, and product launches to survive in the highly competitive market. 

Current strategies adopted by key market players are:

• In November 2017, BASF SE opened a new production facility in Shanghai, China, with a focus on manufacturing chemical catalysts. The action was taken to both strengthen the company’s regional presence and increase production capacity to fulfil the growing demand for chemical catalysts.
• Advanced Refining Technologies (ART), W.R. Grace & Co.’s joint venture with Chevron Products Company, declared in May 2015 that it would invest nearly USD 135 million to build a residue hydro processing catalyst facility in its manufacturing plant located in Lake Charles, Los Angeles. The facility would focus on manufacturing sodium silicate, additives, and fluid cracking catalysts.
• In August 2017, Nippon Chemical Industrial expanded its presence in the Southeast Asia region when it founded a new firm, JCI, in Thailand through a joint venture with local funding. The corporation wanted to grow its market share in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, with this development.
• In April 2019, BASF invested in the range of double-digit million euros in the upgrading of its silica plant at the Düsseldorf-Holthausen location. The investment would focus on the modernization and enhancement of the company’s current facilities over the next ten years. This investment would help the company bolster its market dominance in Western European markets and assist in meeting the growing demand for silicates.

Factors leading to the increasing interest of players in the sodium silicate market are:

Rising demand for sodium silicate in major end-use Industries

The market is expected to benefit from the high global demand for sodium silicate across a wide range of application areas, including paper & pulp, rubber, detergent, and food and beverage. Silica gels and silica sols are expected to see increased demand in a variety of sodium silicate applications, including paints and coatings, plastics, and ink. This chemical is employed in the automotive sector as a crack sealer for repairing resonators, exhaust system joints, tailpipes, mufflers, and other parts.  Beer and wine are clarified with sodium silicate flocculant, which precipitates colloidal particles. In aquaculture hatcheries, sodium silicate gels are employed as a substrate for the growth of algae.

Increasing demand for sodium silicate in water treatment

In wastewater treatment facilities, sodium silicate is employed as an iron flocculant and alum coagulant. Larger accumulates are produced when sodium silicate glues to colloidal molecules and sinks to the bottom of the water column. Earlier, sequestrants and corrosion inhibitors have been employed for treating drinking water. Due to the properties of sodium silicate and its reasonable prices, this chemical has been widely used in water treatment plants in various industries.

Factors restraining market growth

Hazardous effects of Sodium Silicate

Products containing sodium silicate are often offered in concentrations of 20% to 60%. The human body suffers serious harm when exposed to sodium silicate in high quantities. Human mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, lungs, skin, and eyes get irritated when exposed to solutions containing high quantities of sodium silicate. In pulp & paper and detergent applications, sodium silicate can also be swapped out for other pH modifiers such as sodium carbonate and Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). Therefore, the hazardous side effects of sodium silicate and the availability of alternatives for some applications may limit the market's expansion.

The sodium silicate market witnessed a decline during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic hindered the growth prospects of the sodium silicate market, particularly as the demand declined across the badly impacted pulp and paper industry. On the other hand, the demand for sanitation products including such as sanitizers, detergents, handwashes, and tissue paper surged in 2021, which led to increased demand from detergent producers. 

Due to ongoing supply chain problems in the market and production cuts by players as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sodium silicate market is expected to continue to experience supply constraints in H2 2020. Long-term supply risks could also persist in the sodium silicate market due to the lack of significant capacity expansions by leading market players. 

Market Segmentation

By Type:

Based on type, the liquid sodium silicate segment accounted for more than 85% market share in 2021. With liquid sodium silicate still part of different study lines across a variety of labs and research institutes it is expected to see sustainable growth. For vendors competing in the global liquid sodium silicate market, newer opportunities for market innovation. 

By Grade:

In terms of grade, the alkaline segment dominated with a market share of 80.8% in 2021. Alkaline sodium silicates have several properties that are useful and not shared by other alkaline salts. Due to these properties as well as their low cost, alkaline sodium silicates find extensive use across a range of applications including coagulant aids, anti-corrosives, catalyst bases, deflocculates, chemicals, zeolites, adhesives, detergents, components in cleaning compounds, cement, binders, and special coatings. Many challenges related to purification and treatment in industrial and chemical processes can be effectively and affordably resolved by using the various features and functional traits of soluble silicates.

By Form: 

Based on form, the crystalline form segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. In 2021, the crystalline segment dominated and is anticipated to continue to grow at a CAGR higher than global average over the forecast period. This is ascribed to the use of crystalline sodium silicate use in areas such as floor cleaning, laundry, dairy, metal, and fireproofing. It is also utilized in antibacterial compounds, deinking paper, pesticides, fungicides, and washing carbonated beverage bottles. 

By Material:

Based on material, the market is segmented into sodium oxide and silica. In 2021, the silica segment held approximately 75% of the market and expected to grow at CAGR of 4.6% over the forecast period. 

By End Use:

Based on end use, the market is segmented into residential, industrial, and commercial segments. The industrial segment held the highest share in 2021, thanks to the high use of sodium silicate in industrial applications such as soil stabilization, concrete hardening, and cement refractories. The construction sector also accounts for a significant share of the market. 

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By Application:

In terms of application, the detergent category accounted for nearly 33.8 % of the market in 2021 and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.  Sodium silicates are used in a variety of detergents, including the detergents used for metal cleaning, textile processing, laundry, de-inking paper, dishwashers, dairy equipment, bottles, floors, and locomotives. Synthetic detergent formulations contain sodium silicates to reduce corrosion and alkali attack. Without using the product, detergent formulas would be harsh for washers made of zinc or aluminum. 

Fine China and porcelain embellishments may also have their surfaces glazed with synthetic detergent composition silicate. Therefore, the increasing demand from the soap and detergent sector is expected to support the growth of the sodium silicate market during the next several years.

Segmentation Overview

The Global Sodium Silicate market is sub-segmented into:

By Type 

• Solid
• Liquid

By Grade

• Neutral
• Alkaline

By Form

• Crystalline
• Anhydrous

By Material

• Sodium Oxide
• Silica

By End User 

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial

By Application 

• Detergent
• Paper Bonding
• Water Treatment
• Construction Material
• Optical Glass
• Bonding Insulation Material
• Wood Materials
• Metal Sheets
• Fabrication of Foundry Molds
• Silica Gel Packets Moisture Control
• Food Preservation
• Passive Fire Control
• Stone Consolidation
• Welding Electrodes
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Western Europe
    • The UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Rest of Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
    • Poland
    • Russia
    • Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Rest of South America