Specialty Silica Market Analysis

Specialty Silica Market Overview

Specialty Silica Market Size was valued at USD 6.76 Billion in 2023. The Specialty Silica industry is projected to grow from USD 7.16 Billion in 2024 to USD 11.19 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.75% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). 

Specialty silica is extensively utilized in the automobile sector for tyre manufacturing due to its ability to effectively decrease carbon emissions. It can be categorized into various types, including precipitated silica, fumes silica, fused silica, colloidal silica, and silica gel. The different types of specialty silica are utilized in a wide range of industries, including paints and coatings, electronic components, personal care, and cosmetic items. Furthermore, silica precipitate is utilized in the building and construction industry due to its exceptional tensile strength and resistance to abrasion. Moreover, specialty silica is additionally employed in the electronics sector for manufacturing circuit boards and capacitors. Apart from this, the ongoing trend of adopting electric vehicles and the significant rise in the manufacturing of electric vehicles creates a wide range of opportunities for the tyre industry which eventually influences the specialty silica market demand.

The majority of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.'s non-contracted silica, aplite, diatomaceous earth, clay, perlite, and cellulose products will see price increases in 2023. These products are primarily used in glass, filtration, foundry, paints, coatings, elastomers, roofing, chemicals, leisure, building products, renewable diesel, industrial oil, and other applications.

PQ, a well-known manufacturer of silicates, silicas, and derivative products worldwide, announced today that it has purchased the vanBaerle Group's specialty silicate business in 2024. VanBaerle is a prominent producer of premium silicates, with its headquarters located in Münchenstein, Switzerland. It caters to clients in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. VanBaerle has supplied specialized technology and goods for more than a century, and it is currently the go-to partner for customized silicates used in industrial welding operations.

U.S. Silica announced the release of EverWhite Pigment in 2023, a specially designed and developed pigment. This can be used in conjunction with or as a partial replacement for other inorganic white pigments, such as aluminum trihydrate (ATH) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). EverWhite's raw ingredient is sourced domestically and has a hardness and durability similar to other high-performing (TiO2) pigments. Applications for customers include cementitious materials, quartz worktops, coating formulas, and fillers for plastics.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Specialty Silica Market Trend Insights 

The increased usage of specialty silica in the tyre industry is aiding the market's growth. 

Specialty silica is frequently employed in Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and High-Temperature Vulcanized (HTV) rubber applications that necessitate exceptional mechanical strength and effective electrical insulation. It is highly utilized in industrial rubber goods to minimize hysteresis loss in conveyor belts or to serve as an active filler in coloured rubber particles or in items that require effective contact. Apart from this, specialty silica is primarily utilized in tyre manufacturing for its exceptional purity and minimal moisture absorption, as it possesses greater electrical characteristics compared to rubber goods.

Furthermore, the specialty silica market expansion is being propelled by advancements in tyre technology, specifically the use of silica as a reinforcement material. Moreover, the increasing need for high-performance paints and coatings that offer enhanced durability and weather resistance serves as an additional catalyst for market growth. Along with this, the growing need for personal care items, including toothpaste and cosmetics, is driving the expansion of the said market segment. 

The exceptional reinforcing characteristics of specialty silica improve the mechanical properties and durability of tyres, such as their resistance to abrasion, punctures, and grip on both wet and dry terrain. The increasing need for high-quality tyres, driven by the expanding automotive sector, particularly in emerging economies, is a key factor contributing to the growth of the specialty silica market. The introduction of Specialty Silica in tyres has also been driven by strict restrictions on fuel efficiency and carbon emissions. With this, the increasing need for specialty silica in the tyre sector will persistently propel market expansion during the said forecast period.

Specialty Silica Market Segment Insights 

The specialty silica market is segmented based on product and application. 

Based on product type, the specialty silica market is further segmented into precipitated silica, fumed silica, fused silica and colloidal silica. Out of which the precipitated silica dominates the market share. Precipitated silica is a type of artificial, non-crystalline silica that is created by causing a silicate solution to undergo precipitation. It is accessible in several forms such as powder, granules, and beads, and is extensively utilized in the rubber, coatings, plastics, food & drinks, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. 

Based on application, the specialty silica market is further divided into rubber, agrochemicals, oral care, the food industry, and paints & coatings. Out of which, the rubber segmentation owes the major market share among other segments of the said market. Specialty silica is considered a crucial element in the rubber industry, due to its high modulus, high shear strength, and fatigue resistance. Its extensive application in fuel-efficient tyres is anticipated to contribute to the segment's expansion in the future years. Along with this, the paints and coatings segment is anticipated to experience the most rapid growth rate during the forecast period. 

Specialty Silica Market Region Insights

The specialty silica market is primarily studied across four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. Out of which, the Asia-Pacific region dominates the market share.  

The rising automobile industry in the APAC region has led to an increase in the production of tyres which in turn has a positive impact on the expansion of the specialty silica market. With the presence of major emerging economies like India, China, and South Korea that are using specialty silica at a high market rate owing to developing infrastructure and the electronic industry, the market has seen a steep rise in the growth of the said market segment. Therefore, the APAC market witnesses the provision of bigger opportunities to manufacturers of specialty silica in these kinds of developing economies, as a part of the APAC region amongst other competitive regions across the globe.

Followed by the Asia-Pacific region, the North American region is estimated to exhibit the second-highest revenue share during the forecast period. The countries in the North American region are making substantial investments in the development of cost-effective housing, which is anticipated to drive the need for paints and coatings. Furthermore, specialty silica has a significant presence in the European market, with the need for products in the region being driven by several industries, including pharmaceuticals, automotive, FMCG, and high-end luxury products. The rules about the reduction of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the paints and coatings industry are anticipated to drive the need for environmentally friendly specialty silica in the region during the forecast period. 

Specialty Silica Market Key Players & Competitive Insights 

The specialty silica market is an extremely competitive market dominated by major multinational corporations. As a result of increased product demand in numerous industries and regions, these businesses have increased their Research and development expenditures and prioritized the development of new products. Key competitors in the said industry employ crucial strategies viz partnerships, collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, etc. to expand their business on a note. 

Specialty Silica Market Key Companies Insights 

• Evonik Industries


• Akzo Nobel N.V.


• Cabot Corporation


• Wacker Chemie AG


• PPG Industries, Inc.


• Huber Engineered Materials


• Solvay S.A., W. R. Grace & Co.


• Nalco Holding Company


• Sinosi Group Corporation


• Tosoh Corporation


• Nouryon


• Madhu Silica Pvt Ltd 

Recent Developments

October 2021 - 

In October 2021, CPS Inc. announced that the company was expanding their business operations in the North American region. 

September 2022 - 

In September 2022, Evonik Industries signed a strategic collaboration deal with Porner Group & Phichit BioPower to provide more sustainable precipitated silica to tyre manufacturers.

October 2020 - 

In October 2020, Evonik introduced two new silica-based products called ACEMATT 3400 & ACEMATT 3600, designed to be used for coating applications.