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Silicone polymers or siloxanes are versatile materials consisting of an alternating
silicon-oxygen backbone, typically with aliphatic or aromatic side groups.
Other pendant side-chains, such as hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino or epoxy groups,
may also be used. Silicones can be classified as fluids, elastomers or resins
depending on their molecular weight, the extent of cross-linking and the type
and number of organic groups attached to the silicon atoms.
In 2005, the global silicone/silane market was valued at approximately $9.3
billion, a significant increase from $7.3 billion in 2002. Most of the growth
in consumption occurred in China.
Over the next five years, global consumption is expected to grow at an average
rate of 5.0% per year with the most rapid growth expected in Asian countries
other than Japan—particularly China—because of rapidly growing,
export-oriented economies, while average to above-average growth may occur
in Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East. These markets were
initially served by imports from Japan, the United States and Western Europe,
although significant new Asian capacity is available, particularly in China.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of silicones:
The world’s largest silicone producers vary significantly in the percentage
of total sales represented by their silicone businesses and in the degree to
which they may be back-integrated into raw materials. Five companies—Dow
Corning, Momentive Performance Materials (formerly General Electric’s
Advanced Materials business), Wacker, Rhodia and Shin-Etsu—represent
more than 80% of the global market; concentration has increased with recent
mergers. All of these producers see the silicones business as global, although
they vary in their current global participation.
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