Development Trends of the Silicone Oil Industry
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In the vast field of materials science, silicone oil is emerging prominently, playing a crucial role in numerous industries with its unique properties. Recently, the silicone oil industry has witnessed a series of remarkable development dynamics.
In terms of market scale, the latest research report released by the China National Chemical Information Center indicates that the market size of lubricating silicone oil in China is expected to reach approximately 1.5 billion yuan in 2025, representing a growth of around 30% compared to 2020. Behind this growth lies the strong demand brought about by the vigorous development of multiple industries.
The automotive industry, as the primary application field of lubricating silicone oil, accounts for about 60% of the market share. Currently, the rise of new energy vehicles is particularly notable. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that the sales volume of new energy vehicles has been continuously increasing, with an expected breakthrough of 7 million units in 2024, accounting for more than 30% of the total automobile sales. As an indispensable material in new energy vehicles, the demand for lubricating silicone oil has soared, projected to increase from 500 million yuan in 2020 to 1.5 billion yuan in 2025, with an average annual compound growth rate of 24%.
The electronics and electrical industry has also injected strong growth momentum into the silicone oil market, accounting for 25% of the total market share. With the popularization of 5G communication technology and the increase in smart home appliances and Internet of Things devices, the demand for high-efficiency heat dissipation materials and materials with excellent electrical insulation and weather resistance has surged, making silicone oil a favorite in this field. It is estimated that the market size of lubricating silicone oil in the electronics and electrical industry will grow from 7 billion yuan in 2019 to 13 billion yuan in 2025, with an average annual compound growth rate of 11%.
Regarding production processes, the organosilane condensation method remains the mainstream at present. However, with the increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements and the continuous emergence of new technologies, new production processes such as the hydrolysis condensation method and direct synthesis method are gradually gaining favor in the industry. Enterprises are significantly increasing their investment in technological innovation. For instance, Shandong Dawn Group is intensifying its R&D efforts in the field of special functional silicone oils and plans to launch new products with higher temperature resistance and abrasion resistance to meet high-end application demands. Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Industry is enhancing its competitiveness by acquiring advanced foreign technologies and production lines, focusing on the development of new environmentally friendly silicone oil products suitable for the new energy vehicle sector.
In terms of product types, liquid lubricating silicone oil, due to its excellent fluidity and low volatility, is widely used in electronics, electrical, and automotive industries, accounting for the largest proportion of 60%. Solid lubricating silicone oil and paste lubricating silicone oil are mainly applied to the lubrication of mechanical components in special environments such as high temperature and high pressure.
It is worth noting that with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the development of green silicone oil has become one of the important trends in the industry. New types of silicone oil not only reduce the release of harmful substances but also comply with strict environmental regulations, which is conducive to the sustainable development of enterprises. Currently, the research and development of some new biodegradable silicone oils are making progress and are expected to enter practical application in the next few years.
The silicone oil industry is at a critical juncture where opportunities and challenges coexist. On the demand side, the rapid development of industries such as new energy vehicles and electronics and electrical provides a broad market space. On the supply side, technological innovation and process improvement are the core elements for enterprises to enhance their competitiveness. Moreover, the research and development of green silicone oil under the trend of environmental protection has opened up a new track for the industry's development. Enterprises that can adapt to these trends are bound to gain an advantage in future market competition.