Silicone surfactants, silicone polyether copolymers, are that are extensively used in agriculture, textiles, detergents, and petroleum refineries, owing to their surface properties. They are commonly used as wetting agents in the making of pesticides and herbicides to enable easy spreadability on selected crops and leaves.
Regional Insights
Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global silicone surfactant market during the forecast period, 2019–2026, owing to the increasing use of these surfactants in construction and agriculture industries. Asia Pacific’s growing construction industry is projected to boost the region’s silicone surfactant market. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, India will require USD 777.73 billion by 2022 for infrastructure development to cope with the country’s growing population. Moreover, government initiatives such as ‘Housing for All’ and ‘Smart City Mission’ are also expected to positively impact the construction industry.
North America is expected to contribute a significant share in the global silicone surfactant market, driven by the accelerated growth of the automotive industry where silicone surfactants are used to improve shine, gloss, and beading in various automotive components such as bumpers, glass, metals. According to a report published by the American Automotive Policy Council in 2016, America exported more than US$ 692 billion vehicles and parts in 2016.
On account of Europe’s growing personal care and cosmetics industry, the region is projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period as silicon surfactants find extensive application in personal care and beauty products to improve softness, shine, and emollience. According to Cosmetic Europe – The Personal Care Association, the personal care, and cosmetic market was valued around USD 32.81 billion in 2016.
Segmental Insights
The global silicone surfactant market has been segmented on the basis application, end-use industry, and geography. On the basis of application, the market has been segmented into emulsifiers, foaming agents, dispersants, wetting agents, defoaming agents, and others. The wetting agent segment is expected to lead the global silicone surfactant market during the forecast period, 2019–2016. The segment’s growth can be attributed to the extensive use of silicone surfactants as wetting agents in textile, ink & coating, polyurethane foam, and other industries.
Wetting agents enable the even spread of a fluid – an especially beneficial attribute for pesticides to facilitate effective wetting of foliage. Therefore, the increasing use of pesticides and herbicides is expected to propel the growth of the silicone surfactant market, globally.
By end-use industry, the silicone surfactant market has been segmented into textile, paints & coating, construction, personal care, agriculture, and others. Silicone surfactants are majorly used in the manufacturing of polyurethane foams, which in turn are used as insulation in buildings. Growth of the construction industry is anticipated to drive silicone surfactant market growth in the coming years. As per a report published by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the global construction market is predicted to reach USD 8 trillion by 2030, with an average annual rate of 3.9%.