Silicone in Car Care Products Market

Market Overview

The global silicone in car care products market was valued at USD 219.60 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 286.53 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period (2022-2030). 

Silicones are used in spray wax to alter or improve a specific feature of another substance. Silicones form water-in-oil emulsions, reduce the size of emulsion particles, and stabilize emulsions. They also help wax products spread and cover more evenly. In order to care for automobile leather, silicon offers long-lasting scratch resistance, water repellency, and lubricant properties. A silicone coating to leather improves its malleability and texture, making it more enjoyable to touch. In addition, specialty leather is made of silicone rubbers, which are highly elastic, flexible, and less likely to degrade over time. The seats and the dashboard are made of artificial silicone leather, which provides a more durable appearance and is much more resistant to UV exposure, temperature changes, and aging. Numerous silicone-based car care products, such as car shine, car wax, glass cleaning products, interior/exterior care products, and wheels and tire care products, have been invented due to the development of new technologies.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Improving Consumer Conscience about Automatic Maintenance and Repair

Due to its various uses, silicone auto-care solutions are becoming increasingly popular for vehicle maintenance and repair. Spray wax, polishes, protectants, leather and vinyl care, tire care, plastic care, and other items are included in the category of car care products. Luxury cars and sports utility vehicles are the principal users of these items. The increased popularity of historic automobiles among consumers in recent years is anticipated to boost demand for silicone car care solutions even further. The need for premium-class vehicle maintenance and protective covering has increased due to rising vehicle sales, particularly for aesthetics and interior cleaning applications.

A specialized cleaning agent is needed for routine vehicle maintenance to maintain the car's current. Silicone-based waxes and polishes are used to give gloss to the vehicle's surface and are more resilient than conventional auto care waxes and polishes. The surface begins to tarnish and lose its shine with time. Silicone-based waxes offer a layer of protection to the surface to guard against minor dings and scratches. They shield the surface and make the car appear brand new. In order to flatten the surface, polishes use an abrasive action to scrape away fragile layers of the top coat's barrier. The surface has been smoothed to guarantee even light reflection and a glossy appearance.

Market Restraint

Strict environmental Laws

Several different regulatory bodies govern the use of silicone. For instance, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricts the use of silicone materials, specifically octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), which are used in car care products, mainly spray wax, leather care, and other car wash products, as well. The maximum allowed concentration of these silicone components in the items they are added to is 0.1% by weight.

Silicone polymers are added to car care products as anti-foaming, foam control in detergents, dewatering, and perfume release agents. Since D5 plays a significant role in car care goods, producers incorporate it into nearly every product. However, because of the restrictions placed regarding the use of D5 in automobile care and other products, producers choose to substitute short-linear silicones with mixtures of hydrocarbon instead of the more expensive D5.

Market Opportunities

Product Demand for Do-It-Yourself Car Care

The demand from middle-class families worldwide has increased, particularly in emerging economies like China, India, Brazil, Argentina, and others, which has led to a rapid expansion of the automobile market. The automotive maintenance and repair (M&R) sector has risen in the past few years. Automotive M&R is very expensive, especially for automobiles in the luxury and sports categories. The average American spends USD 397 annually on vehicle maintenance and repairs (M&R).

Millennials between the ages of 18 and 34 pay an average of USD 466 in M&R annually. Due to this, the population has chosen DIY methods to lower the M&R cost of the vehicle. Additionally, the COVID-19 lockdown that was implemented forced people to stay at home and perform tasks like DIY automobile M&R. Long lockdowns caused the car to degrade and fall into disrepair. This increased demand for DIY guides and silicone-based DIY auto maintenance products in several geographical areas.

Regional Analysis

The global silicone in car care products market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global silicone in car care products market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.60% during the forecast period. A high rate of growth in the Asia-Pacific silicone in vehicle care products market is due to the robust expansion of the automotive industry. China, India, and Japan hold a sizeable portion of the worldwide auto market among the biggest automakers in the area. Due to the enormous demand from the expanding population and the growing consumer trend of owning an automobile, the developing economies of India and China are anticipated to lead the expansion in the Asia-Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region is a significant contributor to the silicone market for car care products due to its large auto production and consumption. It is anticipated that the penetration will expand due to significant vehicle manufacturers in the region, supported by resource availability and a competent workforce over the forecast period.

Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.90%, generating USD 77.95 million over the forecast period. Due to the region's booming automotive industry, the market for silicone in car care products in Europe is predicted to expand over the forecast period. The region serves as a global center for automobile manufacturing thanks to several large multinational automakers, which are anticipated to increase demand for silicone in car care products. The increase in electric vehicle sales is anticipated to create a competitive environment in the European automobile industry. However, the demand for silicone in car care products for automotive applications may be negatively impacted by changes in trade between Europe and the U.S. due to the tariffs placed by both parties on automotive imports.

North America is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Due to rising auto sales and rising consumer knowledge of the importance of vehicle maintenance, North America is seen as having a mature market for car care products. A wide range of silicone applications in automobile care products is also foreseen due to the rising use of compact trucks as family cars and the rising demand for luxury vehicles. The region is advantageous for automobile manufacturing because of its strong industrial sector, high end-user demand, and rising per capita income. Shortly, the market growth is projected to be boosted by the U.S.'s strong manufacturing base and Mexico's rapidly expanding automotive industry.

Brazil, Argentina, and Columbia are the key market drivers for silicone in car care products in Central and South America. The demand for wax and polish is significant in this region because consumers tend to regularly maintain their automobiles, emphasizing preserving vehicle gloss and paint. Additionally, the demand for silicone products in auto care for aftermarket maintenance of vehicles has increased in recent years due to the increasing development in premium-class sedan and passenger car sales. Due to the expanding economies of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and Africa, silicone in the auto care products market is predicted to expand significantly throughout the projected period.

Segmental Analysis

The global silicone in car care products market is segmented by product, application, and end-user.

On the Basis of Product

Based on product, the global silicone in car care products market is bifurcated into silicones and specialty silicones.

The specialized silicone segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.45% during the projected period. To enhance slide, mar resistance, leveling, and foam control, specialty silicones, including silicone additives, are added to paints and coatings. The constantly expanding automobile sector has fueled consumer demand for many long-lasting color options for cars. These silicones fill in the crevasses and produce a paint finish that is flawless and durable. Furthermore, silicone-based paints are appropriate to be applied on the surface for greater longevity because bumpers frequently undergo paint jobs. Another type of specialized silicone is silicone aerosol, used on dashboards since they are more vulnerable to daily wear and tear than other interior components. They maintain the cockpit's cleanliness by restoring the gloss and enhancing the color.

Silicones are primarily employed in polish, wax, or protectant formulas to alter or improve a particular property of another substance. Since silicone possesses lubricant properties, it enhances surface slip quality and guards against surface damage, such as scratches and swirl marks, caused by wiping with an uneven substrate. Additionally, silicones are employed in the production of water-in-oil emulsions, the reduction of emulsion particle size, the stabilization of emulsions, and the enhancement of wax product spreading and coverage. As a result, silicone is used to produce automotive care products such as shine, spray wax, and leather care. These factors are expected to fuel the need for silicone in car care products during the projected period.

On the Basis of Application

Based on application, the global silicone in car care products market is bifurcated into paint preservatives, polishes, spray wax, leather and vinyl care, tire care products, plastic care, and others.

The paint preservatives segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.10% over the forecast period. Silicone oil-based paint preservatives give the surfaces they are applied to, like rubber polymer, a glossy and protective coating. Paints and varnishes with silicone additives are employed on automotive parts like tires, vinyl tops, dashboards, upholstery, rubber sealing strips, polymer bumpers, and others. Silicones used as paint preservatives increase the durability of automotive coatings and stop surfaces from developing bubbles. So, the demand for silicones as paint preservatives is anticipated to increase during the forecast period.

By removing difficult grime with routine car washing, silicone-based polishes protect and lengthen the life of the paint on the vehicle's exterior. The solution cleans away oxidized paint, calms the surface by eliminating scratches and swirl marks, and conditions the paintwork to stop paint dryness, cracking, and peeling. If left untreated, road tar, dirt, grease, and other particles etch into the paint, rusting the paintwork and causing corrosion. Polishes are used to prevent corrosions produced by the elements mentioned above from occurring in the paintwork. This is anticipated to increase demand for silicone-based automotive polishes.

Spray wax offers an extra layer of defense against the elements, including UV rays, salt, bird droppings, tree sap, harsh weather, and industrial and vehicle pollution. Spray wax with a silicone base can protect the paint from these factors, which destroy the clear coat and reveal the underlying paint. This is anticipated to fuel demand for spray wax in the auto maintenance sector over the forecast period.

On the Basis of End-User

Based on end-user, the global silicone in car care products market is bifurcated into DIY and professional/commercial.

The DIY segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.55% during the forecast period. Increased global spending on car maintenance and repair (M&R) has exposed the populace who own vehicles to the idea of do-it-yourself (DIY). People worldwide have chosen to perform maintenance and repairs because professional M&R services are expensive. In addition, numerous manufacturers have released user-friendly, simple-to-use items for car care in response to the DIY movement's explosive rise. During COVID-19, many garages and other facilities were shut down to stop the virus's spread, prompting car owners to choose DIY vehicle maintenance. Vehicle owners have been reluctant to attend car garages after the lifting of lockdown in some nations, raising the demand for DIY products and the DIY sector.

In recent years, the demand for silicone-based automobile care solutions has increased due to the availability of specialized auto repair services. The need for silicone-based car care solutions has increased due to the automobile industry's explosive growth. The need for silicones in car care products has been driven by professionals or commercial users servicing every vehicle segment, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and others. This demand is anticipated to rise throughout the forecast period. Due to the lack of M&R experience among millennials in growing nations like China and India, most people choose the professional/commercial automobile care category. Additionally, selling used cars is a cost-effective practice in these developing nations, driving demand for professional and commercial products with silicone as an ingredient.

Recent Developments

• December 2021- The Research Council of Norway gave Elkem NOK 16 million to create a novel model for silicon synthesis that eliminates all direct CO₂ emissions.
• March 2021- Turtle Wax, Inc. unveiled its graphene-based hybrid ceramic paste in India. It incorporates silicon dioxide ceramic and graphene technology to offer UV protection, heat dissipation, excellent gloss, water repellency, slickness, chemical resistance, and heat dissipation for maintaining the vehicle's surface finish.