Europe Fumed Silica Market size crossed USD 332.5 million in 2020 and is anticipated to reflect a CAGR of 4.1% between 2021 and 2027. The rising need for improved pharmaceutical production processes and increasing consumption of beauty & personal care products will act as driving factors for the market revenue.

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Fumed silica is finely divided amorphous silicon dioxide particles produced at high temperatures. The fusion of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica into chainlike, branched, three-dimensional secondary particles form into an aggregate of tertiary particles. The resultant powder compound possesses a high surface area and extremely low bulk density.

It is used as an anti-caking agent and thickening agent in powders. Similar to silica gel, fumed silica serves as a desiccant. The product is commonly used in cosmetics owing to its light-diffusing properties and finds application in toothpaste as a light abrasive material. Other uses of fumed silica include viscosity modification in paints & coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and unsaturated polyester resin and filler in silicone elastomer. In addition, the product also has potential application as an efficient anti-aging coating for asphalt pavements.

The superior characteristics of the product to behave as a thickening agent, rheology modifier, thixotropic agent, anti-setting agent, and viscosity controller renders it a highly versatile product and can be utilized in daily use products in various manufacturing industries. Fumed silica aids the improvement and fabrication of quality products by enhancing the production processes in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints & coatings, adhesives & sealants, and paints & elastomers industries.

On the other hand, the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted every aspect of the industrial value chain. In 2020, product consumption witnessed a decline of over 4 percent, which has had a severe toll on the business profitability of industry players in the value chain. The downfall in the revenue generation can be attributed to the weak consumer demand, declined production output, unavailability of raw materials, disrupted distribution channel, and lack of required workforce within production facilities. However, the government initiatives to boost the regional economy is expected to support the revival of the market.

Europe Market, By Product

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The hydrophilic product segment dominated more than 64% of the Europe fumed silica market share in 2020 due to its broad applications in several industries. Hydrophilic fumed silica is not treated as hydrophobic silica which makes it a relatively cost-effective product. This grade of fumed silica holds the ability to completely disperse in water or soaked by water. The superior properties of hydrophilic fumed silica allow it to exhibit high insulation characteristics at elevated temperatures. The product is highly favored for non-polar resin system usage and for products where shelf life is not much of a concern. Additionally, hydrophilic fumed silica is used for silicone thickening and reinforcing as a glidant for food & beverages and industrial powders.

Europe Market, By Application

The application segments, paints, coatings & inks sector is estimated to witness over 4.6% CAGR till 2027. The high product demand from the industry segment is owing to the several benefits achieved upon the addition of fumed silica in the aforementioned products.

Fumed silica prevents the settling of heavy pigments and enhances the sag resistance in coatings. It also safeguards the coating surface against scratches and improves the energy dissipation ability of the product. Since hydrophobic fumed silica is widely used in paints & coatings to prevent the transmission of water from the surface to the substrate below, it generated significant demand from this market segment. It is highly efficient in preventing run-off of paints & coatings from vertical surfaces. The use of fumed silica also mitigates the risk of corrosion corresponding to paints & coatings. Additionally, the product is consumed in also used to improve the flow characteristics of inks.

Competitive Industry Landscape

Some of the key manufacturers of fumed silica in Europe include Evonik Industries AG, Cabot Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, Kemitura A/S, Orisil Ltd., Tokuyama Corporation, Hubei xingfa chemicals group co., Ltd., Lawrence Industries, Reade International Corp., and Flexicon Corporation.

Major industry participants are involved in several strategic initiatives, such as production capacity expansion, joint ventures, geographical extension, mergers, and acquisition in order to gain a competitive advantage over others and improve the respective market shares. For instance, in June 2019, Evonik Industries AG expanded its fumed silica production capacity and started the production activities at its Antwerp plant.