The market size for silicone is expanding fast. By 2027, the global silicone sealant market is expected to grow to a whopping $5 billion. The increased demand for silicone sealants is no surprise, considering their versatility and resistance to the elements. Silicone sealant entered the world of manufacturing in the 80s.

Since then, it’s become a staple in construction, home repair, and more. It’s known for its unique bonding properties and flexibility. It’s also a useful material for its durability. Unlike other adhesives, silicone sealant is resistant to chemicals, moisture, and weathering.

Silicone sealant adheres to many surfaces, like glass, metal, ceramics, stone, and more. In construction, it's often used for sealing, bonding, and insulation. However, it's also used by a wide range of other industries. There are five main market segments that benefit from silicone materials the most, and some of them may surprise you! Read on to find out the top industries using silicon sealant.

Energy

Silicone products play a big role in the energy industry. It’s estimated that over 960,000 tons of silicone are purchased globally in the renewable energy sector. Silicone is often used as conductive adhesives and encapsulants in the creation of solar panels.

Their resistance to UV rays, high temperatures, and transparency help improve panel efficiency. Because silicone sealants can last up to 20 years once cured, they also make panels last longer. Silicone is used in 90% of solar panel installations.

They're also used as bonding agents in wind turbines and as insulators in underground cables. They're useful in the transmission of electricity for several reasons. In addition to a longer life span than other insulators, silicone is also fireproof. Silicone’s tight and durable seal on electrical wiring helps prevent power outages and electric fires.

Automotive

Silicone sealant is a useful tool for car repair. Its ability to form an airtight seal over areas makes it ideal for sealing up holes, leaks, and cracks in the car. Silicone products like gasket maker are often used to seal up engines, ducts, valves, transmissions, and more. Outside of individual use, the application of silicone is used throughout the process of automotive manufacturing. There are three key places silicone is used in building cars:

• Multiple layers of silicone are used to insulate automotive spark plug wires. You can also find silicone tubing in automotive intake systems, especially in forced induction engines.
• Silicon rubber is also used to make coatings and sealants for airbags. Because it’s so strong, this material is an optimal sealant for high impact airbags.
• Because of their protective properties, silicone can be found throughout the exterior and interior of cars. Silicone forms a sort of “shield” over prone areas of the car, helping it last longer and protecting against UV rays, moisture, dirt, and wind.

Construction

This ranking wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the building and construction industry. Silicone adhesives and sealants are a key part of any contractor’s toolkit. One of the primary uses of silicone sealant is in sealing joints and gaps in buildings.

It fills and seals gaps between different materials, such as glass, metal, and concrete. This makes silicone sealant ideal for preventing leaks, drafts, and moisture penetration. Silicone is used in construction activities ranging from home repair to industrial building.

If you're curious about the many ways silicone sealant is used in the construction industry, we cover the topic often on our blog. But just to review, here are a few ways silicone is used in construction applications:

• Door and window installation
• Construction of sanitary areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms
• Waterproofing/insulating floors and walls
• Flat roof coatings
• Pool and spa maintenance

Aerospace

In the aerospace industry, having reliable and strong materials is crucial to keep large objects like planes safe in the air. Designing and engineering aircraft is no easy job. You need to keep the safety of both crew members and passengers in mind. With so much at stake, every vulnerable part of the plane needs to be protected. This is where silicone sealant's toughness and low chemical reactivity come into play.

Any sealant used in the air needs to be able to withstand high speeds, the shock of landing, and vibrations. Silicone sealant is tough enough to handle these things, and it can also be used as a protective barrier inside the plane. Silicone drowns out the noise and shields passengers from vibration to provide comfort and safety. You can find silicone sealant in the cockpit, as sealing on engines and gas turbines, and along doors and outer windows.

Consumer Products

Did you know many kitchen products are sealed with food-safe silicone sealant? Silicone sealant is a key ingredient in many common household items. The fact that it’s heat and bacteria-resistant make silicone sealants ideal for kitchen use. You can also spot silicone in collapsable food containers, oven mitts, baking molds, and more.

Silicone can even be found in the beauty industry. Silicone polymers are often found in many personal care items. If you check the ingredients list on a product, you’ll see silicone in deodorants, hair and skin products, and makeup. Silicone gives these products their silky, smooth feel while eliminating odor or skin irritation. While the consumer products industry doesn’t rely on silicone as much as others like construction, it still plays an important role in the integrity of many products.

Which countries use silicone sealant the most?

As countries outside North America expand construction and building plans, there are increased chances for growth in the silicone market. Regions with growing urbanization have more ongoing construction projects, so the application of silicone is most common in those countries. Southeast Asia is experiencing a boom in urbanization, making it one of the fastest-growing markets for silicone sealants. It has a growth rate of 6% by the forecast period of 2019- 2029.

However, the countries importing the most silicone are China, South Korea, and Germany. The rest of the Middle East, Africa, and other smaller European countries use less silicone sealant.

Who makes the most silicone sealant?

Out of the five key leaders in the silicone sealant industry itself, four of them are American-owned. This includes the corporations 3M, H.B. Fuller, Avery Dennison, and Momentive. The fifth, Henkel, has its headquarters in Germany. Henkel also stands out from the others because it’s not explicitly an adhesive manufacturer. Rather, they mainly sell chemical cleaning and personal care products.

Silicone Depot Has Sealants For Any Industry

Silicone sealant has a wide range of usability among many different industries. From construction to aerospace or even art, silicone sealant has a function in countless sectors. The best suppliers of silicone sealant will have a wide range of products that can be used in different industries and scenarios. At Silicone Depot, we carry a whole catalog of different sealants. We’ve got something for every industry, whether you need a food-safe, neutral cure, or mildew-resistant sealant.

No matter the sector you work in, reasonable prices are always appreciated. We work hard to keep the quality high and the prices low on our sealants. With free shipping on online orders