The conductive silicone market is segmented by product type (elastomers, resins, gels and others), application (adhesives and sealants, thermal interface material, encapsulants, potting compounds, conformal coatings and others), end-user industry ( automotive, construction, power generation, electrical and electronics and others) and geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America and Middle East and Africa).
What will the sector be made of tomorrow? Let’s see this in more details !
Market overview
The conductive silicone market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% globally during the forecast period. Conductive silicone is a carbon-filled silicone material with good sensing properties. In addition, its electrical resistance is variable by deformation or compression therefore makes it a suitable material for deformation or force development sensors. The increasing application of conductive silicone in consumer electronics and automotive industry has boosted the growth of the market.
Market overview
However, the growing awareness of bio-based chemicals as a substitute and its variable nature of electrical resistance upon compression or deformation is likely to restrain the growth of the market studied. Additionally, unfavorable conditions due to the COVID-19 outbreak have led to a temporary halt in industrial production. Which is also expected to hamper the growth of the market.
Research and technological development in electrically conductive silicone applications in medical devices are likely to provide opportunities for the conductive silicone market over the next five years.
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the conductive silicone market, owing to the growing demand from the automotive and electronics & telecommunications industry in the region.
Main market trends
Thermal interface materials segment will dominate the market
The thermal interface materials segment is the dominant segment as it provides adhesion to a wide range of substrates. And the high thermal conductivity of conductive silicones makes it an ideal material for various applications.
Thermal interface materials are seeing an increase in demand due to their growing application in bonding microprocessors, LED arrays, and other heat-generating components to heat sinks, providing an organized path for heat transfer.
The increase in small electronic systems and increased current densities have resulted in higher operating temperatures, thus driving the development of high performance silicone-based TIMs for heat dissipation. Thus, it is likely to drive the demand for conductive silicone over the forecast period.
Among the types, the silicone elastomers market is expected to show considerable growth in the near future owing to the growing demand from photovoltaic, LED, power generation and distribution industries.
Additionally, electronics and electrical segment is expected to be the fastest growing application segment in terms of volume due to their widespread application as adhesives, sealants and in wire and cable coatings. While acting as an antistatic packaging agent for electronic components. Asia-Pacific countries like China, India, and Vietnam have witnessed strong growth in consumer electronics, which is expected to drive the consumption of conductive silicone in the region during the forecast period.
The Asia-Pacific region to dominate the market ?
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest and fastest growing market for conductive silicone. Factors such as increasing use in electronics, automotive, and power generation industry have driven the requirements for conductive silicone in Asia-Pacific.
Asia-Pacific countries like China, India, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam are witnessing increased investment in power generation projects, which is further boosting the silicone market driver.
The increased importance of antistatic packaging for the purpose of controlling dust during electrical charging and maintaining the functionality and longevity of electrical and electronic devices is expected to increase the use of conductive silicone in electronics. Asia is the largest producer of electrical and electronic devices with countries like China, Japan, India and ASEAN countries.
The Asia-Pacific region to dominate the market ?Thermal interface materials dominate the application segment, as they provide adhesion to a wide range of substrates and the high thermal conductivity of conductive silicones makes them an ideal material for various applications in the automotive industry. The Asian region accounts for more than half of automobile production worldwide with a major contribution from China, Japan, India, South Korea and Thailand.
Growing use in various applications such as encapsulants and potting compounds, conformal coatings, bonding, and printing is expected to boost the conductive silicone market.
Hence, all these market trends are expected to drive the conductive silicone market demand in the region during the forecast period. The global conductive silicone market remains fragmented in nature, with few large players and many small players operating in the market.
Conductive silicone market : Latest news
In September 2021, the conductive silicone market was experiencing steady growth due to its various applications and advantages. Conductive silicone refers to a type of silicone material that exhibits electrical conductivity while retaining the beneficial properties of traditional silicone, such as flexibility, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures.
The conductive silicone market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for electronic devices and the growing need for effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding solutions. Conductive silicone is used in a wide range of industries, including electronics, automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and telecommunications.
In the electronics sector, conductive silicone is utilized for manufacturing key components like keypads, gaskets, connectors, and seals, where its electrical conductivity helps in dissipating static charges and reducing EMI. It is also used in thermal interface materials for heat dissipation in electronic devices.
The automotive industry employs conductive silicone
The automotive industry employs conductive silicone in various applications, including gaskets, connectors, wire and cable assemblies, and sensors, to enhance electrical conductivity and protect against EMI. Additionally, conductive silicone is used in battery technologies for electric vehicles.
In the healthcare sector, conductive silicone is utilized in medical devices, such as electrode pads, probes, and sensors, for applications like electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG).
With the increasing demand for advanced communication systems and wireless devices, the telecommunications industry also relies on conductive silicone for effective EMI shielding in cables, connectors, and antennas.
What will be the future of conductive silicone market ?
Predicting the future of any market, including the conductive silicone market, is challenging as it depends on various factors such as technological advancements, industry trends, regulatory changes, and market demand. However, based on the potential advantages and applications of conductive silicone, it is reasonable to expect several trends in the future:
Increasing Demand in Electronics
The demand for electronic devices is expected to continue growing, driven by emerging technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), wearable devices, and flexible electronics. Conductive silicone’s ability to provide EMI shielding and its flexibility makes it well-suited for these applications, indicating a positive outlook for the market.
Advancements in Automotive Industry
With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies, the automotive industry will require more conductive silicone for applications such as EMI shielding, battery technologies, and connectivity solutions. The market is likely to witness significant growth as automakers embrace these technologies.
Healthcare Applications
The healthcare sector will continue to rely on conductive silicone for medical devices, particularly in areas such as remote patient monitoring, wearable health tech, and medical diagnostics. The increasing emphasis on personalized healthcare and the integration of electronics in medical devices will drive the demand for conductive silicone in this industry.
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Solutions
The market is expected to see a greater focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly conductive silicone materials. There is an ongoing trend towards eco-friendly products, and manufacturers are exploring options for recyclable and biodegradable conductive silicone to meet these demands.
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Solutions
Research and Development
Ongoing research and development efforts will likely lead to the development of advanced conductive silicone materials with improved properties, such as higher conductivity, enhanced durability, and better thermal management. These innovations will further expand the applications of conductive silicone in various industries.
As the saying goes: wait and see! In the meantime, the Ohmvo team remains at your disposal for any questions. And to help you find the solution that will best meet your heating needs.
