In 2025, the global market for gas-phase silicon dioxide is ushering in a new round of technological innovation and industrial upgrading driven by emerging industries such as new energy and semiconductors. As the "hidden champion" in the field of nanomaterials, fumed silica has demonstrated irreplaceable value in high-end coatings, photovoltaic adhesives, power batteries, and other fields due to its high specific surface area, strong adsorption, and rheological control ability. Chinese enterprises are accelerating their breakthrough in this track, with a localization rate expected to exceed 40%, becoming an important force in the global market.
The demand for new energy has exploded, and photovoltaic adhesives and battery materials have become growth engines
The application of gas-phase silica in the photovoltaic industry continues to deepen. As the core additive of photovoltaic adhesive, its high specific surface area and nanoscale effect significantly enhance the rheological and mechanical properties of the adhesive, extending the service life of photovoltaic modules. Data shows that the demand for gas-phase silica in the global photovoltaic industry will increase by 25% year-on-year in 2025, with hydrophobic products accounting for over 60%. In the field of power batteries, gas-phase silica is used for thickening and thixotropic control of polyurethane adhesives, solving the problems of sagging and stability in battery packaging processes. Hubei Huifu Nanomaterials Co., Ltd. and other enterprises have achieved intelligent adjustment of adhesive viscosity through the "golden ratio" technology, promoting the improvement of power battery safety.
Domestic substitution accelerates, local enterprises break through monopolies with technological breakthroughs
For a long time, the global market for gas-phase silica has been dominated by giants such as Germany's Evonik and the United States' Cabot, while China's high-end products rely on imports. However, in recent years, local enterprises have gradually broken down technological barriers through technological innovation and industrial chain integration. Lingwei Technology, Jiyao Holdings and other companies have made breakthroughs in the fields of electronic and pharmaceutical products through mergers and acquisitions and independent research and development. For example, Huating Nanotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has applied for a patent for the preparation method of modified gas-phase silica, which improves the compatibility and weather resistance of the product through a simple process and reduces the cost of coating raw materials. In addition, the thickening and thixotropic properties of domestically produced fumed silica in UV coatings have approached those of international brands, and its market share in the high-end coating market is gradually expanding.
Parallel technological iteration and green manufacturing pose new challenges to the industry
Despite the acceleration of domestic substitution, the industry still faces technological bottlenecks and international competitive pressure. Breakthroughs are still needed in technologies such as metal impurity control and surface hydrophobic modification for high-end products. At the same time, the increase in environmental protection requirements has prompted enterprises to increase their efforts in green process research and development. For example, using silicon tetrachloride, a byproduct of organosilicon, instead of metal silicon raw materials not only reduces production costs but also minimizes environmental risks. In addition, international giants may suppress domestic manufacturers by lowering prices, while low-cost alternatives such as precipitated silica also pose a threat in the mid to low end market.
In the future, with AI driven material research and development and global industrial chain restructuring, the gas-phase silica industry will usher in greater development opportunities. Chinese enterprises need to continuously break through high-end application technologies and promote collaborative innovation in the industrial chain in order to seize the high ground in this peak competition of nanotechnology.