In cutting-edge fields such as new energy, electronic packaging, and aerospace, a nano material called "gas-phase silica" is driving industrial upgrading with its "invisible power". This white powder, prepared by high-temperature hydrolysis of silicon halides, has become an indispensable functional additive in high-end manufacturing due to its nanoscale particle size, ultra-high specific surface area, and high purity characteristics. Its market potential and strategic value are being redefined.
Technological innovation breaks international monopoly
Recently, a large-scale chemical enterprise in China and overseas technology partners jointly invested in a gas-phase silica project, which has officially started production, marking a key technological breakthrough in this field for China. This project adopts the "circular economy" model, which converts the by-products of organic silicon production into gas-phase silica raw materials, and at the same time, recycles the hydrogen chloride generated in the production process for organic silicon synthesis, forming a resource loop. This innovation not only solves the environmental problems of traditional processes, but also enables product performance to reach the international advanced level, filling the production capacity gap of high-end hydrophobic gas-phase silica in China.
Multi domain applications drive market explosion
The 'nano effect' of fumed silica is causing changes in multiple industries. In the field of photovoltaic, hydrophobic products improve the anti-aging ability of packaging adhesive by more than 30% by optimizing the rheological performance, so as to ensure the long-term stability of photovoltaic modules in extreme environments; In the manufacturing of power batteries, a specific proportion of hydrophilic gas-phase silica can accurately control the viscosity of the adhesive, solve the problems of sagging and bubbles in the battery packaging process, and help improve the range and safety performance of new energy vehicles; In the high-end coating industry, the thickening and thixotropic properties of domestically produced fumed silica have surpassed those of imported products, increasing UV coating application efficiency by 40% and reducing costs by 25%.
Domestic substitution accelerates global competition pattern
Faced with the long-term technological monopoly of international giants, Chinese enterprises have achieved breakthroughs through standard setting and technological innovation. The "golden ratio" technology developed by a leading domestic enterprise in a certain industry has enabled the viscosity stability of polyurethane based power battery adhesives to reach the international first-line level; The national standard led by another enterprise has unified key indicators such as specific surface area, promoting the market share of domestically produced gas-phase silica in the high-end market to increase from less than 30% in 2015 to 65% in 2025. According to industry data, the market size of gas-phase silica in China has exceeded 5.8 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Among them, the growth rate of hydrophobic products is as high as 22%.
Challenges and opportunities coexist, green transformation becomes the future direction
Although domestically produced fumed silica has approached international standards in terms of performance, the industry still faces technological barriers and environmental pressures. In the international trade friction, some countries have launched technical investigations on Chinese gas-phase silica products, highlighting the importance of independent innovation. In the future, with the advancement of the "dual carbon" target, the industry will accelerate its transformation towards green production, and further expand its applications in cutting-edge fields such as flexible electronics and semiconductor packaging through technological innovations such as nanostructure optimization and surface modification.
In this competition of nanotechnology, gas-phase silica is leveraging "big industries" with "small materials" and becoming a key force in promoting China's high-end manufacturing to the top of the global value chain. With the dual drive of technological iteration and market demand, the future prospects of this' invisible champion 'are worth looking forward to.