Silicones are a class of silicon-based organic polymers that are typically colorless oils or rubber-like substances with highly diverse applications in both industry and daily life. They are used as sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cookware, insulation, and electrical insulation materials. Common forms of silicones include silicone oils, greases, rubbers, resins, and sealants.
Silicones can be classified into several types based on their physical and chemical properties, including silicone oils, silicone rubbers, silicone resins, and silicone emulsions. Each form has unique applications and advantages. For example, silicone oil is an essential component in cosmetics, lubricants, and sealants due to its heat resistance, low surface tension, and good lubrication properties. Silicone rubber, with its elasticity, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation, is ideal for making seals, gaskets, and electronic components.
Silicones possess a range of excellent properties, including high-temperature resistance, oxidation resistance, UV resistance, strong chemical stability, superior electrical insulation, and low toxicity. These properties make silicones ideal for many high-performance applications.
The raw materials for silicones mainly include silica (SiO₂), methyl chloride, chlorosilanes, and other minerals and chemicals. These raw materials undergo various chemical reactions to produce silicones. The downstream industries of silicones cover many fields, from electronics and electrical engineering, automotive, and construction to medical devices, personal care products, textiles, and food processing. The most significant sectors are electronics, automotive, and construction. In the electronics industry, silicones are essential for semiconductor encapsulation, cable insulation, and thermal interface materials. In automotive manufacturing, they are used for engine gaskets, seals, rubber components, and coatings. The construction sector relies on silicone sealants for sealing joints in windows, doors, and other structures. Recently, their popularity has also grown in 3D printing applications.
The production process of silicones is complex and requires strict control over reaction conditions to achieve products with specific properties. According to the analysis by CRI, the leading global producers and exporters of silicones include Dow Corning, Wacker Chemie, Shin-Etsu Chemical, and Momentive Performance Materials.
In Vietnam, silicone applications are mainly concentrated in the electronics and automotive manufacturing industries. According to CRI, with the rapid development of Vietnam's electronics manufacturing sector, the demand for silicone materials in Vietnam is rapidly increasing. With the growth of Vietnam's automotive parts manufacturing industry, the demand for silicones used in sealing, bonding, and insulation is also continuously rising.
However, due to Vietnam's limited domestic production capacity and the lack of a suitable chemical industry basis, technology, and equipment, the demand for silicones in Vietnam largely relies on imported products.
CRI data reports that Vietnam's total silicone imports exceeded USD 200 million in 2023, and from January to June 2024, the import value had already surpassed USD 100 million.
From 2021 to 2024, the main sources of silicone imports to Vietnam included South Korea, China, and Hong Kong. The key companies exporting silicone products to Vietnam are SHIN-ETSU ASTECH CO., LTD, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD, and NISSEI ELECTRIC (HK) CO., LTD according to CRI.
The primary importers of silicones in Vietnam are related manufacturers in the automotive and semiconductor industries, as well as distributors and wholesalers of chemical raw materials, mainly foreign-invested enterprises. CRI analyzes that the major silicone importers in Vietnam include TOYOTA BOSHOKU HAI PHONG CO., LTD, SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR VINA CO., LTD, and TECH-LINK SILICONES (VIETNAM).
CRI predicts that with Vietnam's economic development, rising per capita income levels, expanding consumer markets, and industrial growth, the market size for silicones in Vietnam and its imports are expected to continue to grow.
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