Strong downstream demand accelerates localization and substitution of alkoxysilane in China

Alkoxysilane refers to a type of organic compound in which the hydrogen atoms in the Si-H bond in silane (SiH4) are replaced by alkoxy groups (RO-). Alkoxysilane products mainly include trimethoxysilane, triethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane (methyl silicate), tetraethoxysilane (ethyl silicate), tetrapropoxysilane (silicate propyl ester) etc.

Alkoxysilane is an important silane intermediate in silicon-functional organosilanes. It has the advantages of low toxicity, safety and environmental protection, and is widely used. In recent years, with the development of downstream industries, the global alkoxysilane production capacity, Both output and consumption maintain a growth trend. Among them, in 2020, affected by the new coronavirus epidemic, the global economy declined and the global supply chain was temporarily interrupted, which greatly affected the development of alkoxysilane and downstream industries. The production capacity, output and consumption of alkoxysilane only increased slightly. ; In 2021, with the widespread vaccination and the gradual recovery of the global economy, the production capacity, output and consumption of alkoxysilane will increase significantly; in 2022, the Omicron mutant strain will spread around the world, and epidemic prevention and control policies must be certain To some extent, it affects the production and demand growth of alkoxysilane.

It is expected that from 2023 to 2030, the impact of the new coronavirus epidemic on the global economy and production activities will gradually weaken or even disappear. The downstream organic synthesis of alkoxysilane, coating industry, optical glass, precision manufacturing, rubber industry and other fields will continue to develop. At the same time, New energy and new material-related industries such as aerogels and composite materials will develop rapidly under the dual-carbon goal, further promoting the growth of demand for alkoxysilane. Industrial Research Center issued the Global and Chinese Alkanes in 2023 The “In-Depth Research Report on the Oxysilane Industry” shows that in 2030, the global alkoxysilane production capacity is expected to be 497,100 tons, with an output of 311,100 tons and a consumption of 310,600 tons.

​​ ​Organic synthesis applications will continue to be the largest application field of alkoxysilanes

There are many types of alkoxysilanes and they have a wide range of uses. They can be used not only to synthesize other functional silane products, but also as coating additives, optical glass surface treatment agents, precision manufacturing adhesives, coupling agents and crosslinking agents in the rubber industry. Coupling agents, etc. Among them, trimethoxysilane and triethoxysilane are important chemical intermediates and can be used to synthesize many kinds of downstream organic compounds. Therefore, organic synthesis is the largest demand area for alkoxysilane.

Alky oxylane is affected by raw materials and market demand, and price fluctuations are large

The price of alkoxysilane products is greatly affected by raw material prices and market demand. In the first half of 2020, the new coronavirus outbreak broke out, the global supply chain was blocked, and the outlook for the epidemic was unclear. Downstream demand was cautious and weak, and the price of alkoxysilane raw materials was at At a lower level, the demand for alkoxysilane is also affected, and product prices are relatively low. The economy gradually recovered in the second half of 2020, and alkoxysilane prices and raw material prices began to rebound. In 2021, the global economy will recover significantly compared with 2020, commodity prices have risen sharply, alkoxysilane raw material prices have also risen sharply, and the prices of various alkoxysilane subdivision products have increased significantly. In 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict will exacerbate global inflation, and the price of alkoxysilane raw materials will continue to fluctuate and increase, causing the price of alkoxysilane products to still increase compared with 2021.

Chinese local products are more cost -effective than imported brands. The replacement process of local products is accelerating

The price of China’s alkoxysilane products is lower than the overall global level. The first reason is that China’s alkoxysilane products have strong local supply capabilities, domestic products occupy the vast majority of the market, and the transportation costs of domestic sales are low; secondly, the domestic production enterprises are relatively small. There are many, and the competition is fierce; thirdly, China has strong local supply capacity of alkoxysilane raw materials, labor costs are lower than abroad, and the overall production cost of enterprises is lower than foreign enterprises; finally, although foreign companies such as Wacker, Dow Corning, and Shin-Etsu Chemical have low product quality The overall price is higher, but the brand premium is also higher, and the product price is higher than that of products produced in China. It is expected that from 2023 to 2030, the downward pressure on my country’s economy will still be great. However, in the context of the adjustment of the new coronavirus infection from “Class B and A” to “B and B”, stabilizing the economy and promoting development will be the key national development goals. , while superimposing the comprehensive promotion of the “dual carbon” strategic development, my country’s demand for alkoxysilane products will maintain a growth trend. Correspondingly, China’s alkoxysilane production capacity and output will also increase. It is expected that in 2030, China’s alkoxysilane The production capacity of base silane is 337,500 tons, the output is 210,500 tons, and the consumption is 192,300 tons.