세계 액상 실리콘 고무 시장 규모는 2024년 28억 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 2033년에는 54억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상되며, 2025년부터 2033년까지 7.13%의 연평균 성장률(CAGR)을 기록할 것으로 예측하고 있습니다. 의료기기, 자동차, 전자제품, 소비재 등의 산업 수요 증가, 제품의 높은 내구성, 생체적합성, 유연성, 내열성, 제조기술의 지속적인 개발 등이 시장 확대를 이끄는 주요 요인으로 작용하고 있습니다.
헬스케어 산업에서의 적용 확대
헬스케어 분야에서의 제품 사용 급증은 시장에서 관찰되는 주요 트렌드 중 하나입니다. 액상 실리콘 고무는 높은 생체적합성, 우수한 유연성, 온도 및 화학제품에 강한 특성으로 인해 의료기기, 임플란트, 웨어러블 등에 폭넓게 적용되고 있습니다. 만성질환의 증가, 인구 고령화, 의료기술의 비약적인 발전으로 인해 인체 내에서 안전하게 사용할 수 있는 고성능 소재에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 저독성, 저알레르기, 멸균 처리에 대한 내성 등의 특성을 가진 LSR은 카테터, 씰, 밸브에서 인공관절에 이르기까지 의료 분야에서 다양한 용도로 사용되고 있습니다.
자동차 산업에서의 성장
자동차 산업 또한 LSR 시장의 성장을 좌우하는 큰 원동력 중 하나입니다. 기술적으로 진보하고 효율적인 자동차에 대한 수요가 증가함에 따라, 자동차 애플리케이션에서 요구되는 엄격한 성능 및 안전 기준을 충족하는 소재에 대한 요구가 증가하고 있습니다. LSR은 내열성, 내구성, 절연성이 매우 우수하여 자동차 개스킷, 씰, 커넥터, 조명 시스템에 널리 사용되고 있습니다. LSR은 또한 EV(전기자동차) 트렌드 증가에도 기여하고 있습니다. EV에서는 취약한 전자부품을 보호하고 차량 전체의 안전을 유지하기 위해 견고한 밀봉 및 절연 솔루션이 필요하기 때문입니다. 연비 향상에 따른 경량화 소재에 대한 수요는 제조업체들이 기존 소재의 대체재로 LSR의 사용을 고려하도록 유도하여 시장 성장을 촉진하고 있습니다.
제조 기술 향상
제조 공정의 기술 혁신의 진전이 LSR 시장의 성장에 영향을 미치고 있습니다. 액체 사출 성형과 같은 최근의 기술 혁신은 LSR 부품의 가공을 더 빠르고, 더 정확하고, 경제적인 작업으로 바꾸어 놓았습니다. LIM 기술을 통해 정밀도가 높고 낭비가 적은 복잡한 부품을 제조할 수 있어 정밀도와 신뢰성이 주요 과제인 의료, 자동차, 전자산업에 매우 매력적입니다. 또한, LSR을 이용한 3D 프린팅은 맞춤형 복잡한 형상에 대한 시야를 넓혀 시장 확대에 대한 긍정적인 전망을 만들어내고 있습니다.
The global liquid silicone rubber market size reached USD 2.8 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 5.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.13% during 2025-2033. The increasing demand from industries such as medical devices, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods, product's high durability, biocompatibility, flexibility, and temperature resistance properties, and continuous development in the manufacturing technologies are some of the key factors aiding in market expansion.
Growing Usage in the Healthcare Industry
The surging product usage in the healthcare sector is among the major trends observed in the market. Liquid silicone rubber has seen wide application in medical devices, implants, and wearables due to its high biocompatibility, good flexibility, and very temperature- and chemical-resistant features. The rise in chronic diseases, aging populations, and significant advancements in medical technologies are driving high demand for high-performance materials that can be safely used within the human body. LSR, with properties such as low toxicity, hypoallergenic, and withstanding sterilization processes, has placed this material into a variety of uses in the medical space-from catheters, seals, and valves to prosthetics.
Growth in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is also one of the major driving forces that have influenced the growth of the LSR market. As the demand for more technologically advanced and efficient vehicles rises, there is an increasing need for materials that can meet the stringent performance and safety standards required in automotive applications. LSR is widely used in automotive gaskets, seals, connectors, and lighting systems due to its very good temperature resistance, durability, and excellent insulation. It also contributes to the increasing EV trend, as these vehicles demand heavy-duty sealing and insulation solutions to protect vulnerable electronic parts and maintain the overall safety of the vehicles. The demand for lightweight material with the influence of improved fuel efficiency encourages manufacturers to consider the utilization of LSR as an alternative material against the traditional ones, thus strengthening the market growth.
Improvement in Manufacturing Technologies
Growing technological innovations in the manufacturing process have influenced the growth of the LSR market. Recent innovations such as liquid injection molding have transformed processing into even faster, more accurate, and economical operations of LSR components. LIM technology allows the manufacturing of complex parts with high accuracy and minimal waste, something quite attractive for medical, automotive, and electronic industries where precision and reliability are the main issues. In addition, 3D printing with LSR opens a wide horizon toward customized and complicated geometries, thereby creating a positive outlook for market expansion.
Medical grade accounts for the majority of the market share
The demand for medical-grade LSR is propelled by the increasing focus on patient safety and the stringent regulatory requirements for medical devices. Medical-grade LSR is preferred due to its superior purity and compliance with rigorous medical standards, such as ISO 10993 and USP Class VI, which ensure that the material is non-toxic, non-cytotoxic, and suitable for prolonged contact with the human body. This grade of LSR is extensively used in the production of critical components like seals, gaskets, and molded parts for surgical instruments, as well as in long-term implants, owing to its ability to maintain performance and stability over extended periods.
Injection molding holds the largest share of the industry
The demand for LSR based on injection molding as a curing system is driven by its efficiency in producing high-precision, complex parts at scale, with minimal waste. Injection molding allows manufacturers to achieve consistent quality and tight tolerances, essential for industries like healthcare, automotive, and electronics where reliability and performance are critical. This curing system is particularly advantageous for high-volume production, as it significantly reduces cycle times and labor costs, making it ideal for mass production of intricate components. Additionally, the ability to automate the injection molding process enhances productivity and reduces the risk of contamination, a crucial factor in sectors requiring sterile conditions, such as medical device manufacturing.
Healthcare represents the leading market segment
The demand for LSR in the healthcare industry is primarily driven by the growing emphasis on infection control and the need for highly durable, biocompatible materials in medical applications. LSR's inherent resistance to bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens makes it an ideal choice for producing components that come into direct contact with patients, such as catheters, tubing, and respiratory masks. Additionally, the material's ability to withstand repeated sterilization processes without degrading ensures long-term reliability, which is crucial for reusable medical devices. The increasing adoption of wearable medical devices, which require soft, flexible, and skin-safe materials, also boosts demand for LSR, as it provides comfort while maintaining the necessary strength and durability.
Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest liquid silicone rubber market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific represents the largest regional market for liquid silicone rubber.
Based on the liquid silicone rubber market forecast, the product demand in the Asia Pacific region is primarily spurred by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the growing middle-class population, which boosts demand across several key industries, including automotive, electronics, and healthcare. In particular, the region's booming automotive sector, especially in countries like China, Japan, and India, is a major driver, as manufacturers increasingly adopt LSR for its durability, heat resistance, and ability to produce lightweight components that improve fuel efficiency. The expanding electronics manufacturing base in the Asia Pacific, known for producing consumer electronics and advanced gadgets, also propels LSR demand, as the material is essential for producing reliable, high-performance seals, connectors, and insulation parts.
(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)