GLOBAL MESOPOROUS SILICA MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

The Global mesoporous silica Market size was valued at US$ 194.8 Mn in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 388.7 Mn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% from 2024 to 2031.

Mesoporous silica refers to a family of silica-based materials that contain pores with diameters between 2-50 nanometers. They are synthesized through the supramolecular assembly of surfactants, typically via sol-gel processing or evaporation-induced self-assembly.  

Global Mesoporous silica Market Regional Insights:

• North America has established itself as the dominant region in the global mesoporous silica market. The well-established pharmaceutical industry in the U.S. and Canada has boosted the demand for mesoporous silica. Many leading pharmaceutical companies have their headquarters in the region and have been using mesoporous silica in drug delivery and other applications for years. This continuous and large-scale consumption by the pharmaceutical industry has made North America the hub for production of mesoporous silica. In addition, the presence of top material science research facilities and universities in the region has helped advance the technology around mesoporous silica and develop newer applications. As a result, North American companies have established strong technical expertise in manufacturing customized mesoporous silica best suited for different industrial needs. Their excellent production capabilities and experience put them ahead of the global competition.
• Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing market for mesoporous silica. Countries like China, India, and South Korea are witnessing rapid industrialization and massive investments in sectors like pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and construction, where mesoporous silica is increasingly finding applications. The expanding manufacturing industries in these countries require silica fillers and adsorbents on a large scale. Growing environmental concerns have boosted the use of mesoporous silica for wastewater treatment in the region. Local manufacturers are improving their processes to cater to the rising domestic demand. International players are also establishing production facilities or entering into technical collaborations with Asian partners to leverage the market potential. Global market leaders consider Asia Pacific an attractive and strategic region for expanding their mesoporous silica business in the future.
• Europe market is expected to have moderate growth as moving out of the U.K. from the European Union (EU) has impacted the market severely. However, rising demand from the pharmaceutical industry in Europe is one of the significant factors anticipated to raise revenue in the region. Also, increasing expenditure by government and non-profit organizations for wastewater treatment in China, India, and other Asia Pacific is a key growth prospect for its fast growth.

Figure 1. Global Mesoporous Silica Market Share (%), By Region, 2024

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Global Mesoporous Silica Market Analyst Views:

Global mesoporous silica market is expected to grow at a steady pace over the forecast period driven by increasing demand from various end-use industries such as healthcare, petrochemicals, and food. The unique structure and properties of mesoporous silica such as high surface area and tunable pore size make it suitable for diverse applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and separations. Its non-toxic nature further expands its potential in the high-growth healthcare and life sciences fields.

North America dominates the global market due  to high research and development (R&D) investments and presence of leading manufacturers in the region. However, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market with increasing government support for industrial projects and infrastructure development in countries such as China and India. Some of the key players are ramping up capacities in these developing nations to leverage growth opportunities.

On the other hand, stringent regulatory norms governing new product introduction may challenge market expansion to some extent. Availability of low-cost substitutes poses a threat to market players. Nevertheless, the market is likely to benefit from ongoing product innovation and rapid commercialization of new applications in the near future. Overall, with its favorable characteristics and diverse end-use potential, the mesoporous silica market is well-positioned for steady long.

Global Mesoporous Silica Market Drivers

Mesoporous silica as a drug delivery system: Mesoporous silica has shown promising potential as an ideal drug delivery system. Due to its ordered pore structure and large surface area, mesoporous silica allows for high drug loading and entrapment of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The nanopores can encapsulate various therapeutic agents and release them in a controlled manner. This makes it an effective carrier for targeted drug delivery. Various studies have found mesoporous silica nanoparticles to be biocompatible and show minimal toxicity. The pore size and chemistry of mesoporous silica can be easily tuned to suit different drug molecules. This tunability allows optimizing the release kinetics and targeting abilities. Many ongoing research projects are working on functionalizing the silica surface with targeting ligands like antibodies and peptides. This would help deliver the loaded drug specifically to diseased cells and tissues, minimizing side effects. Several cancer drugs and other biomolecules have been successfully loaded into mesoporous silica for controlled release applications. If this system proves effective in clinical trials, it could transform drug formulations across many therapeutic areas.

Increasing importance of encapsulation in agriculture: The agriculture industry is under growing pressure to improve crop protection while reducing environmental pollution. Pesticides and agrochemicals that are used suffer from problems like leaching, volatility, non-selectivity and degradation when exposed to natural elements. This impacts their efficacy and also leads to residue issues. At the same time, there is a pressing need to develop more environmentally sustainable and socially responsible models of agriculture. Mesoporous silica shows promise for overcoming many existing challenges through its encapsulation ability. Pesticides and other actives can be protected within the silica matrix and released in a controlled manner when and where needed. This would allow for targeted delivery, improve adherence to crops, and minimize runoff and waste. The tunable porous structure also facilitates multi-functional formulations. Basic research indicates mesoporous silica can be tailored for controlled release applications involving fertilizers, fumigants, and other agrochemicals. If commercialized, this technology could help optimize crop protection methods, reduce environmental footprint of agriculture and enhance food safety. Many companies acknowledge the scope mesoporous silica holds and are investing in further product development.

Global Mesoporous Silica Market Opportunities

Emerging applications in drug delivery techniques: Emerging applications of mesoporous silica in novel drug delivery techniques offer tremendous opportunities for the global mesoporous silica market. Mesoporous silica has nano-sized pores that allow for controlled encapsulation and release of various drug molecules. Their large surface area and tunable pore sizes allow for customization as per the size and release profile of different drugs. This makes them ideal carriers for targeted and controlled delivery of various active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Many new drug molecules are highly unstable, insoluble or have poor bioavailability issues when delivered orally. Mesoporous silica provides a solution to these problems by acting as a protective carrier and facilitating slow or triggered release inside the body. Researchers are working on stimuli-responsive mesoporous silica formulations that are engineered to release the drug only in response to specific internal or external triggers like change in pH, redox potential, enzymes or electromagnetic radiation, and others. This allows for delivering drugs exclusively to the target diseased sites and minimizes systemic side effects. Several prototype formulations for cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and others are under preclinical/clinical testing with promising results.

Advances in nanotechnology, materials engineering and analytical techniques will enable more complex and multifunctional drug delivery systems by using mesoporous silica as carriers. Hybrid organic-inorganic constructs can combine the controlled release properties of mesoporous silica with specific targeting moieties, imaging contrast agents, and theranostic capabilities.

Emerging applications in catalyst support: Emerging applications of mesoporous silica in catalyst support can potentially open new growth avenues for the global mesoporous silica market. Mesoporous silica has unique properties like large surface area, tunable pore size, and adjustable morphology, thus making it an efficient and viable support material for catalysts across diverse industries. Catalysts find wide use in petroleum refining, petrochemicals, polymers production, environmental protection and renewable energy applications.

In the chemicals industry, heterogeneous catalysts are indispensable for production of important petrochemicals and derivatives that are building blocks for various industrial and consumer products. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) predicts the global chemical industry output to double in value terms between 2020 and 2030. This ups the need for high-performance catalysts for petrochemical reactions. As a versatile support, mesoporous silica when impregnated with active catalyst components can help design tailor-made structured catalysts with tunable acid-base properties, pore dimensions and morphologies for petroleum refining and petrochemical applications. This ensures optimal product yield and selectivity.

Global Mesoporous Silica Market Trends:

Increasing R&D investments by key players: Global mesoporous silica market is witnessing increasing investments in research and development activities by major players in the 2022. Key companies have been allocating higher portions of their revenues towards innovating newer products and improving the performance of existing ones For instance, similar trend has been observed across other major players including W.R Grace, BASF and Anten Chemical Co Ltd. who have upped their R&D expenditures in order to gain an edge over competition and capture more market share. The rising investments have driven higher focus on product differentiation and customization abilities. Newer grades of mesoporous silica with improved pore sizes, surface areas, and functionalities are being introduced to cater to the dynamic needs of end-use industries. Furthermore, companies have been filing increased number of patents as witnessed in European Patent Office and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office public disclosures.

This has significantly influenced the global mesoporous silica market dynamics. The augmented research initiatives have accelerated the product development cycle, thereby allowing for speedy launch of innovative solutions. Faster commercialization of cutting-edge materials is helping market players cement long-term supply agreements with major consumers and better address their custom requirements. It is also facilitating the expansion of mesoporous silica applications beyond traditional fields into emerging areas such as energy storage, adsorption, and catalysis.

Growing preference for biocompatible and biodegradable products: Growing preference for biocompatible and biodegradable products among consumers and industries is significantly influencing the global mesoporous silica market. Mesoporous silica possesses unique properties of large surface area, tunable pore size, ordered pore structure and biodegradability which make it an ideal material for various biomedical and environmental applications.

Many biomedical companies are extensively researching and developing mesoporous silica based drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, bioimaging probes for selective targeting and controlled release of therapeutics. This is because mesoporous silica can encapsulate and carry drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids to targeted sites in the human body in a protected and controlled manner. It is biocompatible and safely metabolized/excreted by the body over time without toxicity. For example, in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first clinical trials of a novel mesoporous silica nanocarrier developed by Diagnostic anageo for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to treat pancreatic cancer.

On the environmental front, mesoporous silica is being increasingly utilized by the packaging, plastic and construction industries as an additive to make various products biodegradable and eco-friendly. Such developments indicate the growing demand for specialized mesoporous silica in biomedical and environmental applications which is fueling expansion of the global market. The market is forecast to witness lucrative opportunities in the near future as sustainable products take more precedence.

Global Mesoporous Silica Market Restraints:

• Stringent environmental regulations increase production costs: The production of mesoporous silica involves the use of hazardous chemicals and generates harmful by-products. Strict environmental regulations regarding the discharge and disposal of chemicals add considerably to the manufacturing costs. Growing emphasis on sustainable production and limitations on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) necessitate costly abatement technologies. Regulations such as reach in Europe impose restrictions on the use of certain chemicals in industrial processes. The compliance with such stringent norms increases capital and operating expenditures for mesoporous silica producers. This acts as a key restraining factor affecting the profit margins of players.
• Availability of cheaper alternatives limits the market expansion: Mesoporous silica faces stiff competition from other porous materials that can be used as drug carriers, catalyst supports, and adsorbents. Alternatives include activated carbon, zeolites, xerogels, and mesoporous aluminas, which are relatively cheaper. The price-sensitivity of end-use industries compels them to prefer cost-effective options over mesoporous silica. Moreover, certain end-use applications do not necessarily require the unique properties that are offered by mesoporous silica and cheaper substitutes are able to meet their needs adequately. This adversely impacts the market potential of mesoporous silica products. Availability of in-house synthesized alternatives by large industrial consumers reduces their dependency on commercial manufacturers of mesoporous silica. These factors constrain the full-scale adoption of mesoporous silica across various applications.
• In conclusion, the mesoporous silica market is mainly driven by the growing pharmaceutical industry and increasing demand from the catalyst sector. However, stringent environmental regulations and availability of cheaper alternatives continue to challenge market participants. Overall, with its distinctive material characteristics, mesoporous silica is expected to witness healthy demand from specialized high-value applications.
• Counterbalance: The benefits of mesoporous silica should be highlighted in comparison to the other available alternatives thus aiding in the market growth.

Recent Developments:

• In April 2023, an innovative study released on Wiley Online Library, details a cutting-edge method for dental pulp capping by using a composite that comprises Wnt3a-loaded hydroxyapatite nanowire enveloped by mesoporous silica. This composite is characterized by elongated and pliable hydroxyapatite nanowires, thus forming a sturdy structure, while the mesoporous silica exterior facilitates efficient loading and gradual release of Wnt3a along with silica ions. This breakthrough is anticipated to advance the product offerings in the realm of mesoporous silica, thereby improving dental pulp capping treatments.
• In February 2023, Mitsubishi Chemical Group announced the integration of its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Chemical Systems, Inc. This Information Technology subsidiary is recognized for its multifaceted service offerings, which include the establishment and maintenance of communication infrastructures, development and management of critical systems, along with a range of business applications and solutions. The integration spans from initial consultation and system design to the maintenance and operational support of these systems.

Figure 2. Global Mesoporous Silica Market Share (%), By Products, 2024

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Top Companies:

• Merck KGaA
• American Elements
• NanoComposix, Inc.
• Taiyo International
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• MKnano
• W.R. Grace & Co.
• AGC Chemicals Americas
• Glantreo Ltd.
• ACS Material LLC

Definition: Mesoporous silica is a nanotechnological advancement that is comprised of a honeycomb-like structure of silica, with a large number of empty channels (mesoporous) that entrap bioactive molecules. Global mesoporous silica market refers to the market for mesoporous silica materials, which are used in various applications such as adsorption, drug delivery, separations, and catalysis.