Silicones, a world of possibilities

Silicones enable, drive innovation, and reinvent Europe

New study highlights silicones’ role in supporting the EU decarbonisation goals

Brussels, 16 February 2023 – Silicones Europe, a sector group of Cefic, published a study to identify and quantify silicones’ contributions in response to the EU Green Deal’s ambitions to become climate neutral by 2050. The results of the study “Silicones’ role in supporting the EU Green Deal’s decarbonization goal,”… Read more

New study highlights silicones’ role in supporting the EU decarbonisation goals

Environment Press announcement Silicones Europe Studies

Silicones, key enablers of Europe’s journey to space

Space technology and data are essential to the functioning of modern society. Since the beginning of the space age in 1957, more than 6000 rockets were launched, placing approximately 14 700 satellites into the Earth’s orbit. These satellites support many of our day-to-day activities, such as the use… Read more

Silicones, key enablers of Europe’s journey to space

Fact Sheets Technology

Industry position on authorisation proposal for D4, D5, D6

D4, D5 and D6 have been added to the Candidate List under REACH. Following standard required REACH procedures, a consultation was launched as a next step to gather input on whether or not these substances should be prioritised for authorisation. CES provided significant information and comments to the public consultation… Read more

Industry position on authorisation proposal for D4, D5, D6

D4 D5 D6 D7 Industry Updates REACH REACH Regulation

Silicones and Semiconductors

KEY PLAYERS IN EUROPE’S DIGITAL AUTONOMY Semiconductors are powering our increasingly connected world. Also known as microchips, they are essentially the ‘brain’ of every electronic device, used in smartphones, cars or medical equipment. In 2021, around 1.15 trillion semiconductor units were sold globally. This means that there were around 148… Read more

Silicones and Semiconductors

D4 Fact Sheets Technology

The menstrual cup: a social and environmental game changer

Have you caught the buzz around the menstrual cup? This tiny flexible product typically made from silicones tested according to relevant biocompatibility criteria, is used as a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to single-use menstrual products. The menstrual cup was first invented in 1937 by Leona Chalmers, an American actress. Read more

The menstrual cup: a social and environmental game changer

Article Environment Health Human Relevance Personal Care

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Silicones Europe represents European silicone and silane producers. We aim to help you understand the key role that silicones play in almost every aspect of our lives.

What does Silicones Europe do?

Leads on on behalf of the industry

We are the voice of the industry in Europe. This is done through an established dialogue with our stakeholders, who include academics, policy makers and representatives from the value chain. We believe that this dialogue ensures the global competitiveness of the European silicone industry and benefits the twin transition of the European Union.

EU Regulation & Silicones

Invests in research and development

The silicone industry invests in science and research to show that silicones are safe for the environment and human health. It has published over 1000 studies to provide data and evidence about silicone chemistry. Our research is available to the public, and we share our studies with national and international regulators. We aim for our silicone products to be safe and of the highest quality. Silicones Europe is also a part of Responsible Care®, an ethical framework towards safe chemicals management and performance excellence.

News & Resources

Looks towards a sustainable future

Silicones Europe works towards highlighting the various ways the industry supports and enables the EU’s sustainability goals. Silicones are essential to build a green value chain: beyond enabling renewable energy, silicones also help reach Europe’s decarbonisation goals by extending the lifecycle of products. For more information visit the Green Transition page.

Green Transition Decarbonisation Study

Silicones have been shaping European industry for decades, playing a key
part in sectors such as energy, digital, transport or healthcare. Silicones keep our solar panels and wind turbines running, electric vehicles moving, and mobile phones connected.

€10 billion

Silicone industry annual turnover

8,000 jobs

in the European market that the sector directly creates

1.4 mln positions

along the supply chain that the sector creates

Silicones also enable Europe’s twin transition towards climate neutrality and digitalisation.

up to

96 414
kilotonnes
of equivalent CO₂ savings

generated in 2030 with the use of silicone in various applications.

47 926
kilotonnes
of equivalent CO₂ savings

generated in 2050.

Source: Decarbonisation study

What are silicones and where are they used?

Silicones are a group of high-performance materials that include silicone polymers, silanes and siloxanes.

While silicones are often used in small quantities, the benefits that they offer are significant.

This is for instance the case for semiconductors or solar panel cells. Their properties enable the technical viability and economic efficiency of many products and processes.

Almost
190,000
metric
tons

of products containing silicones and silanes are sold in Europe every year

This goes – for example – towards the production of electric and hybrid vehicles that went from representing 5.9% of the European registered cars in 2018 to 37.5% of in 2020!