About Silicones

Uses &
Benefits

Silicones bring unique performances and properties that make them the material of choice for countless essential applications in our day-to-day lives. They can make materials that do not want to stick together adhere. They are thermally stable meaning they retain their properties under high thermal stress (which means severe temperature changes). They help cool systems down, insulate, lubricate, protect and much more!

Energy
Transport &
Mobility
Digital
Healthcare
Construction
Food contact
materials
Digital
Energy
Transport & Mobility
Healthcare
Construction
Food contact materials

Digital

Technological devices like smartphones have become essential tools facilitating our modern lifestyle. To make the devices ever more efficient materials are needed that can support the huge computing power that is underpinning these devices. This is where the heat resistant nature of silicones plays a critical role. Applying silicones ensures that the fast-speed processes in electronic devices do not lead to excessive overheating.

Silicones also help make smaller devices with higher calculation rates. This means higher temperatures in the semiconductors, and tougher heat management challenges that silicones are uniquely placed to handle.

Lastly, silicones assembly technologies are also key contributors to the shielding of microelectronics against electromagnetic interferences (EMI), itself essential to ensure the highest levels of reliability in applications such as embarked electronics in cars and planes, autonomous vehicles, and more!

Silicones have historically been and will continue to be a key enabler of digital innovation. As the EU pushes to make Europe fit for the digital age, silicones will continue empowering the future of the continent.

How Silicones enable our digital economy

A SELECTION OF DIGITAL APPLICATIONS USING SILICONES

Semiconductors
Automotive
Satellites
LEDs
Smartphones
Laptops

Semiconductors

Semiconductors power our increasingly connected world. Also known as microchips, they are essentially the ‘brain’ of every electronic device, used in smartphones, cars, or medical equipment. Silicones are used in the manufacturing process, primarily as an insulator.

Preventing overheating, wear and damage is key to ensure the performance and durability of semiconductors. There are currently no viable alternatives that provide the same protective and performance properties as silicones.

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Preventing overheating, wear and damage is key to ensure the performance and durability of semiconductors. There are currently no viable alternatives that provide the same protective and performance properties as silicones.

Automotive

Owing to their ability to insulate, protect from water, dust, and shocks and withstand temperature changes, silicones help ensure batteries in electric vehicles remain stable, efficient, and safe. They also provide easier detachment of individual battery cells, which facilitates repairability.

Silicones are also used in microchips that are present in the automotive computers, they also help insulate parts of the computers to protect them against external contaminants.

Silicones are also used in microchips that are present in the automotive computers, they also help insulate parts of the computers to protect them against external contaminants.

Satellites

Satellites need materials that can withstand extreme operating conditions. Silicone adhesives and sealants can have a very low outgassing rate, preventing gases from being trapped within satellite appliances.

Silicone coatings, gels, and encapsulants protect against moisture, dirt, shock, and vibration fluctuations.  Silicones can withstand extreme temperatures without losing its properties. They insulate sensitive electronic components and protect satellites in hot temperatures. 

Silicone coatings, gels, and encapsulants protect against moisture, dirt, shock, and vibration fluctuations.  Silicones can withstand extreme temperatures without losing its properties. They insulate sensitive electronic components and protect satellites in hot temperatures. 

LEDs

The invention of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) revolutionised the world of lighting and electronics. Unlike the standard light bulb, LEDs get their light from the movement of electrons inside semiconductors. This light source is not only energy-saving, but also highly effective. Light performance, protection, and a long product life are key selling points for LED lighting, which is why they use silicones to encapsulate the electronic parts and to coat, seal and protect the illuminating mechanism.

The silicone gel protects and enhances light output, and provides UV resistance, non-yellowing, low impurity levels, and optical clarity. LEDs also result in lower CO2 emissions, particularly when using silicones rather than other alternatives. It is estimated that in 2030 the use of silicones in LEDs will contribute to saving of 17 488 kilotons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to driving a diesel car for 104 billion kilometres. From LCD TVs to vehicle lighting, from road signs to theatre lights, silicones ensure that LEDs shine bright year after year.

(Stefan Neumayer et al. (2022). The role of Silicones in the EU Green Deal)

The silicone gel protects and enhances light output, and provides UV resistance, non-yellowing, low impurity levels, and optical clarity. LEDs also result in lower CO2 emissions, particularly when using silicones rather than other alternatives. It is estimated that in 2030 the use of silicones in LEDs will contribute to saving of 17 488 kilotons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to driving a diesel car for 104 billion kilometres. From LCD TVs to vehicle lighting, from road signs to theatre lights, silicones ensure that LEDs shine bright year after year.

(Stefan Neumayer et al. (2022). The role of Silicones in the EU Green Deal)

Smartphones

The latest generation of smartphones meet many challenges that silicones help overcome. Silicones can provide good thermal conductivity, physical stability under vibration and temperature cycles, and stress relief in parts of the phones.

They also help seal components in smartphones, at the same time protecting key parts of the device from moisture.

They also help seal components in smartphones, at the same time protecting key parts of the device from moisture.

Laptops

Silicones are used in laptops in various ways. Take the manufacturing of electronic components, such as chips and circuit boards: silicones are used to protect and insulate these components from heat and other environmental factors. They are also used to seal and protect the laptop’s battery, making it more durable and long-lasting. 

Additionally, silicones are used in the production of keyboard covers and screen protectors, which can help to prevent scratches and damage to the laptop’s display. Overall, silicones play an essential role in the manufacturing and protection of laptops, ensuring their longevity and durability.

Additionally, silicones are used in the production of keyboard covers and screen protectors, which can help to prevent scratches and damage to the laptop’s display. Overall, silicones play an essential role in the manufacturing and protection of laptops, ensuring their longevity and durability.

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A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES. 

Silicones have thousands of applications that collectively bring safety, comfort and enjoyment to life.

up to

18,000 tonnes

annual sale of products
containing silicones in the
energy sector
in Europe (2018)

€120 mln

the total sales value
of energy products containing silicones
in Europe. (2018)

Take a look for yourself and see how silicones help enable a sustainable and digital future across industrial ecosystems, as defined by the EU’s industrial strategy aiming to support the twin transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.
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