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
Energy
Transport & Mobility
Digital
Healthcare
Construction
Food contact materials

Energy

Silicones enable many renewable energy technologies and play an important role in energy performance which is key to meet the objectives of the EU Green Deal. A small quantity of silicones can be sufficient to obtain a substantial improvement in the efficiency of processes, energy consumption, transmission, and use of materials. Such efficiency gains may, by way of example, increase the energy generation of wind turbines by up to 8%.

(Global Silicones Council. 2020. Socio-economic evaluation of the global silicones industry.)

Silicones are essential in powering the EU-wide goal to reach climate neutrality and the acceleration of the low-carbon energy transformation.

Find out more about how silicones can support decarbonisation below!

Decarbonisation Study

How Silicones enable low-carbon electricity and durable solutions

By using products made with silicones, you save 9 times more greenhouse gases than what was emitted during the manufacture of these silicone materials*

(Global Silicones Council. 2020. Socio-economic evaluation of the global silicones industry.)

The transmission and distribution grids are fundamental pieces of the wider energy network and silicone materials are used in key parts of it. Take cable insulation and transformers for example, silicones offer advantages in terms of durability, service life and breakage reduction.

This is crucial to balance the power grid at all times and ensure the likelihood of power outages in the EU remain low. Ensuring a steady supply of electricity is vital, given the constant increase of electrification within sectors like transport or industrial processes, driven by the energy transition and EU GHG emission reduction targets.

A selection of energy
applications using silicones

Wind turbines
Solar panels
LEDs
Green Tyres
Computers

Wind turbines

Wind Power is one of the most important renewable energy technologies. In 2021 alone, Europe’s wind farms generated 437 TWh of electricity, covering 15% of the electricity demand in the EU-27 & UK. Advanced adhesives based on silicones are used to bind the giant rotor blades of the wind turbines, contributing to more powerful wind turbines, longer service life and the reduction of maintenance costs.

Silicone lubricants help minimise the friction in turbine components, improving energy efficiency and helping minimise wear and tear. Silicone technologies enable the construction of larger wind turbines that can generate more power. The use of silicones in wind turbines can generate up to 2.370 MWH/an equivalent of energy savings on an annual basis. This amounts to powering up approximately 1.3 million smartphones for a full year.

(Stefan Pichler et al. (2022). The Role of Silicones in the Circular Economy, Stefan Neumayer et al. (2022). Silicones’ role in supporting the EU Green Deal’s decarbonization goal. Rory O’Sullivan. (2022) Wind energy in Europe 2021 Statistics and the outlook for 2022-2026: Wind Europe)

Silicone lubricants help minimise the friction in turbine components, improving energy efficiency and helping minimise wear and tear. Silicone technologies enable the construction of larger wind turbines that can generate more power. The use of silicones in wind turbines can generate up to 2.370 MWH/an equivalent of energy savings on an annual basis. This amounts to powering up approximately 1.3 million smartphones for a full year.

(Stefan Pichler et al. (2022). The Role of Silicones in the Circular Economy, Stefan Neumayer et al. (2022). Silicones’ role in supporting the EU Green Deal’s decarbonization goal. Rory O’Sullivan. (2022) Wind energy in Europe 2021 Statistics and the outlook for 2022-2026: Wind Europe)

Solar panels

Silicones are used in 90% of solar panels, aiding durability and functionality and providing durable bonds and seals alongside electrical insulation. While solar cells are made of silicon, silicones are used during module assembly and installation as encapsulants, coatings, adhesives, and sealants.

Because they can withstand the sun’s unrelenting rays for years, silicones are ideal materials for solar panels and other solar-power generating applications.

 

Because they can withstand the sun’s unrelenting rays for years, silicones are ideal materials for solar panels and other solar-power generating applications.

 

LEDs

Modern LEDs can be found in many parts of the energy grid, from wind turbines to computers that monitor the energy usage. LEDs are much more energy efficient than classic incadescent light bulbs, being able to provide light for around 50,000 hours. This makes LEDs ten times more energy-efficient than their “classic” alternative.

In LEDs, silicones help improve performance and durability. They help  encapsulate parts of LEDs, providing protection against external contaminants or changes in weather.

In LEDs, silicones help improve performance and durability. They help  encapsulate parts of LEDs, providing protection against external contaminants or changes in weather.

Green Tyres

Silicones are used in “green” tyres, which are key in energy efficiency in mobility. When silicones are used in these tyres, the tyres have a lower rolling resistance. This means that less fuel or energy needs to be used in the process of driving.

Apart from energy efficiency, silicones also increase the safety of vehicles by keeping them on the road, also in harsh weather conditions.

Apart from energy efficiency, silicones also increase the safety of vehicles by keeping them on the road, also in harsh weather conditions.

Computers

Computers are the “backbone” of the energy grid. They help monitor the grid and identify any disturbances in energy flow. They are also essential elements in every power-generating process.

Silicones are used in computers to protect and insulate their components from heat and other environmental factors. They are also used to seal and protect the batteries, making them more durable and long-lasting.

Silicones are used in computers to protect and insulate their components from heat and other environmental factors. They are also used to seal and protect the batteries, making them more durable and long-lasting.

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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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