The Development Of Silicone Sealants
Developed countries in Europe and North America began developing two-component silicone sealants for the construction industry in the early 1950s; high-performance one-component silicone architectural sealants became commercially available in the early 1960s; and in the 1970s, silicone structural sealants were used for the first time in the structural bonding and assembly of fully concealed-frame glass curtain walls.
With the development of China's construction industry, building envelope structures such as glass, metal panel, and stone curtain walls have come into widespread use. Neutral silicone sealant serves as a key supporting material for these curtain wall systems, primarily functioning as a structural adhesive. The market scale of China's silicone sealant industry has surpassed 20 billion RMB; in 2019, industry production exceeded 1.45 million tons, with consumption approaching 1.20 million tons.
Due to their unique molecular structure, silicone polymer materials possess a wide range of properties and are extensively used in sectors such as construction, automotive manufacturing, electronics, textiles, and machinery, as well as in daily life. In the construction sector, silicone sealants-characterized by excellent weather resistance-are the most common application of silicone materials. Global production of silicone sealants exceeds 600,000 tons per year and continues to grow.
For a long time, China relied on imports for the silicone sealants used to bond and seal glass curtain walls. Foreign manufacturers held a technological lead in production and application, and the global market was dominated by companies such as Dow Corning (USA), GE (USA), Wacker (Germany), RP (France), and Shin-Etsu (Japan).
The development of China's silicone sealant industry has progressed through several stages. The construction of the first glass curtain wall at the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing in 1983 marked the beginning of the application of curtain wall technology in Chinese architecture. In 1992, the first industrially produced silicone sealant for construction was launched in China. The mandatory national standard GB 16776-1997, *Silicone Structural Sealant for Building*, was promulgated in 1997. In 1998, the first batch of enterprises producing and selling silicone structural sealants received official certification. The country's first fully automated, continuous production line for silicone sealants was developed in 2002, followed by the development of ultra-high-performance silicone sealants in 2004.
Developing domestic silicone sealants helps narrow the technological gap with foreign counterparts.
As the national economy grows, buildings are increasingly evolving toward greater heights and multifunctional designs. Various types of glass, aluminum panel, and stone curtain walls are widely used in urban development.
While many domestic entities have engaged in the research and development of silicone sealant products, initial market volume was limited.
Counterfeit and substandard products have appeared on the market-specifically, cases where non-compliant products were passed off as structural sealants. Some manufacturers launched products without adequate testing capabilities, compromising the safety of architectural curtain walls. Relevant authorities have implemented targeted regulatory measures, achieving positive results.
Domestically produced silicone sealants have been utilized in key national projects, and the performance of certain products has improved. New products are currently under development, with progress made specifically on fire-resistant sealants.
The total scale of China's silicone sealant industry has grown to over 2 million tons per year, with more than 500 manufacturing enterprises. Forecasts indicate that the market size of China's silicone sealant industry will reach 31.7 billion yuan by 2025.
