Quarter of a million firms affected by silicone industry, says report

Launched at a Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS) seminar on competitiveness and sustainability, the ‘Socio-Economic Study on Silicones in Europe’ shows how these specialist materials have become a staple ingredient for almost 100,000 firms, mostly SMEs. Enterprises benefiting from silicones rise to nearly 250,000 when indirect firms and service providers are included.

The study by the Centre Europen des Silicones (CES) confirms that, thanks to their versatility and ability to enhance performance, silicones are now used by thousands of companies, supporting jobs, stimulating innovation and creating wealth via an exceptionally diverse range of final products – including wind turbines, automobiles, advanced glazing, medical equipment, detergents and computers.

Further principal findings are:

• Six major silicone producers in Europe are at the base of a value chain generating 9 billion euros of wealth per year for the region

• 7,500 jobs depend directly on silicone production, with a further 139,000 in downstream industries. Overall, silicones affect 1.3 million jobs

• Silicones represent 1.7 billion euros of basic chemicals and facilitate 61 euros billion of transactions through the value chain to final products

• Construction and electrical and electronics are the leading end-use sectors by value of final products

• The sector is growing strongly, well above the average for European economic growth

CES commissioned the study from specialist consultants De Walque & Associates as part of the silicone industry’s commitment to provide regulators with high quality data, to maximize transparency and to understand in-depth the role of its products in the European economy

Peter Cartwright, CES chairman, explained: ‘Silicones are a crucial and integral part along a chain of societal benefits and wealth creation that significantly benefits all Europe. With increasing competition from other global regions, the future of our manufacturing base depends on products like silicones that offer wide-ranging opportunities for innovation and development’.

Michel De Poortere, CES Secretary General, added: ‘Silicones play a crucial role in innovation and efficient use of resources. They enhance comfort, safety and style in literally millions of products and contribute to Europe’s sustainable future.’