On February 12, 2026, China's ethyl silicone oil market is expanding from traditional industrial sectors to high value-added tracks, with emerging applications such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics experiencing explosive demand, driving the industry to upgrade towards refinement and functionality.


In the pharmaceutical field, the demand for biocompatible materials has surged
Ethyl silicone oil has rapidly expanded its application in the fields of medical devices and drug carriers due to its non-toxic and non corrosive properties. For example, in biomedical materials, low ring ethyl silicone oil can be used as the core material for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molding, used to manufacture implants such as artificial joints and catheters. Its high-purity characteristics can reduce the risk of postoperative adverse reactions. In addition, ethyl silicone oil is also used as a base for ointments, achieving drug sustained-release function by adjusting viscosity, and showing excellent performance in dermatological and ophthalmic drugs.


Cosmetics industry: Strong demand for high-end skincare ingredients
In the field of beauty, ethyl silicone oil has become one of the core components of high-end skincare products due to its excellent ability to regulate skin sensation. Its low surface tension characteristic can form a uniform lubricating film on the skin surface, reduce friction damage, and act as a solvent to enhance the penetration efficiency of active ingredients. According to market research, the sales of facial essence products containing ethyl silicone oil will increase by 25% year on year in 2025, and international brands such as Estee Lauder and Lancome will list them as "star ingredients". Domestic enterprises such as Shanghai Yuanye Biotechnology Company have launched reagent grade ethyl silicone oil products to meet laboratory research and development needs.


Technological breakthrough: ultra-low temperature resistance and functional modification become the focus
For extreme environmental applications, the ultra-low temperature resistant ethyl silicone oil developed by Xinyuan Chemical (Shandong) Company can extend the working temperature to -80 ℃, achieving domestic substitution in polar scientific research equipment and deep-sea exploration instruments. In addition, the development of fluorinated ethyl silicone oil further enhances the material's chemical corrosion resistance, which is particularly outstanding in semiconductor etching solution delivery systems. The branched vinyl silicone oil launched by Anhui Aiyota Silicone Oil Company achieves precise viscosity control through molecular structure modification, providing key support for 3D printing materials.


Environmental compliance drives industry reshuffle
With the tightening of global environmental regulations, the ethyl silicone oil industry is facing pressure for low-carbon transformation. The EU's Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) imposes stricter restrictions on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, forcing companies to optimize their production processes. Yunnan Nengtou Silicon Material Technology has successfully entered the European market by reducing the residual metal ions in its products to below 0.1ppm through continuous polymerization technology. Industry analysts point out that in the next three years, small manufacturers who cannot meet environmental standards will accelerate their exit, and market concentration is expected to further increase.


Overseas markets: Local enterprises accelerate globalization layout
Chinese ethyl silicone oil companies are expanding their international markets through technology exports and localized production. The distribution center built by Hesheng Silicon Industry in Southeast Asia has shortened the logistics radius to within 500 kilometers, significantly improving the supply chain response speed. Hubei Jusheng Technology Company has partnered with German chemical companies to launch medical grade ethyl silicone oil that meets FDA standards in the European market, filling the gap in local high-end products. According to customs data, the export volume of ethyl silicone oil in China will increase by 18% year-on-year in 2025, with Southeast Asia and the Middle East becoming the main incremental markets.