The high silica content in the rice husk ash has attracted interest in discovering ways to use it commercially. Although silica occurs as a component of cells or cell walls in India alone produces 12 million tons of rice husks every year. Worldwide annual husk output is estimated is 80 million tons. Rice husk is considered as a form of waste from rice milling processes and are often left to rot in field or burnt in open. To some extent rice husk has been utilized as fuel for cooking and parboiling of paddy rice in some developing country.
Virtually all arial parts of the rice plant, it is most abundant in the husk. Silica is one of the valuable inorganic chemical compounds. It can exist in gel, crystalline and amorphous forms.
It is the most abundant material in the earth’s crust. Silica is the major constituent of rice husk ash. With such a large ash content & silica content in the ash it becomes economical to extract silica from the ash, which has wide market & also takes care of ash disposal.
Uses and Application
Silica is used as filler for paper & rubber as a carrier & diluents for agricultural chemicals, as an anti-caking agent, to control viscosity & thickness and as a cleansing agent in toothpastes & in cosmetics. Readily available new materials low capital investment & high rates of return offer a distinct advantage to the small-scale manufacturers to venture into this field.
1. Adhesive: Silica is useful to enhance bond strength and as a reinforcing and thickening agent. The dispersed silica particles within a liquid adhesive harden fast when it is in contact with solid surface. In both natural and synthetic rubber based adhesive. Silica provides thixotropy, reinforcement and promotes adhesion as well as serves as extenders; therefore it raises quality and lowers cost. Silica prevents resin separation and the settling of pigments and heavy fillers. It prevents excessive penetration of adhesive into porous adherents. It improves flow control and heat resistance of hot melts in application. Serves as a free flowing agent for spray dried resins
2. PVC Sheets: Silica is used to improve pigment dispersion and acts as a parting agent and as an absorbent to improve the flow and imparts a dry feel to the compound.
· Improves tear resistance.
· Acts as reinforcing agent.
· Provides higher tensile strength.
· Provides longer life and durability.
3. Rice Rollers and Rubber Rollers: Silica is used in Rubber Rollers and Rice Rollers for following reasons:
· Improves the abrasion resistance and stiffness.
· Improves tear resistance.
· Acts as reinforcing agent
· Provides higher tensile strength.
· Provides longer life and durability
The India silica market size was valued at USD 46.8 million in 2019-20. It is likely to post a CAGR of 6.5% during the upcoming period. Strong product demand in the food industry, owing to its anti-caking and super absorption properties, has helped the market gain momentum over the past few years.
Increasing use of silica in the rubber industry for production of micro sheets, rice rollers, thermoplastic rubber, PVC sheets, and shoe soles is poised to propel the market. Surging use of the product in transmission and conveyor belts, primarily for improvement of tear strength and increase in elastomer compound reinforcement, is projected to spur the growth of the market over the forecast period.
Silica is widely used in agrochemicals as dispersing, wetting, and grinding aid to improve suspension behavior in liquids. Furthermore, the product is also used as a diluent and carrier due to its excellent properties, including superior compatibility with toxicants and higher absorption of toxicants, which is slated to have a positive influence on the growth of the market.
The growth of silica as a market is driven by its increasing application in paints and coatings. It is mainly utilized in this industry to control rheological characteristics and to aid in the deterrence of rust and corrosion. It is also used as an anti-settling agent and thixotroping agent in the sector. A developing paints and coatings industry in the emerging markets of Asia The growth of silica as a market is driven by its increasing application in paints and coatings. It is mainly utilized in this industry to control rheological characteristics and to aid in the deterrence of rust and corrosion. It is also used as an anti-settling agent and thixotroping agent in the sector. A developing paints and coatings industry in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific, driven by growing construction and automotive sectors, is expected to drive product demand over the forecast period.
Industry Major Market Players:
1. Usher Agro Ltd
2. KRBL Ltd.
3. Guru Metachem Pvt. Ltd.
4. JASORIYA RICE MILL
5. The Agrilectric Companies
6. Viet Delta Co., Ltd.
7. J.M. Biotech
8. Kothari Petrochemicals
9. Gia Gia Nguyen Co., Ltd.
10. A.Duraisamy Modern Rice Mill
Cost Estimation
Capacity:
Silica 1,740 MT Per Annum
Activated Carbon (by product) 192 MT Per Annum
Sodium Carbonate (by product) 288 MT Per Annum