Aether Industries and Dow India Launch Joint Silicone Technology Research Programme

In August 2026, Aether Industries Ltd. and Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. (Dow India) entered into a strategic research partnership to develop advanced silicone manufacturing technologies in India. The collaboration aims to strengthen indigenous innovation, enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities, and support the country’s growing demand for high-performance silicone materials.

Under the partnership, Aether Industries and Dow India will jointly develop next-generation manufacturing technologies for silicones. The initiative is also expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported technologies while also helping in creating a strong foundation for future commercial production within the country. By combining their technical expertise, the two companies aim to accelerate innovation and contribute to the growth of India’s specialty chemicals and advanced materials sector.

The joint research program will be carried out at Aether Industries’ research and pilot facilities in Surat, Gujarat. Initially, both companies will focus on research and development, process optimization, and pilot-scale testing. Subsequently, they will evaluate opportunities to scale up the technologies for commercial manufacturing.

Impact on the Chemical Market

Silicones are high-performance materials widely used across industries such as construction, transportation, electronics, healthcare, and personal care. By developing advanced silicone manufacturing technologies within India, the collaboration is expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, encourage technological self-reliance, and support the expansion of India’s specialty chemicals industry. The partnership also aligns with the country’s broader vision of promoting innovation-driven manufacturing and building globally competitive capabilities in advanced materials

Beyond research, the agreement also establishes the framework for a long-term strategic collaboration between Aether Industries and Dow India. The partnership also opens the door for the commercialization and industrial-scale production of the silicone manufacturing technologies developed under the program, subject to successful research outcomes.

Impact on the Silicone Market

The silicone market size is calculated at USD 19.55 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 20.92 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 37.70 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.79% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the demand for silicone-based products is rising in industries like automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare due to their adaptability and distinctive qualities, which contribute to market expansion. The increasing demand for silicone in the automotive industry boosts the growth of the market. Silicone polymers are extensively used as a greasing material for lubricating brakes, insulating material at the electric joints to prevent sparks, and in the manufacturing of automotive engines. With the growing production of medical devices and implants, the demand for silicone is increasing in the healthcare industry. Since silicones are biocompatible and safe, they are widely used in manufacturing medical devices. The rising usage of silicone polymers as sealants, coatings, and adhesives in the construction industry further propels the growth of the market. Silicone-based construction materials enhance the efficiency and longevity of construction work.

Key players are also collaborating to deliver silicone materials across diverse geographical locations, especially in emerging economies like the Asia-Pacific and Africa. This is helping major players to fulfill local demands, strengthening their global position, and creating their brand value. The startup ecosystem is also maturing, driven by advances in semiconductor, quantum computing, and edge AI technologies. Emerging startups are developing and leveraging 3D printing technologies for manufacturing silicone.

Impact on the Silicon Tetrachloride Market

The global silicon tetrachloride market size is calculated at USD 2.64 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 2.73 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 3.68 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 3.45% from 2025 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, rising consumption of silicon tetrachloride for polysilicon manufacturing is the primary driver of the silicon tetrachloride market. Hence, burgeoning demand for polysilicon is ultimately propelling the growth of the silicon tetrachloride market. Solar technology is among the fastest-growing segments in the energy and power industry. More than 90% of the solar cells are manufactured from polysilicon. Growing energy demand, environmental concerns regarding fossil fuels, rapidly declining cost of photovoltaic cells, and increasing awareness regarding green energy are some of the factors likely to boost the demand for polysilicon.

The silicon tetrachloride market is experiencing global expansion, as growing demand for high-purity silicon in solar cells, semiconductors, and optical fibers, along with its applications in creating fumed silica for coatings and adhesives. North America is dominant in the market due to the increasing renewable energy industry and progress. The major players and investors in the silicon tetrachloride market are leading worldwide chemical, materials, and technology organizations.

Expert Opinion

Dr. Aman Desai, Co-Founder and Director (Research and Operations), Aether Industries, said that the company is delighted to partner with Dow India as its exclusive research collaborator for the program. He noted that Aether’s strong capabilities in chemistry, process development, and manufacturing technology, combined with Dow’s global expertise in silicone materials and applications, will help develop innovative manufacturing technologies tailored to India’s growing market requirements.