Silicon Dioxide (E551)

Description

Product Overview
Silicon Dioxide (E551) is a high-purity amorphous silica used as an anti-caking agent, rheology modifier, and functional excipient across industrial supply chains. Commonly supplied as a finely divided white powder, it prevents agglomeration, improves flowability, and stabilizes suspensions in powders, pastes, and liquid formulations. The product delivers consistent performance, regulatory-compliant quality, and scalable supply — making it a strategic raw material for manufacturers seeking reliable process efficiency and product stability. Its role in improving handling, dosing accuracy, and formulation robustness translates directly into lower production downtimes and improved finished-goods consistency.

Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), amorphous, synthetic/precipitated (specify grade on PO)

• Purity/assay: Typical SiO2 ≥ 99.0% (specify certificate of analysis for batch)

• Loss on drying (LOD): ≤ 2.0% (typical — batch CoA provided)

• Residuals/impurities: Trace metal specifications available on request (Fe, Al, Na limits)

• Surface area (BET): Typical range 50–300 m2/g (grade-dependent; specify grade)

• Particle size distribution: D50 typically 2–20 µm (custom grades available for targeted PSD)

• Morphology: Amorphous, spherical/aggregated primary particles (grade-dependent)

• Bulk density: 40–200 kg/m3 (porous, low bulk density; packed bulk density on request)

• Flow characteristics: Excellent anti-caking and free-flow properties; tapped density and angle of repose available per batch

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; chemically inert under normal conditions

• Color/appearance: Off-white to white free-flowing powder

• pH (aqueous suspension): Typically 3–9 depending on surface treatment

• Surface treatment options: Untreated, hydrophobic-treated (silane or silicone), or other functionalized variants

• Packaging options: 25 kg kraft/poly-laminated bags, 500 kg–1,000 kg FIBCs (bulk jumbo bags), ISO tank/loose bulk for tanker delivery (subject to product form)

• Shelf life: Recommended 24 months when stored dry, sealed, and protected from contamination; CoA and storage instructions supplied

Core Industrial Applications

• Food & Feed manufacturing: Anti-caking agent and carrier in powdered blends and premixes; enhances flow and dosing accuracy versus untreated blends.

• Pharmaceuticals: Excipient for tablets and capsules (flow aid, glidant), improving uniformity and compressibility in high-speed processing lines.

• Chemical formulations: Rheology modifier and thickening aid in coatings, sealants, adhesives, and silicone formulations; provides consistent viscosity control and suspension stability.

• Plastics & Rubber: Filler and reinforcing additive in elastomers and thermoplastics to improve mechanical properties and processing stability.

• Paints & Coatings: Matting agent and rheology modifier to control gloss, sag resistance, and pigment suspension, reducing binder usage and enhancing coverage.

• Agrochemicals: Carrier and anti-caking additive for bulk powders and granules, improving spreadability and application consistency.
  Why it outperforms alternatives:

• Consistent particle morphology and controlled PSD deliver predictable flow and dosing versus lower-grade silicas.

• Available surface treatments broaden functional performance (hydrophobicity, improved dispersion) where untreated alternatives fail.

• High batch-to-batch purity and traceability reduce formulation variability and regulatory risk.

Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Batch-level Certificates of Analysis, traceability, and in-house QC testing for particle size, BET, purity, and contaminants.

• Supply reliability: Scalable manufacturing capacity and multi-site sourcing options to mitigate single-source risk for large-volume industrial buyers.

• Logistics capability: Flexible packaging and loading modes (bag, FIBC, bulk tanker), export-ready documentation, and experience handling cross-border customs and hazardous-goods classifications if applicable.

• Price competitiveness: Tiered pricing for contract volumes, with cost advantages on bulk 20 MT orders and longer-term supply agreements.

• Sustainability: Options for lower-carbon sourcing and supplier disclosures on energy and emissions where available; reduced waste via bulk packaging to lower per-unit packaging footprint.

• Technical support: Application engineering support, formulation guides, regulatory documentation (REACH, food/Pharma certifications where applicable), and sample/testing programs for trials.

Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT

• Loading capacity (MT per container):

  • 20-foot container (FCL) bulk: up to 20 MT (bagged/FIBC depending on packing configuration)

  • 40-foot container (FCL) bulk: up to 24–26 MT (optimized packing, regional variance)

  • ISO tank/loose bulk: quantities depend on tanker specification and local handling; consult logistics for exact loading plan