Rice milling generates a byproduct known as husk. This surrounds the paddy grain. During milling of paddy about 78 % of weight is received as rice, broken rice and bran.Rest 22 % of the weight of paddy is received as husk. This husk is used as fuel in the rice mills to generate steam for the parboiling process. This husk contains about 75 % organic volatile matter and the balance 25 % of the weight of this husk is converted into ash during the firing process, is known as rice husk ash (RHA). This RHA in turn contains around 85 % - 90 % amorphous silica.
Precipitated 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.
Precipitated silica, along with fumed silica, silica sol, and silica gel, is a part of the global specialty silica market. This market is expected to exhibit positive single-digit growth through 2018 and reach a valuation of US$ 7 Bn by 2018. Precipitated silica market, which accounts for around 70% of the global specialty silica market, is also expected to witness steady growth in the next three years. The rising demand for energy efficient products in the automotive industry has resulted in the rapid growth of the global precipitated silica market. As a result of these factors, the global precipitated silica market is expected to expand at a 5.5% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.Thus, as an entrepreneur this project offers an exciting opportunity to you.
Few Indian Major Players are as under
· 20 Microns Ltd
· Bharucha Stone & Sand Works Pvt. Ltd.
· Insilco Ltd.
· Integrated Glass Materials Ltd.
· Mines & Rock Products (India) Pvt. Ltd.
· SonalSil-Chem Ltd.