The silicone manufacturing process sounds simple. Take silicon, methyl chloride, and a dash of catalyst. Heat. Add water. And out pops an infinite assortment of silicone fluids, elastomers, gels, and resins.

• The hard part is obtaining elemental silicon.
• The intricate part is synthesizing and distilling (separating out) the silane intermediates from which silicone molecules are built.
• But the real chemistry of silicone manufacturing lies in the hydrolysis and polymerization and finishing steps, where the silicone building blocks are produced and assembled into finished products.

Did you know ... silicones cost more than organic (carbon-based) materials because high levels of energy are required to reduce sand to silicon and to separate the silane intermediates. But, in the long run, silicones can actually
save energy (and money). Silicones make buildings and manufacturing
processes more energy efficient. They make many materials and products
last longer.And they can reduce waste. Learn about
the many cost-saving advantages of silicones.