Silicones are a vital ingredient in a large and diverse number of final applications. Silicones may be supplied directly to producers of final products, but more often they pass through several stages of what is known as the ‘value chain.’ This means that their routes to end markets may be complex, involving several interdependent stages. Firms in each successive level progressively add value by transforming or modifying basic materials that eventually become products for final sale.

Silicones manufacturing and research and development is a major source of employment in Canada. Throughout the Americas, the silicone industry directly employs 10,000 people representing some $700 million in gross salaries. It is estimated that up to 2.3 million people may be employed in economic activities related to silicone products, whether formulating, distributing, integrating silicones into larger components, or selling products containing silicones across Canada and the Americas. Because of their role as components, silicones fuel economic growth in two ways: through the jobs created in the silicones industry and through the boost they give to industries that rely on silicone components.