Why is transparent MS sealant so expensive?

Why is transparent MS sealant so expensive?
The high price of transparent MS sealant is due to a combination of factors, including high raw material costs and complex production processes. The specific reasons are as follows:

High Raw Material Costs:
Expensive core raw materials: The primary raw material for MS sealant is silane-modified polyether resin, a technology long monopolized by Japan, resulting in relatively high raw material prices. To ensure transparency, high-purity silane-modified polyether resin is required, which is even more expensive.
Higher Additive Costs: To adjust performance, transparent MS sealants require the addition of specific additives. For example, fumed silica is often used as a rheological modifier to prevent sealant sagging and maintain good extrudability and mechanical properties. Compared to common fillers, fumed silica is expensive, driving up overall costs.
Strict Production Process Requirements: The production of MS sealant requires stringent moisture control, requiring specialized equipment with vacuuming, heating, and cooling capabilities. Furthermore, to prevent impurities or bubbles from affecting transparency and aesthetics, the production environment and process must be more precisely controlled, increasing energy consumption and labor costs, leading to higher prices. Market Supply and Demand: Black, white, and gray are common sealant colors. Manufacturers typically maintain large inventories, operate on a large scale, and manage costs. Transparent sealants are primarily used in specific applications, such as glass sealing, and have relatively low demand, making it difficult to mitigate costs through large-scale production. Furthermore, when demand for transparent sealants grows in certain areas, such as high-end home improvement and specialized curtain wall construction, and supply fails to quickly match demand, this can easily lead to a supply-demand imbalance, driving up prices.