Silica is a general term for finely powdered or ultrafine particulate anhydrous and hydrous silica or silicates. It is a white, non-toxic, amorphous fine powder or granule with a large SiO 2 content. (greater than 90%), the original particle size is generally 5 to 40 nm, and since the surface contains a large amount of hydroxyl groups, it easily absorbs water and becomes aggregated fine particles. The melting point of silica is 1750 °C. Insoluble in water and acid, soluble in strong alkali and hydrofluoric acid, porous, large internal surface area, high dispersion, light weight, good chemical stability, high temperature resistance, non-combustion, non-toxic and tasteless, good electrical insulation, etc. Excellent properties, widely used in rubber, tires, shoes, feed, plastics, paper, paint, cosmetics, toothpaste and ink.

1. Global silica market
In the 1930s, developed countries such as Germany, the Soviet Union, and the United States began to develop white carbon black products. In the 1940s, white carbon black realized industrial production. Since the 1970s, with the deepening of research on white carbon in western countries, its production and application fields have been greatly developed, and global production capacity has reached a high level.

In the 1990s, after the introduction of high-performance green tires by Michelin using high-dispersion white carbon provided by Rhodia, green tires were accepted by the public for their comfort, safety, environmental protection and energy saving. The demand for white carbon is increasing at a rate of 4% to 5%.
In 2016, it reached 2.8 million tons. With the increase in tire tread applications and the gradual increase in green tire production, the use of silica in rubber products will continue to rise, supporting the global demand for silica. As the world's largest consumer of white carbon black, China will drive demand growth in the white carbon black industry.
The global demand for precipitated silica is 34% in Asia, 31% in the EU, 24% in the North American Free Trade Zone and 11% in other regions. With the introduction of the Tire Labeling Act in Europe, the United States, Japan and other countries, the white carbon black segment of the tire industry is expected to grow faster in the future.