At present, the white carbon black market presents a stable but weak operating trend, especially in the supply and demand of raw materials for precipitated white carbon black and gas-phase white carbon black, showing different market characteristics.
Firstly, in the precipitated white carbon black market, the raw material side exhibits a relatively stable state. The sulfuric acid market has experienced a situation of supply shortage, with prices maintaining high levels. In terms of soda ash, due to weak purchasing intentions from downstream enterprises, the overall market tends to be weak, with prices for light and heavy alkali remaining stable at 11001800 yuan/ton. Nevertheless, the quotation for precipitated white carbon black used in silicone rubber this week remains at 63007000 yuan/ton, with little change in cost and basically stable. In terms of demand, due to the decline in production of downstream rubber mixing enterprises, the demand for precipitated white carbon black remains at the level of rigid demand, and the market trading atmosphere is relatively flat. Overall, it is expected that the market for precipitated white carbon black will continue to maintain a weak and stable trend before the end of the year, and market payments will become a focus of attention for manufacturers.
The market for gas-phase white carbon black presents a different pattern. On the raw material side, although trading in the first tier market has slowed down, especially in the Shandong region where prices have dropped to 1500 yuan/ton, a decrease of 400 yuan/ton, the price of gas-phase white carbon black in the northwest region remains high. Although the cost has decreased, the order reception of silicon dioxide plants is still acceptable, especially for large manufacturers with medium to high quality, who still have a relatively stable customer base. Therefore, their high-end quotation for 200 meter gas-phase white carbon black is 2500027000 yuan/ton, and the low-end quotation is 1800019500 yuan/ton. In terms of demand, due to the average terminal demand, the operating rate of downstream enterprises continues to be low, and the order volume is relatively limited. However, the development of the liquid rubber market is good, and the demand for essential needs has increased. This has played a certain promoting role in the procurement of gas-phase white carbon black, and the trading atmosphere in the market is also slightly positive. Overall, it is expected that the market for gas-phase white carbon black will continue to maintain a stable and positive operating trend.
From the overall market perspective, individual factories generally maintain a strategy of raising prices to reduce inventory, and it is expected that downstream companies will make adjustments to stock up before the new year. Therefore, there may be market fluctuations in the short term, with a trend of first falling and then rising. However, the industry still maintains a cautious attitude towards the oversupply situation in the domestic market by 2025, and generally believes that there is insufficient confidence in the market, fearing that it will quickly fall back after rising. Against the backdrop of supply-demand imbalance, market prices may continue to tug at low levels.
In summary, the white carbon black market is expected to maintain weak and stable operation in the short term. Enterprises need to pay attention to fluctuations in raw material costs and changes in downstream demand, and flexibly respond to subtle changes in the market.