You may know about silicon dioxide (SiO ₂), which also has a common name - white carbon black. In fact, white carbon black does not refer to a single substance, but rather a collective term for a series of amorphous silica products, mainly prepared through synthetic methods. Although its dosage is small, it can significantly improve key indicators such as mechanical and rheological properties of the material, and is therefore known as the "industrial monosodium glutamate". As a high-performance inorganic material, white carbon black (precipitated silica) has undergone an extraordinary transformation in China from dependence on imports to self-sufficiency, and from low-end expansion to high-end transformation.
1、 Development history and current situation
Early Start (1950-1980): Difficult Exploration, Import Dependence
The domestic white carbon black industry started relatively late and relied mainly on imports in the early stages. This period is in the initial and exploratory stage, with precipitation production as the main method, but the production capacity is extremely low. In 1958, Guangzhou People's Chemical Plant built the first industrial equipment for precipitated silica in China. However, the high-end product market was long monopolized by international companies such as Germany's Innolux and Japan's Dongcao.
Rapid expansion of production capacity (1990-2000): technological breakthroughs and the beginning of localization
At this stage, the precipitation method has significantly increased production capacity and achieved the localization of 10000 ton equipment. At the same time, the gas-phase method began to break international monopolies, and domestically developed 500 ton gas-phase process technology, laying the foundation for industrial development.
Scale and Industrialization (2000-2010): Application Expansion, Industrial Rise
The production capacity of sedimentation method continues to expand, and its application areas are constantly expanding, extending to emerging fields such as green tires. The rise of leading enterprises in sedimentation methods such as Quecheng Shares has promoted the rapid expansion of the industry scale. In terms of gas-phase method, the problem of by-product utilization has been solved, and the raw materials have been expanded to include polycrystalline silicon by-product silicon tetrachloride, achieving effective resource utilization.
High quality, high growth stage (2010 present): Global leadership, technological breakthroughs
The domestic production capacity of white carbon black increased from 2.036 million tons to 2.77 million tons, and the output increased from 1.35 million tons to 1.7521 million tons, making China the world's largest producer of white carbon black. Huifu Nano breaks through the bottleneck technology and injects new impetus into industrial development. However, precipitation method is still the mainstream process, accounting for 76%, while gas-phase method has a relatively low proportion due to its high technical threshold.
2、 Market Pattern and Challenges
Market pattern
East China region (Shandong, Jiangsu): This region accounts for 35% of the country's production capacity and is home to leading enterprises such as Quecheng Group, with a significant industrial cluster effect.
South China region: Benefiting from the rapid development of new energy vehicles and the electronics industry, the high-end production capacity is leading the growth rate, with a year-on-year increase of 18% in 2023, becoming a new engine for industrial growth.
Southwest region: relying on abundant quartz sand resources, mainly producing mid to low end products, actively undertaking industrial transfer and seeking industrial upgrading.
Structural contradictions
Supply and demand imbalance: There is a situation in the industry where there is an oversupply of low-end products and a shortage of high-end products. High end high dispersion precipitation method silica and some special gas-phase silica (such as ultra-high purity, special modified products) still rely on imports or are dominated by foreign-funded enterprises.
Environmental protection and cost pressure: With increasingly strict environmental policies, the requirements for energy conservation and emission reduction in chemical enterprises are constantly increasing, which has pushed up production costs. The energy and raw material costs required for gas-phase production are relatively high, and the supply of raw material silicon tetrachloride is affected by fluctuations in the polysilicon industry, increasing production uncertainty.
Intense market competition: In the low-end field of sedimentation method with relatively low technological barriers, price competition is fierce, and the profit margin of enterprises is squeezed, which affects the overall profitability of the industry.
3、 Development Trends and Response Strategies
Technological upgrading and product high-end
Enterprises continue to increase their R&D investment and overcome high-end product and technological challenges. For example, research and development of ultra-high specific surface area gas-phase silica, efficient hydrophobic modification technology, and food and pharmaceutical grade products. Huifu Nano plans to build a 6000 ton/year food and pharmaceutical grade product packaging workshop to achieve a breakthrough of "zero" domestic pharmaceutical grade products. At the same time, new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have also been applied to optimize production processes, such as using AI algorithms to monitor and regulate flame field temperature in real time, and improve the uniformity of gas-phase products.
Green and Sustainable Development
The pressure of environmental regulations has prompted industries to pay more attention to green processes and the comprehensive utilization of by-products. The gas-phase production method effectively absorbs the by-products of the organic silicon and polycrystalline silicon industries, realizes resource recycling, and promotes the sustainable development of the industry.
Industrial chain synergy and internationalization
Top enterprises are no longer limited to a single manufacturing process, but extend upstream and downstream to create a full industry chain advantage. For example, Henan Haiborui has developed an integrated research and production model to enhance the company's risk resistance capabilities. At the same time, with the improvement of domestic product quality and the participation in the formulation of international standards (such as Huifu Nano leading the development of international standards for fumed silica), Chinese enterprises have gained more voice and market share in the international market.
Looking back at the "past and present" of China's silicon dioxide industry, its journey from scratch and from weakness to strength is a vivid portrayal of China's modern industrial development. From initially facing technological blockades and difficult explorations, to now breaking monopolies and achieving independent innovation, it is inseparable from the decades of perseverance and struggle of countless enterprises and researchers.
Looking ahead, with the vigorous development of strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, and electronic information, the demand for high-performance silica will continue to grow. The Chinese silicon dioxide industry will continue to forge ahead, constantly exploring and innovating on this path full of opportunities and challenges, and creating a more brilliant tomorrow.