(May 26, 2026) Currently, the domestic chemical new materials market is continuously adjusting its consumption structure. As a functional filler with extremely wide application scenarios, silica is no longer limited to the traditional rubber tire sector. Relying on customized modification and adaptability to specific scenarios, it is opening up growth opportunities in multiple downstream fields such as coatings, daily chemicals, new energy, and rubber and plastic products. The industry's development logic has shifted from pure capacity competition to refined and differentiated product competition.

In the past two years, the traditional general-purpose white carbon black market has become saturated, with price fluctuations for ordinary precipitation products and intensified industry homogeneous competition. Against this backdrop, domestic manufacturers are shifting their development directions, focusing on deepening their presence in niche markets, and developing specialized modified silica tailored to the needs of different industries, forging differentiated development paths. According to industry research data, in the first half of 2026, sales of various customized white carbon black products will surge, with their share of total market consumption rising to 32%, becoming the core driver of industry revenue growth.

The coatings and ink industry is one of the main application markets for customized silica. Matte coatings, industrial anti-corrosion paints, and high-end printing inks have strict requirements for the matting effect, suspension stability, and weather resistance of the fillers. Specialized white carbon black processed with hydrophobic modification and ultra-fine grading can effectively adjust the gloss of the paint film, prevent pigment settling, and enhance the coating's wear resistance and aging resistance. Currently, many domestic coating companies have fully replaced some imported fillers. Domestic specialized white carbon black has achieved market penetration thanks to its high cost-performance ratio, with regional orders continuing to rise.

Demand in daily chemical and rubber and plastic products sectors also remained strong. In shoe materials, silicone products, and food-contact grade rubber and plastic accessories, white carbon black plays a role in reinforcement, toughening, and anti-yellowing; In daily chemical products such as toothpaste and skincare, high-purity nano silica is used as an abrasive and thickener, and its safety and user experience are highly recognized by the market. With the upgrading of consumer consumption and continuous iteration of downstream end products, companies are in turn being forced to optimize product indicators and launch high-purity series such as food-grade, daily-use, and medical-grade products, completing their product portfolios.

The rise of the new energy industry has opened up a brand-new growth curve for silica. In lithium batteries, photovoltaic films, and energy storage material systems, fumed-phase silica has become an indispensable auxiliary material due to its excellent insulation, thickening, and anti-caking properties. Compared to traditional products, the new energy sector sets higher standards for silica particle size, purity, and dispersibility. Domestic companies continue to tackle high-end vapor-phase production processes, gradually breaking down overseas technological barriers. Currently, domestic new energy-specific white carbon has achieved stable supply in small batches, with broad potential for future import substitution.

On the foreign trade side, new characteristics are also evident: overseas procurement orders no longer concentrate on general raw materials, and the proportion of customized, small-batch, and multi-specification orders has significantly increased. Overseas customers prefer domestic manufacturers who can provide formula adaptation and technical support services, which has also driven domestic white carbon black companies to shift from purely exporting products to integrating "product and technical services." From January to April 2026, segmented categories of white carbon black exports grew by 9.2% year-on-year, with steady overseas market recognition.

Industry insiders analyze that in the short term, fluctuations in raw material prices and increased environmental controls will still put some operational pressure on the industry, but in the long run, deepening niche sectors, high-end customization, and application technology R&D will be the mainstream development directions for the silica industry. In the future, companies with R&D capabilities that can quickly respond to downstream personalized needs will continue to seize market opportunities and drive the entire industry steadily toward high added value and high quality.