(June 6, 2026) In the first half of 2026, with the rapid expansion of domestic daily chemicals, feed, lithium battery support, and the silicone industry chain, demand for specialized specialty silica in niche sectors surged quickly, breaking the previous industry reliance on a single tire market. Refined specialty silica has become the core growth engine of the silica industry.
In the daily chemical industry, domestic toothpaste and skincare manufacturers are gradually promoting raw material localization, steadily increasing procurement of ultrafine silica to replace imported products. Orders for hydrophilic silica used in toothpaste abrasives and skin care thickening continue to rise, and many white carbon black manufacturers are optimizing powder pore structure and oil absorption value, offering considerable premium space for customized products. Driven by the large-scale development of domestic farming, the feed segment has seen steadily rising demand for anti-caking specialized hydrophobic silica. Compared to traditional rubber silica, feed-grade products have gross margins over 30% higher, making them a key category for many companies.
The new energy sector continues to release incremental growth, with orders for modified silica used in power battery electrolyte additives and separator reinforcement fillers steadily increasing. Leading downstream lithium battery companies are accelerating supply chain localization, forcing them to optimize ultrafine grinding and surface modification technologies. Previously, these high-end products relied on overseas supply, but the penetration rate of domestic products is now rising month by month.
In contrast, the market for traditional tires and ordinary silica for general rubber has stable downstream operations and cautious procurement, resulting in fierce competition and thin profit margins. Many established white carbon black producers have proactively adjusted their product structures, reduced generic grade capacity, and concentrated capacity to further specialize in niche categories.
On the export side, fine chemical manufacturers in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia have increased their purchases of Chinese specialty white silica. Thanks to cost-effectiveness and customized service advantages, domestic overseas shipments of fine white carbon have steadily risen. Industry research institutions analyze that in the next three years, the growth rate of segmented specialty white carbon black markets will far exceed that of general products, and refined product transformation will be the key breakthrough for small and medium-sized white carbon black companies.
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