(June 7, 2026) In early June, overall domestic silica factory inventories remained low. Most large manufacturers mainly scheduled production by order, with spot circulation sources tightening. Three-way bargaining among traders, manufacturers, and downstream processing plants has become a key feature of the current market.

According to market research, after phased downstream re-mining in May, finished product inventory at silica factories has been significantly reduced. Mainstream manufacturers' inventory remains within a reasonable 7-12 day range, while some manufacturers focused on high-end customized products have basically zero inventory and no excess spot goods are being released. Manufacturers hold orders to support their quotes and are reluctant to offer large discounts, so spot prices remain firm in the short term.

In contrast, mid- and downstream product manufacturers, such as adhesives, rubber products, and small to medium-sized footwear factories, due to weak finished product shipments, insist on purchasing in small batches as needed, refusing to stockpile in large quantities in advance, and remain cautious. Traders are caught in the middle: on one side, it's hard to get goods from factories at low prices, while downstream buyers are buying at lower prices. Intermediaries' willingness to stockpile cools, and they mostly adopt short-term, fast-in, quick-out models, greatly reducing speculative stockpiling in the industry.

Regional market differentiation is prominent: Shandong and East China have stable rigid demand in tire production areas, and white carbon transactions are smooth; The daily rubber and plastics industries in South and Southwest China are operating insufficiently, spot sales are slow, and the price gap between the north and south of the same grade is gradually widening.

On the export side, overseas buyers are watching raw material fluctuations, large orders are slowing down, and most are purchasing in scattered trial orders, which to some extent eases the pressure of domestic sources converging into the domestic market.

Industry insiders predict that without a wave of new concentrated stockpiles, the momentum for a sharp rise in white carbon black prices will be insufficient in the short term. Relying on low inventories to support a sharp decline, the market may continue to fluctuate within a narrow range, with a competitive rally likely to persist throughout mid to late June.