In the second half of 2026, the structural differentiation within China’s precipitated silica industry has become more prominent. The backward production capacity of low-end general precipitated silica continues to phase out, while high value-added products including highly dispersible tire-grade precipitated silica, fumed silica and bio-based silica maintain robust order growth, and the progress of domestic substitution speeds up evidently. For a long time, China’s precipitated silica industry has faced the contradiction of overcapacity in low-end products and insufficient supply of high-end materials. In the past few years, numerous small and medium manufacturers relied on low prices to occupy the market with ordinary precipitated silica, leading to fierce industry competition and low overall profit margins. With stricter environmental policies and higher quality requirements from downstream customers, a batch of outdated production lines characterized by backward processes, high energy consumption and poor product consistency have been shut down gradually, continuously optimizing the industry supply structure. In sharp contrast, the high-end modified precipitated silica track keeps gaining popularity. Many domestic enterprises specializing in organosilicon and powder materials have increased R&D investment, built new production lines for special grades such as highly dispersible, super hydrophilic and hydrophobically modified silica, and gradually entered high-end application markets including tires, silicone rubber and electronic materials.

　　Recently, leading domestic enterprises have continuously pushed forward the construction of precipitated silica projects using rice husk ash biomass. Adopting agricultural and forestry waste as raw materials for green processes, these projects greatly cut production energy consumption and carbon emissions, creating a brand-new technical route different from the traditional wet method. Traditional precipitated silica production consumes large amounts of sodium silicate and sulfuric acid, bringing heavy pressure on wastewater discharge and energy use. In comparison, rice husk ash is an agricultural by-product with easy access to raw materials and a much lower carbon footprint, which better meets the low-carbon procurement requirements of downstream brands at home and abroad. Such bio-based precipitated silica can be applied in rubber, coatings and fillers, matching the demand for low-carbon supply chains of downstream buyers. Multiple ten-thousand-ton projects are currently under construction and scheduled to release production capacity gradually in the next two years. Apart from the rice husk route, some enterprises are also developing processes to produce precipitated silica from recycled silicon slag, promoting the resource utilization of industrial solid waste to further cut raw material costs and practice circular economy.

　　On the downstream demand side, the expansion of green tire industry driven by new energy vehicles boosts the market. As a core reinforcing filler for tires, highly dispersible precipitated silica reduces rolling resistance and improves wet grip, with its market penetration rising steadily. Tire label regulations around the world are continuously upgraded, setting higher standards for tire rolling resistance and wear resistance. Tire manufacturers keep raising the proportion of highly dispersible precipitated silica in formulas to replace traditional carbon black. Meanwhile, demand for modified precipitated silica in coatings, silicone rubber, lithium battery separators, oral care and other fields grows steadily, driving market demand for special-grade powder materials. In the organosilicon sector, hydrophobic precipitated silica serves as a key reinforcing filler for silicone rubber. With the steady expansion of domestic organosilicon capacity, the supporting demand for precipitated silica rises synchronously. In the coating industry, precipitated silica for matting and anti-settling finds wider applications in industrial coatings and wood lacquers. Emerging tracks such as lithium batteries, pharmaceuticals and daily chemicals also continuously generate new market demand for ultra-fine, high-purity special precipitated silica.

　　Internationally, the EU plans to classify synthetic amorphous silica as a hazardous substance. Once the new regulation takes effect, it will reshape global trade rules of precipitated silica and product formula design, forcing domestic exporters to prepare in advance for product compliance and supply chain plans. After the classification comes into force, precipitated silica exported to the EU will require adjustments in packaging, transportation, safety data sheets and labeling, pushing up export costs. Domestic enterprises are also accelerating research on core technologies including surface modification and micro-nano particle size regulation, narrowing the gap with overseas giants in product stability and batch consistency, and gradually breaking the long-term monopoly of foreign brands in the high-end market. Many domestic material enterprises have set up dedicated application laboratories to jointly develop customized grades with downstream clients in tire, coating and silicone rubber industries. They adjust particle size, specific surface area and surface functional groups according to customers’ formula requirements to improve product adaptability.

　　In terms of market quotations, the price of domestic general rubber-grade precipitated silica remains stable with minor fluctuations, squeezing profit margins in the industry. High-end functional precipitated silica enjoys stronger pricing power and has become the main profit growth engine for manufacturers. The general precipitated silica market is highly competitive, and raw material cost fluctuations directly erode corporate profits, leaving little room for enterprises to transfer cost pressure via price hikes. In contrast, hydrophobic modified, highly dispersible and fumed precipitated silica are high-end products with high technical barriers and fewer competitors, delivering considerable product premium. Industry insiders generally believe that competition in the precipitated silica sector will completely move beyond simple price wars, and shift toward comprehensive competition in customized formulation, green low-carbon production and stable supply. Enterprises equipped with R&D capabilities, complete supporting production lines and sound application service systems will keep benefiting. In the medium and long run, with the sustained development of new energy and new material industries in downstream sectors, coupled with the promotion of global low-carbon policies, high-end special precipitated silica boasts broad market growth space, and domestic material enterprises will embrace greater development opportunities.