As of mid-October 2026, China’s precipitated silica market continues to follow a structural divergence trend, with prices of standard precipitated silica fluctuating within a narrow range. Commodity monitoring data shows the benchmark quotation of standard precipitated silica holds steady at around 6400 CNY/ton, with minimal price volatility recently and no upward momentum in the market. Downstream traditional rubber and footwear sectors face weak orders and sustained capital pressure. Buyers adopt hand-to-mouth procurement strategies, while traders remain cautious and reluctant to build inventories. Market transactions are dominated by long-term framework orders from regular clients, and there is considerable bargaining room for sporadic small orders. East China production areas enjoy sufficient supply and fierce spot market competition. Affected by raw material transportation and energy consumption costs, spot transaction prices in Southwest and Central China are slightly higher than those in East China. Many manufacturers of standard grades adjust operating rates on demand to control finished goods inventory and reduce working capital occupation.

　　On the supply side, new capacity expansion of domestic precipitated silica is continuously focused on high-end modified products such as high-dispersion precipitated silica for tires and hydrophobic fumed silica. Approval for new capacity of low-end standard precipitated silica has been tightened. Regular supervision on environmental protection and work safety in the industry keeps moving forward. Small manufacturers without supporting environmental facilities face production restrictions, backward capacity is phased out steadily, and industrial concentration rises gradually. Raw material costs of sodium silicate, sulfuric acid and electricity fluctuate slightly, continuously squeezing profit margins of ordinary precipitated silica producers. Leading enterprises accelerate production line optimization, phase out outdated and inefficient equipment, and concentrate resources on high-value specialty precipitated silica. The industrialization of low-carbon-process precipitated silica is steadily promoted, complying with overseas carbon control policies and becoming a key development direction for leading manufacturers.

　　The polarization on the demand side remains prominent. Traditional downstream demand stays sluggish; operating rates of footwear and ordinary rubber miscellaneous parts are relatively low, leading to limited purchase volume of precipitated silica. The matting powder segment for coatings only maintains basic demand. New energy green tires remain the core growth track for precipitated silica. With the steady penetration of new energy vehicles in China and continuous upgrading of tire formulations, high-dispersion precipitated silica can reduce rolling resistance and improve wet skid resistance. Its proportion in tire formulations keeps rising, and orders for related grades remain stable. Demand from the organosilicon industrial chain continues to expand. As the key reinforcing filler for silicone rubber, fumed silica benefits from rising demand in electronic potting, photovoltaic sealing, cable sealing and other fields. Emerging application scenarios including lithium battery separators, industrial adhesives and composite materials keep expanding, and demand for various modified specialty precipitated silica grows steadily. The high price of carbon black pushes rubber enterprises to accelerate filler substitution, which benefits high-performance precipitated silica in the medium and long term.

　　In foreign trade, the export structure of domestic precipitated silica keeps optimizing. Overseas inquiries for high-dispersion precipitated silica of tire grade increase steadily, and buyers from Europe and Southeast Asia keep raising purchase volumes. With the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, precipitated silica produced by low-carbon processes has carbon footprint advantages, and overseas buyers are willing to pay premium prices. Exports of standard precipitated silica face low-price competition from local manufacturers in Southeast Asia, resulting in sluggish export growth of conventional grades. Fluctuations in international ocean freight rates and exchange rates bring uncertainties to long quotation of foreign trade companies, making enterprises more prudent in accepting forward orders. Imported precipitated silica is mainly ultra-high-purity specialty grades, mostly used in pharmaceutical carriers, high-end daily chemicals and precision polishing. Domestic enterprises carry out continuous technical research, and the process of import substitution advances steadily.

　　Market outlook: The structural divergence pattern of China’s precipitated silica market is unlikely to reverse in the short run. Prices of standard precipitated silica will probably stay weak and stable with slow inventory digestion; demand for high-dispersion tire silica and high-end fumed silica remains firm with high-level price fluctuations. In the medium and long term, driven by the expansion of new energy vehicles, high-end organosilicon and electronic new material industries, high-performance precipitated silica will enjoy sustained growth potential. Industry competition shifts from pure price competition to comprehensive competition covering modification technology, low-carbon production and formulation supporting services. Small and medium-sized manufacturers with weak R&D capability and single product portfolio will face mounting operational pressure, and industrial resources will keep concentrating on leading enterprises.