In the global organic silicon industry, China is rising at an astonishing speed, from a former "follower" to a "leader". In 2017, China's production capacity of organic silicon monomers accounted for 52% of the global total, with both production and consumption accounting for 40% of the global total, and annual sales exceeding 45 billion yuan. Behind this achievement are decades of technological accumulation, industrial upgrading, and global layout in China's silicone industry.


Technological Breakthrough: From 'Neck Stuck' to 'Autonomous and Controllable'
The Chinese organic silicon industry started in the 1950s, but has long faced foreign technology blockades and monopolies. Until the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans, China gradually mastered the design and operation technology of single sets of organic silicon monomer devices with a capacity of 150000 tons/year or more through independent research and development and introduction and digestion. The diameter of fluidized bed reactors was expanded to 4 meters, the selectivity of dimethyl dichlorosilane was increased to over 83%, and the energy consumption per unit product was significantly reduced.


In the field of catalysts, Chinese companies have made breakthroughs in fluidized bed design, silicon powder and cycle control through years of exploration, and the cost level of some equipment is close to that of similar foreign equipment in China. For example, the pressure hydrolysis technology of chloromethane developed by Xin'an Chemical has increased the utilization rate of raw materials by 10%, and the high boiling cracking and low boiling disproportionation technologies of by-products have achieved the recycling of resources.


Industrial upgrading: from "scale expansion" to "high-quality development"
With the rapid expansion of production capacity, China's silicone industry is gradually shifting from "scale expansion" to "high-quality development". Through technological transformation and process optimization, enterprises have significantly improved production efficiency and product quality


Energy conservation and emission reduction: Domestic enterprises actively adopt new technologies such as pressurized hydrolysis of dimethyl concentrated acid and separation of hydrolysis products in the loop to reduce energy consumption and emissions. For example, Hesheng Silicon Industry has reduced unit product energy consumption by 15% and carbon dioxide emissions by 12% through a waste heat recovery system.
Green production: The industry's awareness of safety and environmental protection has significantly improved, and there have been no major safety and environmental accidents in the entire industry. By obtaining clean production certification, enterprises can reduce the discharge of wastewater, exhaust gas, and solid waste, and promote the green transformation of the industry.
High end development: Chinese enterprises increase research and development investment and extend to downstream high value-added fields. For example, the silicone sealant developed by Silicon Treasure Technology has been widely used in high-speed rail, aviation, and new energy fields, and its product performance has reached the international advanced level.
Global Layout: From "Made in China" to "Created in China"
Chinese silicone enterprises are participating in global competition with the attitude of "Made in China":


Capacity expansion: Leading enterprises such as Xingfa Group and Hesheng Silicon Industry have launched expansion plans one after another. For example, Xingfa Group plans to invest 6 billion yuan to build a 600000 ton/year organic silicon monomer project. After the project is completed, it will further consolidate China's leading position in the global organic silicon market.
Technical output: Chinese enterprises establish production bases overseas to export advanced technology and management experience. For example, Xin'an Chemical has invested in the construction of organic silicon monomer projects in Vietnam, adopting Chinese independent intellectual property technology and radiating its products to the Southeast Asian market.
Standard setting: China actively participates in international standard setting to enhance its industry discourse power. For example, the international standard for "Organic Silicon Sealing Adhesive" led by Silicon Treasure Technology has obtained ISO certification, providing technical support for Chinese enterprises to participate in global competition.
Challenge and Opportunity: Finding New Momentum in the Anti Encirclement Campaign
Despite significant achievements in China's silicone industry, it still faces challenges such as overcapacity, price wars, and international trade barriers. In the first half of 2025, the industry's profits will significantly decline year-on-year, and some companies will suffer losses. To solve the dilemma, the industry is promoting industrial upgrading through the "anti internal competition" policy:


Eliminating outdated production capacity: The government accelerates the elimination of outdated production capacity and optimizes the industrial structure through environmental protection, energy consumption, and other standards.
Strengthening industry self-discipline: Enterprises establish industry associations and alliances to enhance technical exchanges and cooperation, and avoid vicious competition.
Expanding the high-end market: Enterprises increase research and development investment, focus on high-end fields such as new energy, semiconductors, and biomedicine, and enhance product added value. For example, the organic silicon thermal conductive material developed by Jitai Co., Ltd. has been verified by CATL and applied to new energy vehicle battery packs, opening up new growth points for the company.
From technological breakthroughs to industrial upgrading, from global layout to addressing challenges, China's silicone industry is writing its own brilliant chapter with the posture of a "leader". In the future, with the advancement of the "dual carbon" target and the rise of high-end manufacturing, Chinese organic silicon will undoubtedly occupy a more advantageous position in global competition, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to sustainable human development.