In 2026, the global organosilicon supply map is undergoing profound adjustment. Dow Inc. announced it will permanently shut its 145,000-ton/year monomer plant in Wales, UK, by mid-year, citing “high energy costs and aging assets.” Meanwhile, several German and Japanese producers have reduced operating loads due to volatile natural gas prices. According to ICIS, planned global capacity retirements in 2026 total about 220,000 tons—12% of non-Chinese capacity.
This trend offers dual benefits for China. First, import dependency continues to decline: net imports fell 12% year-on-year to 83,000 tons in 2025 and may reach full self-sufficiency in 2026. Second, domestic premium products are gaining substitution opportunities. High-end silicones for electronics and medical devices—long dominated by Shin-Etsu, Wacker, and Momentive—are now being reevaluated by downstream customers amid tightening overseas supply.
For instance, a Chinese chipmaker completed validation testing of Hoshine’s high-purity vinyl silicone oil in Q1 2026; a medical tubing manufacturer is assessing platinum-cure silicones from Jingxin. Though early-stage, these breakthroughs are significant.
