Carbon Black Market in October 2025

Carbon Black Market Analysis

1. Carbon Black Market Analysis

In October, carbon black market prices experienced varying degrees of slight decline. As of October 28th, the average monthly price of mainstream N330 carbon black was: Shandong 6114 yuan/ton; Shanxi 6000 yuan/ton; Hebei 6236 yuan/ton; Guangzhou 6436 yuan/ton; Zhejiang 6200 yuan/ton.

The carbon black market experienced a downward trend this month. At the beginning of the month, new order negotiations were weak. After the National Day holiday, some regions saw a slight increase in raw material coal tar tenders, limiting the cost-side driving force. Although downstream tire companies gradually resumed operations, their enthusiasm for purchasing raw materials was not high. The market mainly focused on fulfilling pre-holiday contracts, leading to a decline in new order offers.

Downstream buyers adopted a wait-and-see attitude, resulting in limited acceptance volume. The market was clearly bearish, and the focus of new order negotiations in the carbon black market shifted downwards. In the middle of the month, new carbon black prices continued their downward trend. After some major manufacturers lowered their quoted prices, most other markets followed suit.

Furthermore, subsequent declines in new orders for raw material coal tar further dampened market sentiment. Market inventory remained high, and while some manufacturers lowered their new orders to capture downstream market share, downstream buyers, pessimistic about the future, primarily focused on immediate needs. Towards the end of the month, the downward trend in carbon black prices remained unchanged.

However, recent significant losses in the carbon black market have led manufacturers to maintain prices, narrowing the room for further declines. At the end of the month, some plants undergoing maintenance are expected to resume operations, increasing supply and putting pressure on sales. New orders in the market maintained a narrow downward trend.

Market Forecast: Looking ahead to next month, the raw material coal tar market is expected to continue its downward trend. There is little positive impact from the cost side. Downstream buyers will focus on immediate needs, and there will be continued downward pressure on new order negotiations. Weak end-user demand is the main factor weighing on the market. Overall, further declines in carbon black market negotiations are possible.

Carbon Black Monthly Average Price Comparison

Carbon Black Industry Profit Statistics

In October, new order negotiation prices in the carbon black market declined, leading to wider losses in market profits. Raw material prices fluctuated, with natural rubber and synthetic rubber prices rising slightly while carbon black prices fell, resulting in minimal fluctuations in the cost index. Taking N330 carbon black enterprises in Shandong as an example, the theoretical average profit margin for the carbon black industry in October was -264 yuan/ton.

Market Operating Rate Statistics for This Month

1. Carbon Black Market Operating Rate Analysis

The carbon black market operating rate in October was 67.68%, maintaining a higher trend compared to September. In October, some enterprises in Shandong underwent maintenance after the holiday, while a major plant resumed operations after completing maintenance. Some facilities in Hebei also underwent maintenance. Enterprises in other regions maintained low operating rates. Towards the end of the month, as the weather turned colder, some enterprises had supply guarantee tasks, and the fluctuation range of operating rates is expected to narrow further.

2. Downstream Market Operating Rate Analysis

At the beginning of the month, during the National Day holiday, all-steel tire and semi-steel tire manufacturers suspended operations for maintenance, dragging down the operating rate of tire companies. After the holiday, maintenance companies resumed operations as planned, and most companies' operating rates returned to pre-holiday levels.

Overall shipment performance varied; some companies implemented promotional sales, resulting in improved shipments compared to before the holiday, while others raised prices, slowing down the shipment pace. Towards the end of the month, tire company operating rates slightly increased.

Earlier-than-usual snowfall in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia led to concentrated demand for snow tires, prompting semi-steel tire manufacturers to actively schedule production, thus boosting operating rates. All-steel tire manufacturers largely resumed production at normal levels, leading to a slight increase in overall operating rates.

Production

China's carbon black production in October 2025 is projected to be 487,200 tons, a decrease of 10,800 tons from the previous month, representing a month-on-month decrease of 2.19%.

Production Import and Export Data and Trend Chart

According to customs data, China imported 17,900 tons of carbon black in September 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 18.86% and a month-on-month decrease of 34.26%. From January to September 2025, China's cumulative carbon black imports totaled 252,800 tons, an increase of 11.35% compared to the same period last year.

According to customs data, China exported approximately 85,800 tons of carbon black in September 2025, a year-on-year increase of 15.63% and a month-on-month decrease of 26.45%. From January to September 2025, China's cumulative carbon black exports totaled 876,900 tons, an increase of 45.19% compared to the same period last year.

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