(September 18, 2026) Continued technological advancements have been made in the field of domestic organic silicon intermediates. Hydroxysilicone (α,ω-dihydroxypolydimethylsiloxane, commonly known as 107 glue material) has achieved significant improvements in key aspects such as control of low-ring body impurities, batch stability, and customized molecular weight regulation due to the reactive hydroxyl groups at both ends of its molecule. This has accelerated the process of domestic substitution for high-end products.

The main chain of hydroxysilicone is a siloxane structure, with reactive hydroxyl groups at both ends. This preserves the basic properties of silicone, such as resistance to high and low temperatures, electrical insulation, and moisture resistance. It also allows for condensation and cross-linking reactions, making it a crucial raw material for room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber, sealants, and organic silicone-modified coatings. In the production of silicone rubber, small-molecule hydroxysilicone can serve as a regulator of the structure of silica, improving the processing properties of the rubber material and preventing hardening during storage. It is an essential additive in mixed rubber production. It is also widely used in textile softeners, paper anti-sticking agents, and leather treatments among other fine chemical applications.

In the past, domestic production of hydroxysilicone focused on general-purpose products. High-purity products such as those used in electronics and medical applications relied heavily on imports. The challenges involved were the presence of D4 and D5 ring siloxanes, control of metal ions, and precise control of molecular weight. With increasing environmental regulations in the emerging energy sector, semiconductor packaging, medical supplies, and high-end personal care industries, demand is shifting towards specialty hydroxysilicone products with low ring bodies, low impurities, and customizable hydroxyl content. Many domestic organic silicone companies have optimized their continuous polymerization processes and equipped themselves with molecular distillation equipment to reduce ring body impurities to very low levels. Their products are now available in electronic potting adhesives and new energy electronic sealants, and some grades have passed foreign compliance tests, meeting the requirements of export markets.

Downstream demand is driving significant growth. The demand for sealants for photovoltaic modules, electronic components in new energy vehicles, and thermal conductive silicone gels in computing centers is steadily increasing, contributing to higher demand for high-quality hydroxysilicone. The green transformation of the textile and personal care industries leads to increased purchases of organic silicone additives that are low-volatile and non-irritating. The industry landscape is changing: low-end production capacity is being eliminated, industry concentration is rising, and leading companies are expanding production of high-value specialty silicones. Market competition is shifting from pure price competition to a comprehensive service offering that includes custom formulations, stable supply, and compliance documentation.

Industry experts say that hydroxysilicone, as a “basic intermediate” in organic silicon materials, directly determines the aging resistance, mechanical and electrical performance of downstream silicone rubber and sealant materials. Future research will focus on single-ended hydroxyl modification and green processes for low-ring bodies, developing specialized grades suitable for high-demand applications such as biomedicine and semiconductors. As domestic material certifications become more widespread, it is expected that the domestic production rate of high-quality hydroxysilicone will continue to increase over the next 2-3 years. This will help improve the self-sufficiency of the entire organic silicone industry in China, enhance the competitiveness of domestic products in overseas markets, and meet the regulatory requirements of markets like the EU and South Korea.