(October 30, 2026) Progress has been made in the domestic organosilicon new material industry. Several key organosilicon companies have optimized their production processes for low-ring, high-purity hydroxyl silicone oils. Through continuous polymerization and molecular distillation techniques, they have successfully controlled the levels of ring siloxane D4/D5/D6 residues and metal ion impurities. These products are now being used in high-end supply chains such as new energy electronics, high-end care products, and precision sealing applications. The process of replacing foreign-made high-end hydroxyl silicone oils with domestically produced ones is accelerating significantly.

Hydroxyl silicone oil is a core reactive intermediate in the organosilicon industry chain. Its molecular structure contains active hydroxyl groups, which allow it to undergo condensation and cross-linking reactions – what is known in the industry as “107 base gum”. It is widely used as a base material for room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubbers, a structural controller for silicone rubbers, a softener for fabrics, a leveling agent for coatings, and a anti-sticking ingredient for paper. It also serves as a basic raw material for many modified silicone oil formulations. Its ability to withstand high and low temperatures, provide insulation, and have low surface tension makes it suitable for various applications such as photovoltaic energy storage, automotive electronics, beauty and personal care products, and building sealing applications.

According to industry research, there is sufficient capacity for general industrial-grade hydroxyl silicone oil in China, and the self-sufficiency rate remains high. However, electronic-grade, low-ring medical-grade, and cosmetic-grade hydroxyl silicone oil has historically relied on foreign suppliers, leading to issues such as variability in delivery times, high costs, and long periods required for compliance documentation. As a result, downstream manufacturers involved in new energy packaging and high-end beauty products face challenges related to supply chain security.

The recent process improvements focus on three key aspects: residual ring siloxanes, stability of hydroxyl content, and control of metal ions. Leading manufacturers have replaced traditional batch processing methods with closed, continuous reaction systems, along with multi-stage molecular distillation techniques. As a result, the total residual ring siloxane content in some products can be kept below 50 ppm, and the total amount of metal ions is less than 1 ppm. The batch variation in hydroxyl content has decreased, and the products meet the new regulatory requirements for cosmetic D4 products in foreign markets, as well as the low volatility requirements for electronic encapsulation. These products are suitable for applications such as Mini LED encapsulation adhesives, power battery sealants, high-end hair care treatments, and medical silicone substrates.

Green production practices are also a key aspect of this improvement. New halogen-free catalytic systems improve the conversion rate of raw materials, reduce energy consumption per unit product, and increase the recovery rate of by-products. This aligns with the trend toward low-carbon production in fine chemical industries. With automated production lines operating more consistently, the delivery time for high-end products is shorter compared to imported products. This reduces the purchasing costs for downstream companies. Many manufacturers in the fields of photovoltaics and energy storage have already completed pilot, mid-scale, and mass production tests, and are gradually switching to domestic raw materials.

Industry experts believe that as the regulatory standards in China’s downstream sectors such as new energy, new materials, and beauty products continue to rise, market demand is shifting from focusing solely on viscosity indicators to considering overall factors such as residual ring siloxanes, volatiles, biocompatibility, and batch consistency. The competition in the hydroxyl silicone oil industry is moving away from homogeneous, low-price competition towards customized, high-purity products and technical services. In the future, with the implementation of industry standards and improved testing mechanisms, domestic low-ring hydroxyl silicone oil will likely gain a larger share in the B2B export market overseas, becoming one of the important products in China’s organosilicon new materials exports.