Core Insights - The future development trends of China's carbon black industry will focus on technological innovation, product upgrades, and sustainability [1] - The carbon black production capacity is expected to continue growing, with a total output of 6.67 million tons in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.55% [1] - Market demand for full-steel tires may remain weak due to a sluggish end market, while semi-steel tires face challenges from capacity transfer and trade barriers [1] Industry Challenges - The raw material costs present a significant challenge, with an expected addition of nearly 20 million tons of coking coal capacity by 2025, but limited growth in demand due to steel production controls [2] - The coal tar market faces both positive and negative factors, with potential supply tightness due to policy changes, but insufficient demand in downstream processing leading to price pressures [2] - Despite ample raw materials, high demand keeps coking coal and coal tar prices elevated, and only a simultaneous decline in prices of medium-temperature asphalt, fuel oil, and coal tar may resolve cost issues in carbon black manufacturing [2] Strategic Recommendations - Companies should enhance R&D efforts for new products, promote high-end carbon black product import substitution, and accelerate the industry's transition towards differentiation, specialization, and customization [3] - In the specialty carbon black sector, firms need to leverage technological innovation to improve product performance and reduce production costs to gain a competitive edge [3] - The demand for conductive carbon black is expected to grow with the development of new energy sectors, presenting an opportunity for companies to achieve technological breakthroughs and import substitution [3]