News summary
The operating rate across 51 monitored Chinese carbon black producers reached 60% during the week ending 5 November 2026, rising 0.7 percentage points week on week, according to Longzhong.
News details
The data cover a monitored company sample over 30 October–5 November, rather than every plant in China. Some producers raised their activity while others reduced it, yielding a modest net improvement in the reported rate.
With the heating season approaching, certain operators are planning to maintain supply. Longzhong expects large producers to remain relatively stable while smaller plants may continue at lower loads. A 0.7 percentage-point change in operating rate is not the same as a 0.7% increase in tonnes produced.
Analysis of this news
A small supply recovery without matching demand strength could intensify competition, while high input costs may limit price concessions. For buyers, supply reliability and grade consistency remain important alongside unit cost.
Related products and internal links
See the manufactured P-30 pigment grade for coloring applications, and the N330 and N550 supply pages for rubber-related requirements.