With the iterative upgrading of domestic production technologies and steady improvement of product quality, the export volume of China’s food-grade silica dioxide has been on a continuous upward trajectory. In particular, high-purity and functional high-end products are gradually breaking the market monopoly of European and American enterprises, securing a larger share in the international market.

Previously, the majority of food-grade silica dioxide exported from China was mid-to-low-end products, which competed in the international market mainly by virtue of price advantages, while the high-end market had long been dominated by established chemical enterprises from Germany, the United States and other countries. In recent years, domestic enterprises have increased R&D investment and overcome the technical challenges in the preparation of fumed silica with high specific surface area. The purity of the resulting products can reach over 99.8%, with a stable specific surface area ranging from 200 to 300 m²/g. All indicators meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and some performance metrics even surpass those of international counterparts.

On the application side, domestically produced high-end food-grade silica dioxide has successfully entered the supply chains of many well-known European and American food enterprises, and is widely used in the production of infant formula powder, sports nutrition protein powder, high-end condiments and other products. Data from an export-oriented enterprise shows that in the first half of 2025, the export value of its high-end food-grade silica dioxide surged by 45% year-on-year, with exports to the EU and North American markets accounting for 60% of the total. Meanwhile, by optimizing green production processes, enterprises have reduced product carbon emissions and successfully obtained certification under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), further removing obstacles to exports.

Industry experts indicate that as the global food industry’s demand for high-quality additives grows, the export potential of China-made food-grade silica dioxide will continue to be unleashed. In the future, customized functional products developed in line with downstream demands will become the core competitiveness for breaking into the international market.