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China is the dominant global exporter of barium carbonate, accounting for the majority of international supply, while the United States, Germany, and South Korea are the largest importers. Barium carbonate prices have remained relatively stable amid consistent demand from ceramics, electronics, and chemical manufacturing sectors. Export volumes from China have plateaued since 2022, while imports by Southeast Asian nations—including Vietnam and Thailand—have shown modest growth, reflecting expanding regional industrial use.
Market Intelligence Report on Barium Carbonate – Recent Commodity Market Dynamics
I. Price Dynamics
1. Heavy Barium Carbonate
- On June 23, 2026, Pingxiang Lixin Biochemical High-Tech Co., Ltd. (produced in Ankang, Shaanxi Province) quoted RMB 4,000 per metric ton for powdered industrial-grade heavy barium carbonate (≥99% purity), with delivery at Ankang City, Shaanxi Province.
- On June 16, 2026, Hubei Qiqiba Jihua Chemical Co., Ltd. (Wuhan, Hubei Province) quoted RMB 2,900 per metric ton for 99% heavy barium carbonate; meanwhile, Pingxiang Lixin Biochemical High-Tech Co., Ltd. (Ankang, Shaanxi) quoted RMB 3,500 per metric ton for the same specification—indicating a pronounced regional price differential.
2. Light Barium Carbonate
- On June 23, 2026, Pingxiang Lixin Biochemical High-Tech Co., Ltd. (Ankang, Shaanxi) quoted RMB 3,400 per metric ton for powdered industrial-grade light barium carbonate (≥99% purity), with delivery at Ankang City, Shaanxi Province.
- On June 16, 2026, Hubei Qiqiba Jihua Chemical Co., Ltd. (Wuhan, Hubei) quoted RMB 2,900 per metric ton for 99% light barium carbonate—the narrow price gap relative to heavy barium carbonate reflects structural differences in supply-demand dynamics.
3. High-Purity Barium Carbonate
- On June 19, 2026, the Base Price Index published by Shengyishe (Business Society) indicated that high-purity barium carbonate pricing is influenced by account-period costs (K) and regional, logistical, and brand-related premiums or discounts (C); however, no specific numerical values were disclosed.
- Industry data show that Guizhou Hongxing Development Co., Ltd.—the global leader in high-purity barium carbonate—holds approximately 60% domestic market share and around 40% global market share, conferring dominant pricing power in the premium segment.
4. Average Prices Across Major Producing Regions
- As of June 5, 2026, CBC Metal Network reported a national average price of RMB 3,305 per metric ton for barium carbonate (BaCO? ≥99.20% purity), with regional averages as follows: Jiangsu Province (RMB 3,195/ton), Shandong Province (RMB 3,145/ton), and Guizhou Province (RMB 2,990/ton)—demonstrating a clear tiered regional price structure.
II. Market Structure Analysis
1. Capacity and Market Share
- Global annual demand for barium carbonate stands at approximately 700,000–750,000 metric tons. Guizhou Hongxing Development Co., Ltd. commands an annual capacity of 290,000 tons, representing ~40% of global output and over 50% of China’s domestic production—establishing a 'Hongxing + Jinrui Mining' duopoly, with combined CR2 exceeding 90%.
- In the high-purity electronic-grade segment (4N/5N), Hongxing and Japan’s Sakai Chemical jointly monopolize the global high-end market. Leveraging its strategic advantage in low-strontium barite ore resources, Hongxing has expanded its global share in this niche to 40%, accounting for nearly 70% of non-Japanese supply chains.
2. Regional Supply-Demand Balance
- Significant inter-regional price disparities exist among major producing areas: Guizhou (RMB 2,990/ton) trades below the national average, reflecting its raw-material cost advantage; Shandong (RMB 3,145/ton) and Jiangsu (RMB 3,195/ton) command higher prices due to logistics costs and strong downstream demand.
- The Wuhan, Hubei quotation (RMB 2,900/ton) falls below even Guizhou’s level—potentially attributable to local inventory overhang or intensified competition among small- and medium-sized producers.
III. Key Drivers
1. Cost-Side Factors
- Primary raw materials for barium carbonate are barite (BaSO?) and coal. In 2026, global barite prices have risen under pressure from geopolitical factors—including export restrictions on low-strontium barite—and volatile energy costs, thereby increasing production expenses.
- Stricter environmental regulations have forced partial production cuts among smaller manufacturers, tightening overall supply and supporting price stability or upward movement.
2. Demand-Side Factors
- Downstream applications are distributed as follows: chemical industry (~40%), glass (~25%), ceramics (~15%), and electronics (~10%).
- Demand for high-purity barium carbonate in the electronics sector is growing notably, driven by expansion in MLCC (multilayer ceramic capacitor) and optical glass manufacturing capacities—exerting upward pressure on premium product pricing.
3. Policy and Trade Developments
- China’s implementation of low-strontium barite export controls (effective 2026) has constrained Sakai Chemical’s feedstock supply, accelerating global high-end supply concentration toward Hongxing and further consolidating its pricing authority.
- Short-term export disruptions to ordinary industrial-grade barium carbonate have arisen from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and U.S.-China trade tensions; however, long-term impacts remain limited.
IV. Outlook and Risks
1. Price Trend Forecast
- Short Term (1–3 months): Prices across major producing regions are expected to oscillate within RMB 3,000–3,500 per metric ton; high-purity products may see modest gains due to supply concentration.
- Long Term (6–12 months): Sustained robust demand from the electronics sector could push high-purity barium carbonate prices beyond historical highs; conversely, ordinary industrial-grade products may face downward pressure from new capacity coming online in Russia and Brazil.
2. Key Risk Factors
- Supply-Side Risks: Geopolitical disruptions to raw material transportation, or region-wide production suspensions triggered by intensified environmental inspections.
- Demand-Side Risks: A global economic downturn reducing demand from electronics and glass sectors, or accelerated substitution by alternative materials (e.g., zirconium salts) in emerging energy applications.
- Competitive Landscape Risks: Technological breakthroughs by domestic small- and medium-sized producers could erode the duopoly position held by Hongxing and Jinrui, potentially triggering price wars.
Barium carbonate is a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is non-volatile and decomposes above 1300 °C without a distinct boiling point. It is an inorganic salt and the principal commercial compound of barium. Barium carbonate serves primarily as a precursor in the production of other barium compounds—including barium oxide, barium chloride, and specialty barium salts—and is widely used in the manufacture of ceramics, glass, and electronic components such as dielectric materials for capacitors. It is also employed in the formulation of rat poisons and as a flux in metallurgical processes. Its applications are concentrated in ceramics, electronics, glassmaking, and certain agrochemical formulations.
(1) Barium carbonate is mainly used for the manufacture of optical glass, funnels, and barium magnetic materials, the manufacture of other barium salts, ceramic, enamel, paint, welding rod feed(2) It is important chemical raw materials for the production of funnels, magnetic materials and advanced optical glass.(3) It is used for fireworks, flares preparation, also used for auxiliary material of ceramic coatings and optical glass.(4) It is used for the manufacture of electronic ceramics, PTC thermistors, capacitors and other electronic components.(5) Barium carbonate is mainly used for the manufacture of optical glass, CRT glass, and barium magnetic materials and capacitors, it is also used for carburizing steel and metal surface treatment. It is the raw material of manufacturing other barium salts and ceramic, enamel, pigments, paints, rubber, electrode. It is also used as rodenticides and purifying agent, oxidation catalyst.(6) It is mainly used for the manufacture of optical glass, CRT glass, and barium magnetic materials and capacitors, it is also used for carburizing steel and metal surface treatment. It is the raw material of manufacturing other locks salt and ceramic, enamel, pigments, paints, rubber, electrode. It is also used as purifying agent and rodenticides.(7) It is used for the production of funnels, electronic ceramics and purified water, producing pigment, paint or other barium salts, it is used for the manufacture of optical glass, barium magnetic materials, it is important chemical raw material of manufacturing funnels, magnetic materials and advanced optical glass. It is used for fireworks, flares preparation, it is also used as auxiliary material of ceramic coatings and optical glass, it is used for manufacturing electronic ceramics, PTC thermistor, capacitor of electronic components, it is mainly used in the manufacture of optical glass, CRT glass and barium magnetic materials and capacitors, it is also used for carburizing steel and metal surface treatment. It is raw material of manufacturing other barium salts and ceramic, enamel, pigments, paints, rubber, electrode materials. It is also used as rodenticides and purifying agent, oxidation catalyst. It is mainly used in the manufacture of optical glass, CRT glass and barium magnetic.
Industrial product is white powder. Almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, soluble in acid and ammonium chloride solution.
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals. See more about what is Barium carbonate and Barium carbonate SDS information.
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