Downstream Demand: Construction & Electronic Silicone Demand
Center Sentence: Downstream demand for silicone products is gradually recovering in April 2026, driven by the recovery of construction engineering, the steady development of electronic appliances, and the rapid expansion of new energy (new energy vehicles, photovoltaics) sectors, providing strong support for the stable operation of the silicone market.
Keywords: silicone downstream demand, construction silicone, electronic silicone, new energy silicone, silicone sealant, silicone thermal conductive materials, photovoltaic silicone
Detailed Demand Performance by Sector:
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Construction sector (accounting for 45% of total silicone demand):
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Infrastructure and real estate commencement activities have improved significantly in April. According to data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the commencement rate of key infrastructure projects in China reached 78.3% in the first ten days of April, an increase of 5.2 percentage points month-on-month.
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Architectural silicone sealants and structural adhesives are in stable demand. Large construction enterprises (China State Construction, China Railway Construction) have increased purchases of high-performance silicone sealants for curtain wall projects and prefabricated buildings, with a month-on-month increase of 8–10% in demand.
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Home improvement market: With the recovery of the real estate delivery market, the demand for silicone sealants and adhesives in home decoration (window sealing, bathroom waterproofing) has also increased, driving the sales volume of small and medium-sized silicone processing enterprises.
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Electronic appliance sector (accounting for 25% of total silicone demand):
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Domestic electronic manufacturing and home appliance producers (Midea, Gree, Xiaomi) have increased material preparation for the second quarter, boosting demand for thermal conductive silicone, insulating silicone, and silicone gaskets.
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3C electronics: TWS earphones, smart wearables, and smartphones have a strong demand for high-precision liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and silicone thermal pads, with a year-on-year increase of 12–15% in demand.
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Home appliances: Air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines use silicone sealing strips and thermal conductive materials, with demand remaining stable, supported by the domestic consumption promotion policy.
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New energy sector (accounting for 20% of total silicone demand):
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New energy vehicles (NEVs): The domestic NEV production and sales volume in March reached 380,000 units and 375,000 units respectively, a year-on-year increase of 28% and 25%. This drives the demand for silicone thermal management materials (thermal conductive silicone grease, thermal conductive pads), potting adhesives, and insulating gaskets, with a month-on-month increase of 15–18% in demand.
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Photovoltaics: The global photovoltaic installed capacity in the first quarter of 2026 reached 75GW, a year-on-year increase of 30%. High-temperature-resistant, UV-resistant silicone materials for photovoltaic modules (sealants, encapsulants) are in strong demand, and major photovoltaic enterprises (Longi, JA Solar) have signed long-term supply contracts with silicone manufacturers.
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Other sectors: The demand for silicone materials in the daily chemical, textile, and machinery sectors remains stable, with no obvious fluctuations, providing a basic guarantee for the overall demand of the silicone industry.
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