How does China's barium sulfate capacity landscape look in terms of global leadership?

How does China's barium sulfate capacity landscape look in terms of global leadership?
China dominates global barium sulfate production, with Red Star Development holding the largest capacity at 55,000 tons per year, claiming roughly 40% global market share. The company's overall barium salt complex, including 290,000 tons of barium carbonate capacity, makes it the world's largest integrated producer. Other significant Chinese players include Shenzhou Jiaxin Chemical, Shaanxi Fuhua Chemical, and Jimei Fine Chemical, which has invested RMB 678 million in a 200,000-ton facility in Guangxi's Xiangzhou, a barite-rich region. Jimei's operation features advanced German particle size control technology and surface treatment, targeting high-end applications like automotive coatings, coil coatings, and BOPET films. The competitive landscape shows Chinese producers moving beyond commodity grades toward specialty products with controlled particle size distributions down to 20 nanometers.