Rapid advances in the technological environment are providing strong momentum for the growth of China’s carbon fiber industry. Over the past decade, China’s carbon fiber capabilities have evolved from technology follower to parallel innovator, with localized leadership emerging in selected segments.
China’s Carbon Fiber Capacity and Localization Outlook
According to industry data, China’s carbon fiber production capacity reached approximately 30,000 metric tons in 2023. However, the high-end carbon fiber segment still relies heavily on imports, with a domestic substitution rate of around 40%.
Looking ahead, this situation is expected to change significantly. By 2025, driven by technological breakthroughs from leading manufacturers such as Zhongfu Shenying and Guangwei Composites, the localization rate of high-performance carbon fiber in China is projected to exceed 70%. This shift will substantially reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and strengthen supply chain security for aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and advanced industrial applications.
Key Technology Development Trends in Carbon Fiber Materials
China’s carbon fiber industry is increasingly focused on four strategic technology directions:
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Ultra-high strength
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Ultra-high modulus
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Cost reduction
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Green and sustainable manufacturing
In the coming years, R&D efforts will prioritize:
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Super high-strength carbon fiber with tensile strength exceeding 6,000 MPa
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Ultra-high modulus carbon fiber with Young’s modulus above 500 GPa
These performance benchmarks are critical for next-generation aerospace structures, pressure vessels, and high-end composite materials.
PAN-Based Carbon Fiber Manufacturing Processes
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber remains the dominant production route in China. The manufacturing process mainly includes:
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Precursor fiber production
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Oxidation and carbonization
Precursor polymerization is typically divided into one-step and two-step processes, while fiber spinning methods include:
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Wet spinning
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Dry-jet wet spinning
Continuous process optimization in these stages is helping manufacturers improve yield, consistency, and cost efficiency.
Industrialization of Large-Tow, Low-Cost Carbon Fiber
Technological innovation is reshaping the industry structure. The industrialization of large-tow carbon fiber (48K and above) is accelerating rapidly. By 2025, production costs for large-tow carbon fiber are expected to be around 30% lower than standard tow products.
This cost reduction will drive broader adoption in industrial applications, increasing the share of industrial-grade carbon fiber usage from 65% in 2022 to an estimated 75% by 2030. Key application areas include infrastructure reinforcement, wind turbine blades, automotive lightweighting, and energy equipment.
Green Manufacturing and Carbon Fiber Recycling Technologies
Sustainability is becoming a core focus of China’s carbon fiber sector. Manufacturers are actively developing:
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High-efficiency pyrolysis recycling technologies
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Advanced solvent recovery systems
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Low-energy production processes
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Integration of renewable and green energy sources
These initiatives aim to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the carbon fiber and composite material lifecycle.
Policy Support and Opportunities for Domestic Manufacturers
The accelerated localization trend is creating major opportunities for domestic players such as Jilin Carbon Valley. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) under the “14th Five-Year Plan for New Materials Industry Development”, the domestic supply rate of carbon fiber raw materials is expected to exceed 85% by 2025.
At the same time, technical bottlenecks for key upstream chemicals—such as toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and styrene—are gradually being overcome, further strengthening China’s carbon fiber supply chain independence.
With continued breakthroughs in high-performance materials, large-tow carbon fiber, and green manufacturing, China’s carbon fiber industry is entering a new phase of high-quality growth. As localization accelerates and costs decline, China is positioned to become a global leader in carbon fiber production and innovation over the next decade.