Carbon fiber is renowned for its exceptional high-temperature and corrosion resistance, earning it titles such as the "King of New Materials" and "Black Gold." With a density less than one-quarter that of steel yet a strength seven to nine times greater, it embodies a unique blend of rigidity and flexibility-possessing the pliability of a fiber while being harder than steel, despite being as fine as a human hair. Today, this remarkable material has moved beyond the laboratory and into high-end manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, national defense, rail transit, new energy, the low-altitude economy, and humanoid robotics.
According to statistics from the China Chemical Fibers Association, China's carbon fiber production maintained an average annual growth rate of over 30% during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. Currently, China accounts for approximately 50% of the world's total carbon fiber production capacity, firmly ranking first globally.
Key Chinese carbon fiber manufacturers include Zhongfu Shenying, Jilin Chemical Fiber, Guangwei Composites, Zhongjian Technology, Shanghai Petrochemical, Hengshen Co., Ltd., Xinchuang Carbon Valley, Guotai Dacheng, and Changsheng Technology.
**Mass Production of T1000-Grade Small-Tow Carbon Fiber Achieved**
On June 2, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical, in collaboration with the Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology, successfully mastered the key technologies for producing wet-spun T1000-grade high-performance carbon fiber and achieved mass production. This marks a milestone breakthrough in the field of high-performance carbon fiber.
The high-performance carbon fiber successfully developed and mass-produced here is of the "12K small-tow" variety. Simply put, each tow consists of 12,000 individual filaments. However, do not underestimate its strength based on its slender appearance; a single tow boasts a tensile strength exceeding 6.5 GPa and a tensile modulus exceeding 300 GPa-capable of pulling a medium-sized truck weighing approximately 10 tons.
At this point, you might be wondering: what exactly do "K" and "T" stand for?
**Quick Tip:** Carbon fibers are categorized by tow size into "large-tow" and "small-tow" types. In the industry, "K" is commonly used to denote the tow specification (where 1K equals 1,000 individual filaments).
Carbon fibers rated at 24K or lower are classified as "small-tow." These feature finer tows, more uniform performance, and higher precision, making them ideal for high-performance applications such as aerospace and advanced equipment manufacturing. Carbon fiber with a tow size of 48K or higher is classified as "large-tow" carbon fiber. Compared to small-tow variants, the primary advantages of large-tow carbon fiber are higher single-line output and lower production costs under identical manufacturing conditions; it serves as a core material supporting large-scale applications in industrial sectors such as wind power and energy storage.
The number following the "T" designation directly corresponds to the tensile strength grade; a higher number indicates superior performance.
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Global debut of China's independently developed T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber
On March 11, Zhongfu Shenying-a carbon fiber R&D and manufacturing subsidiary of China National Building Material Group (CNBM)-officially launched its independently developed T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber globally. The product has achieved engineering-scale mass production, with a capacity reaching the hundred-ton level.
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▲ T1200-grade carbon fiber exhibits excellent fire and flame-retardant properties. (Source: CCTV News)
The T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber has achieved an engineering-scale tensile strength exceeding 8,000 MPa, making it the world's first T1200-grade carbon fiber product to reach this level of mass production. This major breakthrough signifies that China has achieved full-chain independent control-spanning technology, equipment, and the transition from laboratory research to engineering-scale mass production-in the field of high-performance carbon fiber.
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China's largest single-line capacity large-tow carbon fiber production line enters operation
On May 8, the first phase of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical's 30,000-ton annual capacity large-tow carbon fiber project successfully commenced feed-in and production, yielding qualified products that meet advanced international standards. This marks the completion and commissioning of China's largest single-line capacity 48K large-tow carbon fiber production line.
The project is planned to comprise a total of 10 production lines; the first phase, now operational, includes two lines, each with a designed capacity exceeding 3,000 tons. The second phase, consisting of the remaining eight lines, is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2027, bringing the total capacity to 30,000 tons.
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Donghua Energy's carbon fiber project races toward trial production
On June 1, the carbonization production line of Donghua Energy's carbon fiber project-stretching over 500 meters-entered the final stage of integrated commissioning with material feed. Initial trial runs are focusing on T700 carbon fiber, with T800 and T1000 grades to follow successively.
According to the plan, the project aims to integrate the entire process-from polymerization and spinning to carbonization-by September. Product specifications are expected to reach T800 standards across the board in the short term, with T1000 production capabilities established by year-end; the projected annual full-capacity output of carbon fiber is between 800 and 1,000 tons.
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Jilin Chemical Fiber Group Independently Develops Production Process for 35K Carbon Fiber Precursor
The Jilin Carbon Valley "China Quality" 35K Carbon Fiber Core Technology R&D Youth Team comprises 24 young professionals from Jilin Carbon Valley (a subsidiary of Jilin Chemical Fiber Group). Dedicated to enhancing carbon fiber R&D and manufacturing capabilities, the team independently designed the complete experimental setup and developed the production process for 35K carbon fiber precursor. This year, the team was honored with the "China Youth May Fourth Medal" (Collective Award).
With continuous technological breakthroughs and the successive implementation of new projects, China's carbon fiber industry is accelerating rapidly.
