Carbon Fiber Industry Strikes a "Golden Balance" Between Cost Reduction and Performance Enhancement in 2025​

​​I. Industry Dynamics: Giants Bet on Low-Cost Large-Tow Fiber, Capacity Competition Enters New Phase​​

Industry analysts point out that this "cost competition" is not simply a price war but an optimization of the entire industrial chain based on technological progress. Efficiency improvements at every stage—from the refining of acrylonitrile raw materials, to energy consumption control in oxidation and carbonization, to the maturation of high-speed spinning technology—are paving the way for the "democratization" of carbon fiber.​

II. Technology Frontiers: Three Trends Outline the Industry's Future Map​​

1. 1.
   ​​New Raw Material Pathways: Breaking Free from Oil Dependence​​
   The traditional process using acrylonitrile as a raw material faces challenges. Technologies for producing carbon fiber precursor based on biomass (such as lignin) and methane have achieved breakthroughs in the lab. Although large-scale commercialization is still some way off, this technical route not only has the potential to further reduce costs but also endows carbon fiber with a new "green and sustainable" label, perfectly契合 the global carbon neutrality goals.
2. 2.
   ​​Process Innovation: Dry-Jet Wet Spinning Becomes Mainstream for High Performance​​
   In the field pursuing high performance (such as T1000 grade and above), the "dry-jet wet spinning" process has become the absolute mainstream. Compared to wet spinning, this technology results in carbon fiber with higher strength and modulus, and fewer surface defects. Leading domestic companies have fully mastered this technology and achieved large-scale application, which is key for domestic carbon fiber to enter top-tier application fields like aerospace and high-end sports equipment.
3. 3.
   ​​Recycling Technology: The Embryonic Form of a Circular Economy​​
   As the first batches of carbon fiber composite materials (such as retired aircraft fuselages and wind turbine blades) reach end-of-life, recycling has become an urgent issue. Currently, pyrolysis recycling has been commercialized, allowing carbon fiber to be "reborn" in the form of chopped fibers or mats. The latest technological focus is on "supercritical fluid decomposition," aiming to recover long fibers more efficiently while preserving their properties. The EU's upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is also greatly stimulating corporate investment in recycled carbon fiber technology R&D.

​​III. Application Market Watch: Wind Power, Hydrogen Energy, and Automotive Form a Tripartite Force​​

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  ​​Wind Power Sector:​​ Remains the largest consumer of carbon fiber, with sustained strong demand for ultra-long wind turbine blades. Orders from OEMs like Vestas are backlogged until 2026, directly driving global demand for large-tow carbon fiber.
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  ​​Hydrogen Energy Sector:​​ Type IV hydrogen storage tanks for high-pressure hydrogen storage are another blue-ocean market for carbon fiber. The winding layer outside the liner requires large amounts of T700-grade carbon fiber. Demand in this sector is experiencing explosive growth as the global hydrogen industry takes off.
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  ​​Automotive Sector:​​ Although currently used mainly in high-end luxury cars and racing cars, pilot projects for carbon fiber in mainstream electric vehicle battery cases and chassis components are increasing as costs decrease, aiming to achieve vehicle lightweighting for extended range.
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​​IV. Expert Views: Opportunities and Challenges Coexist​​

​​Conclusion​​