Global Development Trends and Technology Forecast of 11 Types of High-Performance Fibers - Para-Aramid Fiber

High-performance fibers refer to a category of specialty fibers that exhibit exceptional resistance to physical and chemical effects from the external environment.

They represent one of the primary development directions in the chemical fiber industry in recent years and can be classified into organic and inorganic high-performance fibers based on their chemical composition.

These fibers are not only crucial strategic materials urgently needed for the development of the aerospace and defense industries, but they also play an irreplaceable role in advancing various strategic emerging industries, the low-carbon economy, and energy conservation and emission reduction.

They are an indicator of a nation's comprehensive strength and technological innovation. Developed countries and regions such as Japan, the United States, and Europe place great importance on high-performance fibers and have long monopolized their global R&D, production, and market.

Since 2006, with significant support from national policies and funding, China's high-performance fiber industry has developed rapidly. A relatively comprehensive system for the R&D of domestic high-performance fiber preparation technologies, engineering practices, and industrial structure has been established.

This has substantially narrowed the gap with developed countries and effectively alleviated the urgent demand for high-performance fibers in the national economy and defense construction. The following introduces common high-performance fibers.

Para-aramid fiber possesses excellent properties such as light weight, high strength, high toughness, high-temperature resistance, wave transmission, impact resistance, and wear resistance.

It finds widespread applications in areas including optical cable reinforcement, ballistic armor, asbestos replacement, and personal protection. The global para-aramid market is a typical oligopoly. North America and Europe are mature markets, while China is an emerging market.

As a country with potential for high aramid consumption, China's demand for para-aramid has maintained a growth rate of about 10% in recent years, far exceeding the global average. The growing personalized demand for aramid fibers from sectors such as electronic communications, national defense and military industry, lightweight materials, and the 5G industry is driving the rapid development of the para-aramid sector, indicating vast market potential yet to be tapped.

The global production capacity for para-aramid was 83.7 kilotons in 2020 and is projected to reach 94.6 kilotons by 2022. This capacity is predominantly concentrated in three companies: DuPont, Teijin, and Kolon, which account for approximately 90% of the global para-aramid capacity, while the share held by domestic Chinese enterprises remains relatively low.