With the continuous development of modern industrial technology, carbon fiber, as a light, strong and corrosion-resistant new material, is gradually becoming the focus of the global industrial field. Complexity of the manufacturing process.   

        The manufacture of carbon fiber is not achieved overnight, it involves a complete manufacturing process from primary energy to end applications, including pre-oxidation, carbonization, prepreg and other complex processes.   

        In the technological process of carbon fiber, there are remarkable 3000-5000 technical parameter control points. This manufacturing process requires highly stringent production conditions and precise technical mastery, which is not an area that ordinary enterprises can easily enter.Concentration of China's Carbon Fiber Industry Chain    

        China occupies an important position in the carbon fiber industry, especially in acrylonitrile, precursor and carbon fiber production capacity. According to the data, in 2020 and 2021, the concentration of CR5 production capacity in China is more than 75%. Acrylonitrile is one of the main raw materials of carbon fiber. Criticality of preparation process   

        The preparation process of carbon fiber mainly includes the preparation of acrylonitrile polymer solution, the preparation of PAN precursor, the pre-oxidation and thermal stabilization of PAN fiber, the carbonization of PAN pre-oxidized fiber, the surface treatment and so on. In these processes, the cost of PAN precursor is the highest, followed by oxidation and carbonization. This also means that through large-scale production, greater tow throughput can be achieved in the same time and energy consumption, and the overall production cost can be reduced.    

        According to the data of the Special Fiber Division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the production cost of carbon fibers has been reduced by expanding the production scale. This shows that large-scale production has great potential in the carbon fiber industry, which can greatly reduce costs and improve competitiveness.    

         However, the use of viscose-based and pitch-based carbon fibers is relatively limited, and the production is relatively low. Pitch-based carbon fibers maintain an annual output of about 1000 tons, while viscose-based carbon fibers are basically discontinued and may be completely withdrawn from the carbon fiber market.Abundance of Acrylonitrile Raw Material     

        Acrylonitrile is an important raw material for the preparation of carbon fibers. Fortunately, acrylonitrile is abundant in China and can be prepared from petroleum, coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels. The abundance of this raw material ensures a steady supply for the carbon fiber industry.Improvement of self-sufficiency rate of production capacity    

        With the continuous release of new carbon fiber production capacity in China, the import volume of acrylonitrile in China is decreasing year by year, while the export volume is gradually increasing. In 2022, the apparent consumption of acrylonitrile reached 2.7 million tons, with imports of 104,000 tons and exports of 217,000 tons.    

        With the release of new production capacity in Shandong Haijiang and Zhejiang Petrochemical, China's self-sufficiency rate has been continuously improved, which strengthens the sustainable development of carbon fiber industry.