Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber is currently the fiber with the highest specific strength and specific modulus in the world. It has numerous excellent properties and is widely used in fields such as military equipment, the marine industry, safety protection and sports equipment.
Market Status
In recent years, demand for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber in China has maintained sustained and relatively rapid growth, mainly driven by military equipment, the marine industry and safety protection. In the future, as market demand continues to increase, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber industry will continue to develop rapidly. China’s output of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber grew from 28,900 tons in 2017 to 49,100 tons in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.32%, and output is expected to reach 67,200 tons in 2022.
Source: compiled by AskCI Consulting
Among the applications of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber in China, military equipment, the marine industry and safety protection rank in the top three, accounting for 26%, 25% and 20% respectively. As an indispensable strategic material for modern national defense, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber has been listed as a key strategic material under a series of national policies, mainly including the Catalogue for the First Batch Application Demonstration of Key New Materials (2019 Edition) and the Three-Year Action Plan for Enhancing the Core Competitiveness of the Manufacturing Industry (2018-2020). At the same time, as the industry’s technological level continues to rise, the application fields of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber are constantly expanding, and the growing use of both military and civilian products will bring huge market demand for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber.
Source: compiled by AskCI Consulting
Development Prospects
1. Industrial policies encourage the healthy and orderly development of the industry
Relevant national authorities have successively introduced a series of policies to support and encourage the development of the industry, requiring improvements in the production and application of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, better product technology and performance indicators, and continuous expansion of the application fields of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber and its composites. The Catalogue for the First Batch Application Demonstration of Key New Materials (2019 Edition) issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology lists ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber as a key strategic material. Strong support from national industrial policy has laid a solid foundation for the rapid, healthy and orderly development of China’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber industry, and has also provided a favorable policy environment for domestic preparation technology to improve and reach or surpass the level of foreign technology.
2. Considerable market potential in civilian fields
In 2020, theoretical demand for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber in China reached 49,100 tons, while the country’s output was 21,000 tons, far below industry demand and leaving a large theoretical demand gap. In addition, limited by factors such as cost and price, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber is currently used mainly in mid- and high-end fields such as military equipment, the marine industry and safety protection, and its application in civilian fields has progressed relatively slowly. In recent years, with the comprehensive advancement of technical research and industrial application of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber and the gradual decline in product prices, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber products are extending from mid- and high-end fields to general industrial fields, and application areas and demand will continue to expand, gradually entering new civilian fields such as home textiles and sports equipment, giving the civilian market considerable development potential.
For more information, please refer to the report “China Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber” Industry Market Prospects and Investment Opportunities Research Report, published by AskCI Consulting. AskCI Consulting also provides services including industrial big data, industry intelligence, industry research reports, industrial planning, park planning, 14th Five-Year Plan formulation and industrial investment promotion.