From aerospace to military industry, where is the strength of my country's expor

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) is widely used in fields such as aerospace, military, and sports equipment due to its excellent performance. What are the implications of the sudden export controls?

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Export controls related to high-performance fibers and others

On May 30, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission jointly issued an announcement, deciding to implement export controls on certain equipment and software, technology in the fields of aerospace, ships, and related items such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. The aforementioned policy will officially come into effect on July 1.

The announcement points out that export controls will be imposed on equipment and software, technology related to the manufacturing of aerospace structural components and engines, gas turbine engines/gas turbines; equipment and software, technology related to the manufacturing of spacesuit visors; and related items of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

The specific control scope includes the export of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber non-woven cloth target plates used in the production of protective equipment (such as bulletproof helmets, bulletproof vests, etc.), which must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Export of Military Products." It is clear that high-performance fibers are extremely important materials in the military and aerospace fields, and this export control also demonstrates China's advantageous position in this material field.

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Strength is 15 times that of high-quality steel

"As thin as a hair, as light as a feather, stronger than steel"—this phrase captures the characteristics of high-performance fibers.Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, abbreviated as UHMWPE fiber, is the third generation of high-performance fibers following carbon fibers and aramids. Its strength is 15 times that of high-quality steel, 4 times that of glass and nylon 66, 2.6 times that of carbon fibers, and 1.7 times that of aramid fibers. It possesses excellent properties such as ultra-high strength, ultra-high modulus, low density, and wear resistance. It is a new material for both military and civilian use, and has been identified by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as a key product in the national strategic emerging industries and a critical strategic material.

In the field of aerospace, UHMWPE fiber is widely used in the manufacturing of aircraft, rockets, and other aviation vehicles due to its high strength, low density, and wear resistance. It not only enhances the structural strength of aviation vehicles but also reduces their overall weight, thereby improving flight performance. In the military field, UHMWPE fiber, with its excellent bulletproof performance, has become the preferred material for manufacturing bulletproof vests, helmets, and other protective gear. Additionally, its application in the field of sports equipment is increasingly widespread, such as high-performance ski suits, sails, fishing nets, etc., all of which rely on the support of UHMWPE fiber.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, a material that may seem ordinary, has in fact quietly linked up a hundred-billion-level industrial cluster with its unique properties and broad application fields. Its birth not only signifies another leap in material science but also injects new vitality into the development of related industries, becoming an important force in promoting social progress.

According to forecasts by the Prospective Industry Research Institute, the global production capacity of UHMWPE fiber in 2020 was approximately 65,600 tons, with a theoretical demand of about 98,000 tons. In 2019, China's total production capacity and theoretical demand were both 41,000 tons, indicating a supply shortage. It is expected that the global theoretical demand will reach 165,000 tons by 2025, with an average annual compound growth rate of about 11% from 2020 to 2025.

In the aerospace field, UHMWPE fiber is gradually gaining widespread application due to its excellent impact resistance, lightweight, and high-strength characteristics. Its use in aircraft structural components, spacecraft parts, and military armor is increasing. Moreover, UHMWPE fiber is also utilized in marine engineering, such as the structural materials for ships and submarines.

In military applications, UHMWPE fiber is one of the preferred materials for manufacturing bulletproof vests, thanks to its "light as paper, hard as steel" characteristics, which provide excellent protective effects. This has made it widely used in bulletproof vests, helmets, and military armor. Furthermore, due to its lightweight nature, it is gradually becoming the mainstream choice in the market.Additionally, the application of UHMWPE fibers in the wind power industry is continuously expanding. Due to their excellent wear resistance and high strength characteristics, UHMWPE fibers are used in the manufacturing of wind turbine blades to enhance their durability and performance. With the promotion of carbon neutrality and energy-saving emission reduction policies, wind power, as one of the important renewable energy sources, will continue to see a growing market demand.

The application of UHMWPE fibers in the medical field is also expanding. Their excellent biocompatibility, durability, and low wear rate make them an ideal material for artificial joints and orthopedic implants. UHMWPE-based implants have the advantages of long service life and high tensile strength, and are widely used in fields such as orthopedics and cardiovascular implants.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a penetration rate of nearly 70% in the bulletproof vests in Europe and America, while in China, it is only 32%. The demand for military uniform replacement has a strong driving force. According to GVR's statistics, the European and North American markets are expected to grow steadily, while Asia will experience rapid growth. In the civilian sector, it is anticipated that the demand for marine, industrial, and home textile applications will increase from 32,000 tons in 2020 to 68,000 tons in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%. New application markets include radar domes, construction reinforcement, and the wind power sector.

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China's UHMWPE accounts for nearly 70% of global production.

China holds a significant position in the global UHMWPE fiber market. Data from 2024 shows that China's UHMWPE fiber production capacity exceeds 67% of the global total capacity, indicating that China has a notable production advantage in this field.

The global UHMWPE market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% between 2024 and 2032, increasing from $230.573 million in 2023 to $598.117 million in 2032. China's market will also continue to grow rapidly, with more emerging applications expected in the coming years, further solidifying its advantage in production capacity.

From a technological perspective, China has developed wet spinning and dry spinning technologies with independent intellectual property rights, and these technological systems are gradually being perfected, leading to further improvements in production efficiency.Additionally, Chinese companies have made breakthroughs in the preparation process of UHMWPE fibers. For instance, Donghua University, along with various enterprises and research institutions, has combined industry, academia, and research to invent a new hybrid solvent gel spinning process, thereby maintaining a technological edge.