Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, alongside para-aramid and carbon fiber, ranks among the world's three major high-tech specialty fibers. With its remarkable advantages, such as high strength, high modulus, lightweight, bulletproof and stab-proof attributes, resistance to seawater, chemical corrosion, UV, abrasion, and low temperatures, it finds extensive application in defense, aerospace, safety protection, construction, marine fisheries, and civilian textiles. Currently, China is the global leader in the production and export of UHMWPE fibers, showing consistent growth in industrial scale, continuous enhancement in product quality, and expansion in application fields. This achievement has also disrupted the long-standing foreign technological monopoly and product sales restrictions. 

    Breaking Foreign Product Technological Monopoly

Overseas:

    In the late 1970s, the Dutch DSM Company first developed dry spinning technology using decalin as a solvent, producing UHMWPE fibers, and industrialized the production by 1990.

The Japanese Toyobo Company established production lines through joint ventures.

The American Allied Signal Company (merged by Honeywell in 1990), based on purchasing DSM patents, developed wet spinning technology using mineral oil as a solvent and achieved industrialized production.

Due to the irreplaceable role of UHMWPE fibers in aerospace, defense, and other fields, it is considered a sensitive strategic material involving national security. To exercise control and monopoly over these strategic materials, Western developed countries have long forbidden the transfer of production technology and the sale of products to China.

China:

    To break the foreign technological monopoly, China's Donghua University (formerly China Textile University) began research on wet spinning technology in 1984, conducted a pilot trial in 1997, expanded trial production in 1999, and thereafter, the technology was widely adopted by domestic companies and rapidly developed.

China Textile Science Research Institute achieved a breakthrough in dry spinning technology in 2000, successfully produced in the Sinopec Nanjing Chemical Industrial Group's research facility in 2006, and industrialized by the Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company exclusively from 2008 onwards.

    This success highlights China's strides in technological innovation and self-reliance, especially in key industries where foreign entities once held a monopoly. It demonstrates the nation's potential to lead in specialty fiber technology and its broader commitment to enhancing domestic industries.

    Enhancing International Market Competitiveness

China's Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber industry has formed large-scale industrial development, with continuous advancement in production technology, steady enhancement in product quality, and rapid expansion in application areas, building considerable international competitiveness. The details are as follows:

1. Formation of Large-Scale Industrial Development

    Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has accelerated the industrialization of high-tech fibers. Particularly from 2007 onwards, the National Development and Reform Commission established special support plans for high-tech fibers, scaling UHMWPE fiber production from hundreds to thousands of tons. After a decade of rapid growth, China has become the world's largest producer of UHMWPE fibers. Currently, there are nearly 20 UHMWPE fiber production enterprises in China, with a total capacity of 25,680 tons in 2018, accounting for 68% of the global share; the total output is 17,350 tons, accounting for 61% globally; imports stand at 650 tons, and exports at 4,635 tons.

2. Building Strong International Market Competitiveness

    In terms of product quality, except for a small number of high-end products, the rest have reached the international leading level. In production costs, China's UHMWPE fiber manufacturing cost is more than 20% lower than abroad. In production technology, China has both dry and wet production techniques for UHMWPE fibers, with independent intellectual property rights.

3. Curbing Foreign Monopolistic Profits

    Before 2000, during the Western developed countries' monopoly on UHMWPE fiber technology and market, the price per ton of product was around 1 million RMB (for 400D products), and sales to China were banned. With the gradual industrialization of UHMWPE fiber in China, foreign restrictions on the sales of low-end products to China were gradually relaxed. In recent years, China's capacity and output of this product have rapidly increased, and market prices have gradually declined, currently dropping to around 100,000 RMB/ton. This will be beneficial for expanding market applications and enhancing market demand.

4. Expanding into Civilian Textile Fields

    At present, the proportion of UHMWPE fiber used in civilian and military applications in China is approximately 7:3. The civilian market, characterized by large demand, good stability, and wide application fields, is conducive to healthy industry development. China is a significant producer and consumer of textile garments. As UHMWPE fibers expand into civilian textile fields like mats, bedsheets, sofa cushions, high-strength sewing threads, denim fabrics, etc., market prices are gradually decreasing, making future market prospects favorable.

    Overall, China's strides in the production and application of UHMWPE fibers showcase its robust growth and expanding influence in international markets. These advancements not only break the foreign monopoly but also enhance domestic capabilities and competitiveness, catering to both military and civilian needs. It reflects China's commitment to technological innovation and industrial growth, aligned with global trends.

Product Applications: Suitable for Both Military and Civilian Fields

Military and Aerospace Fields:

01 | The high strength and wear-resistant protective properties of UHMWPE fiber are utilized in the production of armor vehicle protective plates, tank protective liners, bulletproof helmets, shields, bulletproof vests, anti-mine boots, anti-riot blankets, anti-cut gloves, lightweight composite armor, field hospitals, and field tents.

02 | Given its low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high sonar transmittance, UHMWPE fiber is used in antenna radomes, missile covers, radar protective shells, and more.

03 | Its lightweight and high-strength properties are applied in the manufacture of warship and armored vehicle ropes and tow ropes, naval mine tethers, parachute ropes, and other military ropes.

04 | Its high strength, impact resistance, and light weight make it ideal for use in aircraft wingtip structures, spacecraft structures, buoy components, drone shells, special umbrella materials, and more.

Civilian Applications:

    In recent years, the application of UHMWPE fiber in civilian products in China has expanded significantly with more balanced product structures. In 2018, the total consumption of UHMWPE fiber in China was 13,365 tons, with 3,320 tons (24.8%) used in the rope network field, 4,945 tons (37.0%) in the glove field, 3,530 tons (26.4%) in the bulletproof protection field, and 1,570 tons (11.8%) in the weaving field.

    Its light weight, high strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and UV resistance make it suitable for use in tension ropes, heavy load ropes, salvage ropes, drag ropes, sailing ropes, and fishing lines, including the anchor ropes used for super oil tankers, offshore operation platforms, lighthouses; it is used in ocean trawl nets and large-scale ocean breeding cages; in construction hoisting ropes, safety belts, safety nets, home escape ropes, etc. It can also be used as a reinforcement in materials, such as by adding ultra-short fibers to concrete to enhance its seismic and impact resistance; its biocompatibility can be used to enhance the strength and wear resistance of artificial skeletal joints by adding UHMWPE fiber.

Future Industry Development Directions

Technical Research and Development:

In terms of technical R&D, the development directions of UHMWPE fiber are as follows:

Development of high-strength, high-quality stability products.

Development of anti-creep products.

Development of high-grade cut-resistant products.

Development of colored fiber series.

Development of modified products.

Development of low-cost production technology.

Application Field Expansion:

Expanding its use in civilian summer textiles due to its excellent thermal conductivity;

Expanding its application in home and industrial textiles due to its high strength;

Developing high-strength composite materials to open up new application fields through the complementary and synergistic effects with other special fibers;

Replacing carbon fibers and para-aramid fibers in various application fields due to its price advantage;

Replacing nylon and polyester industrial filaments in some application fields through material upgrades.

Industry Standard Development:

In terms of industry standard development, the development directions of UHMWPE fiber are as follows:

Promote industry collaboration and rational development to avoid vicious competition.

Improve the application standards of UHMWPE fiber.

Strengthen brand building, which is a strong support for creating international competitiveness.

Strengthen intellectual property rights protection.

Source: "China Chemical Information"

Author: Liu Chunsheng, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd.