China's carbon fiber industry is undergoing a critical transition from 'having materials available' to 'achieving equipment autonomy.' In July 2026, a new national standard for precursor production equipment was approved, bringing terminology, classification, and model numbering for the upstream process into a unified framework. Led by Jinggong Technology and Huachuang Technology, the standard will take effect in February 2027. This milestone, following the carbonization equipment standard implemented in June 2025, completes the standardization puzzle for the entire carbon fiber production chain.
From Fragmentation to a Common Language
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor is the foundation of carbon fiber performance, directly determining the strength and stability of the final product. However, China's precursor equipment sector has long lacked unified specifications. Different manufacturers used inconsistent terminology and classification systems, leading to misaligned parameters during line design, difficult price comparisons during procurement, and low efficiency in supply chain coordination.
The newly approved national standard systematically defines equipment terminology for the entire process—from polymerization, spinning, stretching, and drying to solvent recovery—and unifies classification logic and model numbering rules. Going forward, equipment selection, technical communication, and tender documents for domestic precursor lines will all be based on a shared 'language system,' significantly reducing information friction costs.
Completing the Chain: Connecting Precursor and Carbonization
Notably, Jinggong Technology previously led the development of the national standard for carbonization production equipment, which took effect in June 2025. The approval of the precursor standard now brings both core production stages—precursor preparation and carbonization—under the national standard umbrella.
From an industry chain perspective, this 'front-to-back' standardization has profound implications. The precision and intelligence level of precursor equipment directly impact yield rates and production costs, while carbonization equipment determines final fiber mechanical properties. With both standards in place, technical interfaces among equipment suppliers, precursor producers, and carbon fiber manufacturers will become clearer, reducing trial-and-error costs and delivery lead times across the chain.
Industry Impact: From Material Substitution to Equipment Substitution
For years, China's carbon fiber industry has made significant progress in raw materials, but high-end equipment still partially relies on imports. The completion of the standard system removes institutional barriers for large-scale adoption of domestic equipment. With unified terminology and classification, downstream companies can more easily compare technical parameters of different domestic machines, leading to more rational procurement decisions.
For Jinggong Technology and Huachuang Technology, leading two national standards positions them at the forefront of the carbon fiber equipment landscape. Moving forward, these companies are expected to leverage standard implementation, advance group standards, and tackle core bottlenecks in large-tow and high-performance PAN precursor and carbonization equipment, further strengthening the competitive edge of Chinese-made equipment.