The standardization of carbon fiber equipment is accelerating. Following the implementation of the national standard for carbonization equipment in June 2025, the precursor stage now has its own national benchmark. A new standard titled 'Terminology, Classification and Model Designation Method for Complete Sets of Polyacrylonitrile Fiber Production Equipment' has been approved and will take effect on February 1, 2027. This marks the near-completion of a unified standard system covering the entire carbon fiber process, from precursor to carbonization.
Precursor Equipment Standard: From Fragmented Terminology to a Unified Language
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor is the precursor to carbon fiber, directly determining its strength and stability. The precision and intelligence level of precursor equipment directly impact production yield rates and costs. For years, the domestic precursor equipment sector lacked uniform specifications, with inconsistent terminology, classification, and model designations, leading to inefficiencies in production line design, equipment procurement, and supply chain coordination. This newly released national standard unifies for the first time the terminology, classification, and model designation rules for the entire process—from polymerization, spinning, drawing, and drying to solvent recovery—filling a critical gap in the standard system for precursor production equipment. This means equipment suppliers and buyers will now use a common 'language,' significantly improving the efficiency of equipment selection and production line design.
Full-Process Standardization: Closing the Loop from Precursor to Carbonization
Previously, the national standard for carbonization equipment, also led by Jinggong Technology, was implemented in June 2025. With this new standard, both key stages—precursor and carbonization—are now covered by national standards, creating a unified, coherent standard system for China's entire carbon fiber equipment chain. From an industry impact perspective, this closure is significant not only for technical standardization but also for providing a quantifiable benchmark for collaboration across the supply chain. For equipment manufacturers, the standard clarifies product classification and model designation, helping to reduce redundant development costs. For carbon fiber producers, unified terminology and classification mean more precise comparison of equipment performance from different suppliers during procurement and production line upgrades, thereby optimizing investment decisions.
Industry Impact: Underpinning Large-Tow and High-Performance Development
Jinggong Technology has stated that it will continue to collaborate with Huachuang Carbon Fiber Technology to promote the implementation of these two national standards, advance group standards, and tackle core bottlenecks in large-tow, high-performance PAN precursor, and carbonization equipment. This signals a clear shift in focus from 'building the system' to 'tackling challenges.' Large-tow carbon fiber is critical for industrial applications like wind turbine blades and pressure vessels, while high-performance precursor is essential for high-end sectors like aerospace. The implementation of these two national standards provides a unified foundation for overcoming these technical hurdles. For downstream buyers, this implies that the stability and interchangeability of domestically produced carbon fiber equipment will gradually improve, potentially accelerating the pace of import substitution.