While the low-altitude economy is still regarded by many as a policy concept, carbon fiber has already responded with capacity. In mid-August, Jilin Chemical Fiber's fourth 4,000-ton large-tow carbonization line started operation, bringing this year's newly added capacity to 16,000 tons, all tailored for low-altitude equipment. This pace signals that carbon fiber is no longer a niche material for aerospace but a bulk supplier for civilian drones and logistics vehicles.
Capacity Acceleration Behind Demand Logic
Four lines, each with 4,000 tons, and a construction-to-operation cycle of only two months—these figures point to a clear signal: demand is strong enough to justify rapid fixed-asset investment. The low-altitude economy has been incorporated into national strategic emerging industries, with lightweighting and cost reduction as core constraints. Traditional small-tow carbon fiber offers excellent performance but high cost, while large-tow reduces unit cost by increasing filament count per bundle, directly appealing to buyers' budgets.
35K is the current mainstream specification, meaning 35,000 filaments per tow. It balances strength and cost, significantly lowering the unit cost of prepreg and fabric. For price-sensitive applications like agricultural spraying and logistics delivery, 35K large-tow is almost the only viable option. Jilin Chemical Fiber's focus on this specification is a strategic capture of the window when low-altitude equipment transitions from prototypes to mass production.
Green Power and Integrated Chain as Dual Moat
All new lines are paired with a 600 MW green power direct-connection demonstration project, ensuring renewable electricity supply. This is not mere environmental posturing; it directly impacts cost structure. Carbon fiber production is energy-intensive, with electricity often accounting for over 20% of production costs. Green power not only mitigates future carbon tariffs and footprint audit risks but also locks in relatively stable energy prices, a tangible competitive advantage amid fluctuating electricity rates.
Equally notable is the fully integrated chain. From precursor to carbonization to downstream composite interfacing, Jilin Chemical Fiber compresses dispersed steps into one system. This reduces product validation cycles—low-altitude equipment makers no longer need to reconcile specs across suppliers; one sample shipment yields consistent batches. For buyers, this means lower supply chain management costs and more controllable lead times.
Market Expectation Gap Under Full Production
Currently, large-tow products are sold out with supply falling short of demand. This state could mislead one into thinking carbon fiber has entered a seller's market, but supply-demand equilibrium is still evolving. The low-altitude economy is in early commercialization; large-scale volume may only materialize after 2026. Current full production reflects temporary supply shortages, not a demand explosion.
Two more lines are planned for the second half, pushing year-end capacity beyond 100,000 tons. Globally, this means China will dominate large-tow carbon fiber capacity. For downstream buyers, capacity release may bring moderate price declines, but certification cycles for low-altitude equipment are long, making supplier lock-in more critical than price in the short term.