When the core equipment for carbon fiber precursor production no longer relies on imports, China's high-end carbon fiber self-supply truly gains momentum. Recently, Jinggong Technology, together with Zhejiang Huachuang, Donghua University, and Zhejiang University of Technology, passed the appraisal for its '5000-tonne DMSO dry-jet wet-spun high-performance PAN-based precursor complete equipment and process' in Shaoxing. The overall technology was rated as internationally advanced, with two key indicators reaching world-leading levels. This is not just a technical victory for a single company; it signifies that the weakest link in the domestic carbon fiber industry chain is being reinforced.
Background
PAN-based precursor is the core for carbon fiber performance, and its preparation equipment and process have long constrained China's self-supply in high-end carbon fiber. In the past, key equipment such as large-capacity polymerization reactors and high-precision pressure distribution systems were heavily dependent on imports, leading to high costs and supply chain security risks. The project that passed appraisal targeted these bottlenecks through centralized research, achieving multiple hard-core innovations over two years.
From a technical perspective, the breakthrough is reflected in several key figures: temperature uniformity within ±0.4°C in a 60m³ reactor, terminal pressure deviation of ±1% for high-viscosity PAN dope, spinneret pressure fluctuation as low as 1‰, process speed of 280m/min, and annual precursor capacity of 5,000 tonnes. These figures directly determine the stability and efficiency of precursor production, thereby influencing carbon fiber cost and performance.
Industry Impact
For the carbon fiber industry, this equipment means the engineering scale-up problem of precursor production has been substantially solved. High-viscosity polymerization systems often suffer from heat transfer lag and local mixing insufficiencies during scale-up. Jinggong's special stirring and scraper synergistic reinforcement structure, along with a jacket hot water-coil cold water heat exchange system, controls temperature uniformity to ±0.4°C, providing a foundation for large-scale stable production. For buyers, more stable precursor means reduced variability in downstream carbon fiber quality, which helps improve product consistency and customer trust.
Another noteworthy breakthrough is the DMSO solvent recovery technology. With a recovery rate of no less than 99.5%, steam consumption no higher than 2.2t/t, purity of 99.88%, and residual solvent in wastewater below 100ppm, this system significantly reduces solvent costs in precursor production. In an era of increasingly fierce price competition in carbon fiber, solvent recovery efficiency is cost competitiveness. For a 5,000-tonne annual capacity, lower solvent consumption can save substantial production expenses each year, positively impacting the final price of carbon fiber.
Additionally, the MOM intelligent production management system and central control visualization platform enable visible production, traceable quality, manageable equipment, and controllable energy consumption. This shifts precursor production from experience-driven to data-driven, setting a demonstration for the industry. For equipment suppliers and factory managers, adopting this system will change traditional maintenance and operation modes, reduce reliance on skilled workers' personal experience, and lower quality fluctuations caused by personnel turnover.
From a regional industry cluster perspective, Shaoxing, as an important domestic base for chemical fiber and equipment manufacturing, will further consolidate its position in carbon fiber precursor equipment with this achievement. In the future, as this equipment is widely adopted, domestic carbon fiber enterprises can reduce dependence on imported equipment, shorten expansion cycles, and gain more voice in the global carbon fiber market.