In the carbon fiber industry chain, precursor quality determines more than 70% of final carbon fiber performance, yet high-end precursor preparation equipment and processes have long been controlled by a few overseas companies. Recently, a project jointly developed by Jinggong Technology with Zhejiang Huachuang Carbon Fiber Technology Co., Ltd., Donghua University, and Zhejiang University of Technology over two years—the "5000-ton DMSO dry-jet wet-spinning high-performance PAN-based precursor complete equipment and process"—passed a scientific achievement appraisal in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. The appraisal concluded that the overall technology has reached international advanced level, with DMSO recovery steam consumption and polymerization reactor temperature uniformity indicators leading globally. This means domestic carbon fiber precursor has taken a substantial step forward in the "last mile" of large-scale preparation.
Background: Why precursor equipment is a bottleneck
Precursor preparation involves multiple processes including polymerization, spinning, and solvent recovery, and the precision of equipment in each step directly affects the stability of precursor quality. In the past, domestic enterprises relied heavily on imported equipment, which was costly and subject to foreign control over technology iteration. The project that passed appraisal addressed this pain point. One of its core innovations is a 60m³ large-capacity high-uniformity polymerization reactor, which uses special stirring and scraper synergistic reinforcement structures, combined with a jacket hot water—coil cold water collaborative heat exchange system, controlling temperature uniformity within ±0.4°C. This precision solves engineering scale-up challenges such as heat transfer lag and local mixing insufficiency in high-viscosity polymerization systems, laying a foundation for large-scale stable production.
Another key breakthrough lies in the spinning stage. The developed multi-stage symmetric pressure equalization distribution technology for header-pipe-branch-spinning positions achieves a terminal pressure deviation of ±1% for high-viscosity PAN dope at 60°C and about 1.6MPa, with spinneret outlet pressure fluctuation as low as 1‰. Meanwhile, the low-temperature coagulation bath is stabilized at 5°C±0.2°C, liquid level control within 3mm±0.1mm, and the multi-channel curved-path steam drawing device supports a high-temperature steam draw ratio of more than 3.5 times, with process speed reaching 280m/min. These parameters mean a single production line can achieve an annual precursor capacity of 5,000 tons, providing hard support for large-scale supply.
Industry impact: dual benefits of cost reduction and supply chain security
For downstream carbon fiber users, precursor cost accounts for 40%-50% of total production cost. The direct benefit of this process breakthrough is reflected in the solvent recovery stage—DMSO recovery rate is no less than 99.5%, recovery steam consumption no higher than 2.2t/t, recovery purity reaches 99.88%, and residual solvent in wastewater is less than 100ppm. Behind these figures is a significant reduction in raw material consumption and environmental treatment costs. For an annual output of 5,000 tons of precursor, only the solvent recovery item can save considerable operating expenses each year, while greatly reducing hazardous waste emissions, in line with green manufacturing trends.
From a supply chain security perspective, high-end carbon fiber is widely used in aerospace, wind turbine blades, hydrogen storage tanks, and other fields, and the independent supply capability of precursor is directly related to industrial security. Previously, although domestic carbon fiber enterprises gradually realized localization in the carbonization stage, the equipment and process shortcomings in the precursor stage remained. The complete equipment that passed appraisal means domestic enterprises now possess the full-process independent construction capability from polymerization to spinning and solvent recovery. The replicable and promotable engineering solution will lower the overall investment threshold for the industry and attract more capital into the precursor segment.
For upstream equipment suppliers and downstream carbon fiber producers, this event sends a clear signal: domestic precursor equipment has moved from "usable" to "good to use." As subsequent large-scale application progresses, equipment procurement costs are expected to drop by more than 30% compared to imported products, while shortening delivery cycles. For carbon fiber enterprises planning capacity expansion, this is an opportunity to re-evaluate equipment selection and technical routes.