A carbon-based fiber capable of withstanding 1,800°C instant heat without melting or dripping is now priced at 80,000 to 90,000 RMB per ton, positioning itself against high-performance aramid in the specialty textile sector. Zhejiang Jili New Materials Co., Ltd. has spent eight years iterating its flexible carbon-based fiber 'Rouhuo', moving from lab samples to fire-protection and new-energy applications, though high cost and limited color options still hinder large-scale adoption.
Background
'Rouhuo' is not ordinary carbon fiber; it is an organic-inorganic hybrid modified carbon fiber intermediate. The team's first-generation product, 'Carbonlon', showed insufficient strength and abrasion resistance, and shed black debris during use. They then modified the polymer during the spinning stage of carbon fiber precursor, developed proprietary oil agents and sizing agents, and retrofitted spinning equipment to address the industry-wide challenge of carbon fiber's rigidity, low crimp, and difficulty in spinning into yarn.
After multiple iterations, the second-generation product achieved significant improvements in strength and abrasion resistance, along with flame retardancy, non-combustibility, and fire-control properties. The company holds a complete materials technology package, enabling customized modification at the precursor stage for different downstream applications. 'Rouhuo' yarn is currently priced at 80,000-90,000 RMB per ton, comparable to high-performance aramid, but high cost and limited color options remain major barriers to scale-up.
Industry Impact
Emergency fire protection is the core market for 'Rouhuo'. The material can withstand 1,800°C instant heat, with zero melting and zero dripping, offering excellent flame resistance. The company has participated in drafting the industry standard for new-energy vehicle fire-control blankets led by the China Fire Protection Association, supplied firefighting suit fabrics to Heilongjiang forest fire departments, collaborated with Xiaoshan Lantian Zhihui on fire-fighting robot dog and robot protective clothing, and established business partnerships with fire departments in Hubei and Fujian. In live demos, flames from a spray gun directly hit the fabric surface without igniting or melting.
In the new-energy sector, the material can be used in energy storage equipment, EV chassis, seats, and motor components. Overseas, the company mainly exports battery fire-protection bags to Japan, where frequent charging-bank explosion injuries have led to mandatory standards driving demand; domestically, emergency fire protection is policy-driven, and similar compulsory regulations have not yet been implemented, so such products have not seen widespread adoption. The material can also be made into high-temperature-resistant protective gloves, and has potential in home curtains, sofas, and hotel carpets, though cost constraints limit civilian promotion.
For buyers, this means an alternative in high-heat protection and flame-retardant workwear that combines carbon fiber rigidity with aramid-like flexibility, but cost-effectiveness must be evaluated in specific conditions. For upstream carbon fiber precursor suppliers, local collaborative R&D models may offer a new path to reduce modification costs and accelerate iteration.