1.1 Overview of China fiberglass sub-sector

(1) The output of fiberglass:

In 2013, the output of fiberglass yarns decreased by 1.0 percent to reach 2.85 million tons. In the first half of 2014, the output of fiberglass yarns grew by 4.3 percent to reach 1.49 million tons. (Remarks: not including Taiwan, the same below)

Since the financial crisis, the growth rate of fiberglass yarns production showed double “V” type change. In the first stage (from 2008 to 2010), the growth rate had a rapid decline and recovery. In the second stage (from 2010 to 2014), the fiberglass market has been in the doldrums. At the same time, the production cost of Chinese enterprises has been growing rapidly. It is more and more difficult to maintain the rapid expansion of production capacity and the low price competition. Chinese fiberglass yarn producers have actively adjusted the development mode, reducing the new production capacity, and pay more attention to the innovation and management. So the growth rate of fiberglass yarns production has become very slow.

From the beginning of 2014, the strong recovery in the wind energy, transportation, and thermal plastic, brings to the strong demand for fiberglass yarns. And now most kinds of fiberglass yarns prices have rebounded.

(2) The consumption of fiberglass:

In 2013, the export volume of fiberglass (including fiberglass yarns and fiberglass products) decreased by 1.6 percent to reach 1.19 million tons. At the same time, the import volume of fiberglass grew by 14.5 percent to reach 233 thousand tons. In the first half of 2014, the import volume grew by 8.6 percent to reach 123 thousand tons.

In 2013, the output and the export volume decreased, and the import volume grew. Based on that, the apparent consumption of fiberglass in China reached 1.89 million tons, the same level as the previous year. This means that the development of China FRP sector is in transition, and the demand for high quality fiberglass is growing rapidly.

1.2 Overview of China carbon fiber sub-sector

(1) The output of carbon fiber:

In 2013, the output of carbon fiber only reached 2650 tons. By the end of 2013, there were more than 30 carbon fiber producers in China, and the total capacity of carbon fiber had reached 14000 tons. But the capacity utilization is very low. 

Now the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of carbon fiber, and has formulated a lot of support policy. Now Chinese companies can produce a stable T300-grade carbon fiber, and also have mastered the key technologies of T700-grade, T800-grade carbon fiber production.

(2) The consumption of carbon fiber:

In 2013, the import volume of carbon fiber (including carbon fiber yarn and carbon fiber products) reached 12386 tons. The export volume of carbon fiber reached 941 tons. Based on that, the apparent consumption of carbon fiber in China reached about 15000 tons.