2025 Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber (UHMWPE Fiber) Industry Status 1. Overview of Production and Sales Data in 2025 2024 Data 2025 Data/Forecast Remarks Scale Approximately RMB 7.63 billion (approximately USD 1.056 billion) Approximately RMB 6.92 billion (some data suggests RMB 5.153 billion) Statistical methods vary among different institutions. The global market size is projected to reach nearly RMB 9.99 billion by 2031. Scale 3.169 billion RMB 1.922 billion RMB Average market price: approximately 72,900-83,400 RMB/ton Approximately 62,500 tons/year Data unavailable (the industry is in a period of rapid capacity expansion) As of 2024, only the Netherlands, the United States, Japan, and China have achieved large-scale production globally. Approximately 45,900 tons Data unavailable Production increases with capacity growth Volume Approximately 38,000 tons Approximately 40,000-41,000 tons (forecast) China is the world's largest consumer market 2. Ranking of Major Producers in 2025 (Based on Capacity and Market Position) Currently, the industry concentration is relatively high, and leading companies have obvious capacity advantages. 2.1 Leading Foreign Companies (2025) Company/Brand Country/Region Known Production Capacity (tons/year) Remarks and Data Source DSM (Brand: Dyneema®) Netherlands (Global) 32,000 tonnes (Combined Capacity) (Approximately 25,000 tonnes in Europe) A global technology pioneer and market leader. As of the end of 2024, its combined capacity in the Netherlands and Japan was approximately 32,000 tonnes. It holds a major share of the global high-end market. Honeywell (Brand: Spectra®) USA 14,200 (Dry Process) Uses dry process technology, with a capacity of 14,200 tons. It is the world's second-largest supplier, with a market share of approximately 30%. Toyobo Japan 3,000 (Wet Process) Uses wet process technology, with a production capacity of 3,000 tons. Avient (acquired DSM's Dyneema business) United States Unspecified Acquired DSM's protective materials business (including Dyneema) in 2021. Specific production capacity data is not disclosed separately. Mitsui Chemicals Japan 18,000 2024 production capacity is 18,000 tons, mainly supplying the lithium battery separator substrate and medical materials markets. Other Japan, South Korea, etc. Small quantities For example, Teijin in Japan also produces small quantities of UHMWPE fiber. 3. Major Application Areas and Proportions in 2025 3.1 Highly Concentrated Downstream Applications of UHMWPE Fiber in China Application Areas Percentage of UHMWPE Fiber Consumption in China (approximately) Typical End-Use Products ① Military/Police Equipment (Bulletproof Vests, Bulletproof Helmets, Vehicle/Naval Armor Layers, etc.) ≈23–26% (Median ≈24%) Individual Soldier Protection, Vehicle Armor Plates, Blast-Proof Layers, Shields ② Marine Industry (Marine Engineering Cables/Mooring Cables, Towing Cables, Salvage Lines, Fishing Cables/Nets) ≈23–26% (Median ≈24–25%) Marine mooring, port towing cables, deep-sea fishing nets ③ Occupational Safety and Health Protection (PPE) (mainly cut-resistant gloves, followed by cut-resistant clothing/arm protectors, etc.) ≈21–24% (median value usually ≈22–23%) EN388 cut-resistant gloves, suitable for metal processing/glass/cold chain/logistics scenarios ④ Other civilian/industrial applications: Sports and leisure equipment + functional fabrics for textiles/home textiles + limited applications in construction, etc. ≈25–30% (total) Skiing/ice skate clothing, bulletproof bag fabrics, cooling home textiles, abrasion-resistant fabrics, impact-resistant reinforcement in construction, etc. 3.2 Global Market UHMWPE Fiber Application Proportion Applications (by revenue) Percentage (approximately) Explanation Ballistic Protection (Bulletproof/Stab-proof/Riot-resistant Protective Gear, UD Fabric System) ≈37–38% Individual soldier soft/hard ballistic protection systems, vehicle and ship armor; high added value, therefore its cost percentage is higher than its tonnage percentage. Maritime & Offshore (Marine/Offshore Cables, Moorings, Cable Mooring Reinforcement) ≈26% Lightweight and corrosion-resistant are the core selling points. Industrial / Fishing / Ropes & Nets ≈17% Often blurred with the "ocean" boundary, depending on how the organization dismantles it. Medical grade (sutures, medical protective fabrics, etc.) ≈13% High barriers to entry, niche market, high unit price Others (Sports, Specialty Industries, Emerging Industries) ≈6% Includes some emerging concept scenarios (such as tendons and ligaments are still very small). 4. Major Technological Progress in 2025 4.1 New Product Launch: Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber launched the domestically first "Durable Lilan" product, which adopts dry spinning technology and has better performance than some imported products. It is mainly aimed at deep-sea aquaculture and marine engineering. 4.2 Breakthrough in Emerging Applications: (1) Robotics Field: Tongyizhong has obtained small-scale sales orders for robot tendon ropes. Nanshan Zhishang's anti-creep tendon rope products have passed testing and have reached a designated cooperation agreement with Tesla Optimus.(2) Medical Field: AVIENT's Dyneema Purity Blackfiber has entered the medical field.(3) Process and Equipment Breakthroughs: China Chemical's Western UHMWPE project successfully completed the commissioning of the catalyst preparation unit (triethylaluminum TEAL metering pump), achieving stable delivery and precise metering of key catalysts and ensuring process stability.(4) Modification Technology R&D: The industry continues to invest in the R&D of high-value-added fibers such as solution coloring, anti-creep, and high-temperature resistant fibers to expand application scenarios. 5. Market Outlook for 2026 5.1 Growth Drivers: The global market is expected to maintain steady growth, reaching a market size of nearly RMB 9.99 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% from 2025 to 2031. Another forecast shows a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2031. The main growth drivers are demand from emerging fields such as national defense and security, marine economy, new energy (lithium battery separator substrate), and humanoid robots. 5.2 Challenges: (1) Supply and demand and price pressures: From the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026, the market will be under pressure due to multiple factors, including upstream raw material price reductions that will seize market share, declining export orders, and weak domestic demand. For example, the market price of 400D fiber fell from 52-53 yuan/kg to 47-48 yuan/kg.(2) Structural contradictions: The industry faces the problem of "oversupply of low-end products and insufficient supply of high-end products," with high-end products still relying on imports.(3) Export controls: Items such as bulletproof non-woven fabric have been included in export controls, which will affect the export of related products in the short term.