At Viotech, we are seeing the global carbon fiber industry reach several critical turning points that will have a lasting impact on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and long-term supply chain resilience. From our perspective as a China-based sourcing and market-entry partner, these changes are reshaping how international buyers evaluate cost, quality, and supply security.
Manufacturing Technology as the Foundation of Supplier Selection
We view technological capability as the core indicator of a carbon fiber supplier’s competitiveness. China’s midstream carbon fiber manufacturing processes are transitioning from technology catch-up to parallel development, with localized leadership emerging in selected production segments.
In our supplier evaluations, we focus closely on how manufacturers manage key production stages, including: Precursor fiber preparation, Pre-oxidation, Carbonization and Surface treatment and sizing.
The stability and maturity of each process, together with the level of equipment localization and energy efficiency, directly influence product consistency, mechanical performance, and long-term cost control. Suppliers with integrated, well-managed production lines are better positioned to support both industrial-scale volumes and performance-driven applications.
What Price Cycles Mean for Carbon Fiber Procurement
From a sourcing standpoint, understanding price cycles is essential for building sustainable procurement strategies. The current carbon fiber upcycle began in 2019, driven by demand growth from photovoltaics, wind energy, and hydrogen-related applications, as well as temporary supply disruptions following the 2020 suspension of carbon fiber exports by Toray Industries in Japan.
The market peaked in 2022, with average carbon fiber prices reaching RMB 175.59/kg. Since the second half of 2022, however, new capacity expansions and slower-than-expected downstream demand growth have resulted in oversupply and sustained price pressure.
Based on our market tracking:
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2023 average price: RMB 118.33/kg (–32.61% YoY)
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2024 average price: RMB 90.10/kg (–23.85% YoY)
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H1 2025 average price: RMB 83.75/kg (–11.26% YoY)
Notably, prices around RMB 83.75/kg have remained stable for nearly three consecutive quarters, indicating early signs of market bottoming. For buyers, this creates a more favorable environment for longer-term supply agreements and structured price negotiations.
Application Expansion and How It Shapes Sourcing Decisions
We are also observing a rapid expansion of carbon fiber applications beyond traditional sectors such as aerospace and sports & leisure into a broad range of industrial and energy-related markets, including: Wind turbine blades, New energy vehicles (NEVs), Pressure vessels and hydrogen storage, Carbon composites, Low-altitude aircraft and eVTOL platforms, Marine and shipbuilding, Construction and infrastructure, Rail transit and Power transmission cables.
From a sourcing perspective, this diversification means that no single supplier fits all applications. Material specifications, quality standards, cost targets, and volume requirements vary significantly across end-use scenarios. Our role is to align each client’s technical and commercial requirements with the right supplier profile, rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Viotech Supports Carbon Fiber Sourcing in China
In this evolving market environment, Viotech helps clients source carbon fiber in China through a structured, risk-managed approach, including:
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Supplier landscape mapping and shortlisting
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Technical capability and process audits
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Product benchmarking and cost-performance analysis
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Quality control and delivery risk assessment
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Commercial negotiation support and contract structuring
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Ongoing supplier performance monitoring
We place particular emphasis on suppliers with proven capabilities in large-tow, low-cost carbon fiber, stable capacity utilization, and clear roadmaps for green manufacturing and sustainability compliance.
A More Strategic Phase for Carbon Fiber Sourcing
As China’s carbon fiber industry continues to mature, sourcing decisions are becoming increasingly strategic. For international buyers, success will depend on choosing the right partners, understanding technology and cost drivers, and building resilient supply chains.
At Viotech, we work closely with our clients to navigate these complexities—helping them move beyond price-driven sourcing toward long-term, value-focused partnerships in China’s carbon fiber supply chain.