Executive Summary
This week (Week 1, July 2026), six key new materials sectors continue to show high activity. The three major themes of domestic substitution, new energy applications, and semiconductor breakthroughs are advancing in parallel. Below is a heat and competition trend analysis for each sector.
1. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
1.1 Price and Supply-Demand Status
- Suspension medium-grade domestic price: CNY 31,800-34,000/ton; slight decline in late June-early July (Shandong Luxi Chemical down CNY 1,000/ton)
- Supply-demand imbalance persists: new capacity continues to flood in, severe oversupply; downstream purchasing sentiment weak, restocking on-demand only
- High raw material costs provide support: R22 quoted at CNY 21,000-22,000/ton; anhydrous hydrofluoric acid high-level oscillation; fluorite prices remain elevated
1.2 Heat Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Stable with Downward Bias)
1.3 Trend Outlook
Near-term, conflicting positive and negative factors maintain a stalemate; high costs underpin prices but demand shows no significant recovery. PTFE prices expected to fluctuate weakly in July. Watch for R22 quota policy changes and new application scenarios in new energy sectors.
2. PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)
2.1 Market Dynamics
- Humanoid robots emerge as new growth engine for PEEK: CITIC Securities forecasts global PEEK market to reach CNY 8.5 billion by 2027; PEEK’s lightweight, high-temperature resistant (260C), and high-strength properties are accelerating adoption in humanoid robot joints and structural components
- NEV 800V fast-charging drives demand for PEEK magnet wire, battery housings, and e-drive systems
- Domestic substitution accelerates: Zhongyan, Watson and other domestic companies continue expanding capacity; Victrex’s dominant position is gradually weakening
2.2 Heat Rating: ★★★★☆ (High-Speed Growth)
2.3 Trend Outlook
Humanoid robots + NEV dual-engine drive; annual PEEK demand growth rate expected to exceed 20%. CF/PEEK (carbon fiber reinforced PEEK) composites open broader market space in aviation sector.
3. Carbon Fiber
3.1 Market Dynamics
- Wind power blade carbon fiber demand exceeded 100,000 tons for the first time in 2025; Jilin Chemical Fiber became the world’s largest carbon fiber producer
- March 2026: Zhongfu Shenying launched T1200 ultra-high-strength carbon fiber with 100-ton mass production capability
- High-pressure hydrogen storage tanks: carbon fiber cost accounts for >60%; Guofu Hydrogen and other leading companies have achieved full domestic substitution for hydrogen tank carbon fiber
- Low-altitude economy: carbon fiber composites demand surges in eVTOL airframe structures
3.2 Heat Rating: ★★★★★ (Explosive Growth)
3.3 Trend Outlook
Global carbon fiber demand expected to reach 450,000 tons/year by 2030; wind power + hydrogen dual-engine drive; 2025-2030 CAGR ~19.3%. Low-altitude economy to become the next growth engine.
4. Special Ceramics (Silicon Nitride / Silicon Carbide)
4.1 Market Dynamics
- SiC (silicon carbide) substrates: 2022-2026 market CAGR ~25%; 2026 projected at USD 1.7 billion; SiC devices for NEVs growing fastest at CAGR ~30%
- Silicon nitride precision ceramic balls: USD 273 million in 2025, projected USD 830 million by 2032; CAGR 17.5%
- Semiconductor silicon carbide ceramics: lithography machine tables, guide rails, mirrors, ceramic chucks — key components seeing accelerated domestic substitution
- Silicon nitride ceramic substrates: USD 80.6 million globally in 2025, USD 22.7 million in China; CAGR 4.83%
4.2 Heat Rating: ★★★★☆ (Sustained Rise)
4.3 Trend Outlook
Third-generation semiconductors + semiconductor equipment localization dual drive; SiC and Si3N4 ceramics entering golden development period; domestic companies accelerating breakthroughs in overseas monopolies.
5. Electronic Chemicals
5.1 Market Dynamics
- Photoresist domestic substitution erupts: KrF photoresist domestic rate racing toward 50%; ArF photoresist has broken through 28nm mass production and verified by SMIC
- China National Semiconductor Fund Phase III: CNY 160 billion total, ~18% allocated to photoresist and semiconductor materials
- Shanghai subsidy policy: 10% subsidy for wafer fabs purchasing domestic photoresist
- Dinglong shares new ~1,000 gallon KrF/ArF photoresist orders; mass production orders already queued to 2027
- Shengquan Group achieves small-batch stable supply of KrF photoresist PHS resin
5.2 Heat Rating: ★★★★★ (Policy-Driven, Explosion Threshold)
5.3 Trend Outlook
2026 is the key breakthrough year for domestic photoresist. G/I-line fully localized; KrF accelerating penetration; ArF steadily substituting. Global semiconductor photoresist market projected at USD 58.1 billion in 2026.
6. Aerogel
6.1 Market Dynamics
- Global 2026 market size ~USD 1.9 billion; 2026-2032 CAGR ~9.5%; projected USD 3.3 billion by 2032
- China has become the world’s largest aerogel producer and consumer
- NEV battery thermal runaway protection: CATL, Fudi Battery, CALB and other leading battery makers comprehensively adopting aerogel thermal insulation
- New regulation GB 38031-2025 mandates no fire within 2 hours after thermal runaway — driving accelerated aerogel adoption
- Building energy efficiency: China’s building energy-saving materials market growing >15% annually; high-end nano-aerogel segment growing 20%+
6.2 Heat Rating: ★★★★☆ (Rapid Growth)
6.3 Trend Outlook
Aerogel to see synergistic growth across NEV batteries, building energy efficiency, and oil/gas pipelines — three major scenarios. Multi-component aerogel becoming the new R&D hotspot.
Comprehensive Heat Ranking
| Rank | Material | Heat | Core Driver | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbon Fiber | 5/5 | Wind Power + H2 + Low-Altitude | High (capacity expanding rapidly) |
| 2 | Electronic Chemicals / Photoresist | 5/5 | Dom. Substitution + Fund III | Medium (ArF/EUV still constrained) |
| 3 | PEEK | 4/5 | Humanoid Robots + 800V NEV | Medium (Victrex 60% share) |
| 4 | Aerogel | 4/5 | Battery Protection + Bldg. Energy | Medium (concentrated top players) |
| 5 | Special Ceramics | 4/5 | 3rd Gen. Semi + Equip. Local. | High (US/Japan/EU dominated) |
| 6 | PTFE | 3/5 | Cost Support + Capacity Consolidation | High (oversupply) |
Actionable Recommendations
- Carbon Fiber + PEEK combo: Prioritize customer development in wind power, robotics, and NEV — three high-growth verticals
- Photoresist: Track China National Semiconductor Fund Phase III investment trends; KrF/ArF product verification milestones are key nodes
- Aerogel: Capture GB 38031-2025 mandatory installation window; lock in battery maker supply chains
- PTFE: Cautious stance; watch for R22 price policy changes that may create trading opportunities
Generated: July 5, 2026 | Sources: 100ppi.com, SCI99, East Money, Gongyan Research, Chinabaogao | Market Intelligence Officer
Leave a Reply