News
China witnesses prosperous development of carbon fiber industry
By Han Xin, People’s Daily
Carbon fibers, dubbed “black gold material,” are of high tensile strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. They can be applied in a wide range of fields such as aerospace, energy equipment, transportation, and sports equipment.
They turn wind turbines and new energy vehicles lighter, carrier rockets more energy-efficient, and fishing poles and rackets more durable. As a matter of fact, carbon fibers are now seen in almost every industry and are seeping into every household.
Carbon fibers are divided into small-tow and large-tow categories. A bundle of more than 48,000 carbon fibers would fall under the large-tow category.
Small-tow carbon fibers are of high performance, which nonetheless involve high costs. Large-tow ones, on the contrary, are much more cheaper but still maintain reliability. Hence, they enjoy wider application in the market.
Recently, China’s first 10,000-ton large-tow carbon fiber project was put into use in the carbon fiber industrial base of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd.
The products are on par with similar overseas items in functionality. Every bundle has 48,000 carbon fibers, each of which is as thin as 1/7 to 1/8 of the diameter of hair but features strength seven to nine times that of steel. The carbon content is more than 95 percent.
This means China has made important breakthroughs in the production of large-tow carbon fibers and the domestic manufacturing of equipment.
As China’s high-tech industry develops, carbon fibers have embraced wider areas of application.
According to statistics, the country’s demand for the material surged rapidly in the past decade. China saw a demand of 62,000 tons for carbon fibers in 2021, up 27.7 percent year on year.
In addition to the growing demand in the aerospace industry, the new energy sector led by the wind turbine industry has become an important engine driving the development of carbon fibers, taking the carbon fiber industry to a new phase of development featuring industrial application.
Such demand will keep growing in the foreseeable future, given the constant equipment upgrading in the commercial aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle industries in China.
Thanks to the expanding market, the Chinese carbon fiber industry is seeing a better structure and delivering products that are of higher performance and lower cost.
Gangke carbon material company in north China’s Shanxi province is now capable of producing all major carbon fiber products, and leading Chinese carbon fiber manufacturer Zhongfu Shenying is also building a 30,000-ton carbon fiber plant.
For some time, China has constantly made new breakthroughs in the manufacturing and key technologies of carbon fibers and expanded relevant production capacity thanks to policy support and the efforts made by enterprises. The market share of domestically produced carbon fiber products climbed to 46.9 percent in 2021 from 31.7 percent in 2019.
China boasts a complete and independent industrial system and enjoys advantages as a super large market, which creates rich scenarios for the commercial application of carbon fibers. Its large R&D teams and emerging innovative market entities also provide solid support for the innovation of carbon fiber technologies.
Currently, there’s still big room for improvement in the performance and stability of China’s domestically made carbon fiber products, though the country’s carbon fiber industry has made great strides. The country is still relying on imported products when it comes to core carbon fiber equipment.
In the future, China will make more innovations in key technologies and make its carbon fiber production internationally competitive, so as to promote high-quality development of the carbon fiber industry.
Indications emerged that the personal Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume, Hon. Andrew Torhile Uchi, is currently in the facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over allegations bordering on corruption, bribery and money laundering amounting to a whooping N10 billion.
A highly placed source at the Commission yesterday, confirmed to our correspondent that the embattled Uchi was invited by the operatives of the Commission on Monday, upon a petition received by the anti-graft agency over Alleged properties he acquired in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi, Gboko and Wannune in Tarka, local government Area of Benue State amounting to over N6 billion.
According to the source, further investigations so far, has revealed that between December 2023 to date the anti-graft agency has been able to trace a whooping N1.6 billion that was allegedly used in buying purch cars through four new generations banks to nine car dealers in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and Makurdi respectively.
The source further added that two Bureau de change operatives are currently been investigated by the Commission, over their alleged involvement in the scam, owing that most of the funds credited to embattled Torhile Andrew Uchi, emanated from their coys.
He said that the Commission is currently working towards getting a court nod to widen the scope of their investigations to the properties in Abuja, Jos and other part of the country to ascertain the source of the income and how the properties were allegedly purchased.
As of the time of filing in this report Mr. Uchi, is still in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, telling the dreaded operatives of the Commission how he allegedly got the funds which is largely believed to be proceeds from bribes.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Commission, Mr Dele Oyewale, proved abortive as his phone lines was said to be switched off.
The Nigerian Senate has formally responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), refuting allegations that her suspension was linked to claims of sexual harassment.
According to Vanguard, Senator Natasha had petitioned the global body, seeking intervention over what she described as an injustice against her.
However, in a letter signed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate insisted that her six-month suspension was due to “gross misconduct and unruly behavior”, not allegations of sexual harassment or assault.
The letter, read by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, stated:
“The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
It further emphasized that “Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Additionally, the Senate called for a thorough investigation into the allegations she raised against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, maintaining that all due procedures were followed before her suspension.
Senator Natasha, however, vowed to continue her fight against “injustice”. Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has denied the accusations, asserting that he has never assaulted any woman.
The dispute between the two lawmakers intensified on February 20, 2025, after Natasha’s seat was changed during plenary. Their tensions date back to July 2024, when Akpabio rebuked her for alleged misconduct, telling her the Senate was “not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.” He later apologized for the remark.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, exactly 37 days after his suspension.
A letter addressed to Osagie by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, Esq., and marked SGA. 15/NOL.XV111/215, conveyed the governor’s directive. The letter, dated March 12, 2025, and released at 8:15 p.m., stated that an investigative panel had exonerated Osagie of alleged financial infractions.
The letter read: “Having considered the report of the Investigative Panel set up by Government to investigate allegations of financial infractions reported against you, which has exonerated you from the said allegations, I write to convey the directive of the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that you resume duties as the State Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice with effect from 12th March, 2025.”
Reacting to his reinstatement, Osagie expressed appreciation for the governor’s leadership, describing the decision as a testament to Okpebholo’s sincerity and vision for Edo State.
“I appreciate his sincerity of purpose and vision for the state. This is a clear indication that His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, means well for the state. I use this medium to reiterate my commitment and loyalty to him and his administration,” Osagie said.
He further pledged to support the governor in advancing Edo State, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring progress and recovery in the state’s governance.
China’s new chapter in global innovation
Chinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law
Chinese modernization: blueprint for global progress
-
News15 hours agoN10bn Alleged Loot: EFCC Probes SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi
-
Foreign13 hours agoSmall packages, big Momentum: how logistics reflects China’s economic strength
-
Foreign12 hours agoChina’s meteorological early warning solutions benefit the world
-
Foreign12 hours agoChina’s economic resilience: overcoming challenges, advancing with confidence
-
Foreign12 hours agoHigh-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth
-
Foreign11 hours agoChinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law
-
Foreign12 hours agoChinese modernization: blueprint for global progress
-
Foreign11 hours agoChina’s new chapter in global innovation