Global ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capacity is expanding rapidly and market development prospects are promising

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a linear polyethylene product made from olefin monomers such as ethylene through a polymerization process, with a relative molecular weight of more than 1.5 million. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene appears as white powder. As a thermoplastic engineering plastic, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has good corrosion resistance, self-lubrication, wear resistance, low temperature resistance, etc. It is hygienic and non-toxic and can be processed into various types. Products such as sheets, pipes, fibers, and films are widely used in aerospace, military and national defense, packaging, rail transit, medical, lithium battery separators and other fields.

In recent years, with the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the global ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene market consumption has continued to grow. Despite the impact of the epidemic, global ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene consumption still increased in 2020, reaching 344,000 tons. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a wide range of applications, and market consumption will further grow in the future, and is expected to reach 486,000 tons in 2025.

According to the “2021-2025 Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Industry Market In-depth Research and Investment Prospects Forecast Analysis Report released by the Industrial Research Center , with the increase in market demand and the increase in the number of companies involved, global ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capacity has been released rapidly. By the end of 2020, the global ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene industry production capacity has reached 432,000 tons. Globally, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capacity is mainly concentrated in Asia and North America, with the two regions accounting for more than 70% of the total production capacity.

The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene market is highly concentrated. In the international market, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene market suppliers mainly include Mitsui Chemicals of Japan, Honeywell, Montel of the United States, Braskem of Brazil, Celanese Tecna of Germany, etc. ; In the domestic market, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene manufacturers include Sinopec Yanshan Petrochemical, Shanghai Lianle Chemical, Henan Watson, Qilu Petrochemical, Jiujiang Zhongke Xinxing, etc.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber and its composite materials are key products of strategic emerging industries. In recent years, driven by factors such as national policy support, technological empowerment, and corporate layout, my country’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene industry has developed rapidly. At this stage, my country has become a major producer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the world. However, due to technical limitations, my country’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene products are mostly concentrated in the mid- to low-end fields, and high-end products are still highly dependent on imports. In the future market development, relevant companies should increase investment in product and technology research and development while expanding production capacity, and promote the upgrading of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene industry to high-end, low-cost and other directions.

Industry analysts said that ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has excellent comprehensive properties and has a wide range of applications. With the increase in market demand, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has The polyethylene market consumption and production capacity will further increase, and the future market development prospects are broad. In recent years, my country’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capacity has been continuously improved, but the products are mostly concentrated in the mid- and low-end fields. Against the background of upgrading market demand, domestic enterprises should increase investment in product and technology research and development, improve product quality, and then upgrade high-end products. Domestic production rate of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.