On September 1, the 29th China International Composite Materials Industry Technology Exhibition grandly opened at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). As a premier industry event with tremendous influence in the global composite materials sector, this three-day expo has attracted 977 companies from 17 countries and regions worldwide, gathering to showcase the outstanding achievements of new quality productive forces in the composite materials industry. Reportedly, the exhibition covers a gross area of 76,000 square meters. The opening day saw a surge in attendance, with a total visitor turnout of 22,974, including 15,350 trade visitors and 1,412 international visitors, fully demonstrating the expo's strong drawing power in the global industry.
Looking back at its history, the China International Composite Materials Industry Technology Exhibition has embarked on a remarkable journey of nearly three decades since its inception in 1995. Evolving from a simple platform for trade matchmaking and technology transfer, the expo has gradually transformed into one of the most authoritative and influential industry events in the global composite materials sector. It is not only a witness but also a powerful catalyst for the development of China's composite materials industry, comprehensively documenting and vigorously propelling the sector's historical progression from initially following global trends, to running alongside international peers, and now taking the lead in certain niche segments.
Currently, the global composite materials market is in a golden age of rapid development, continuing to expand at a nearly double-digit growth rate. Against this macroeconomic backdrop, thermoplastic composites, green and recyclable materials, and smart manufacturing have emerged as the three core engines driving the high-quality development of the entire industry. With their superior recyclability and processing efficiency, thermoplastic composites are progressively replacing conventional materials; green and recyclable materials align with the global imperative for carbon neutrality; and the deep integration of smart manufacturing has substantially enhanced both production efficiency and product quality consistency. The synergistic drive of these three engines is reshaping the competitive landscape of the global composite materials industry.
At the opening ceremony and the "CCE-JEC" Innovation Achievements Launch Event, Zhao Junshan, President of the China Composite Materials Association, delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out that, under the strategic guidance of national macro policies, China's composite materials industry has leapfrogged to become a vital engine for global development. According to the association's latest preliminary statistics, the output value of China's composite materials industry reached 313 billion yuan in 2025, accounting for 38% of the global market share, with total production exceeding 8 million metric tons. In terms of core technology R&D, domestic high-performance carbon fibers such as T1000-grade have achieved successful technological breakthroughs, breaking the long-standing monopoly by foreign players. Meanwhile, strategic deployment is accelerating in frontier areas such as thermoplastic composites and bio-based composites. On the application front, the continuously expanding demand from strategic emerging industries like aerospace, wind power, and the low-altitude economy is opening up vast avenues for growth.
However, while acknowledging these remarkable achievements, President Zhao also objectively analyzed the formidable challenges currently facing the industry. He noted that China's composite materials industry still suffers from shortcomings such as an insufficient supply of high-end products and a reliance on imports for key core equipment, meaning the journey toward the mid-to-high end of the value chain remains long and arduous. Addressing these challenges, he put forward three strategic recommendations with far-reaching vision: First, uphold innovation-driven development to accelerate the achievement of high-level technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, focusing resources on overcoming critical technological bottlenecks; Second, champion green and low-carbon practices to promote sustainable development across the entire industrial chain, actively responding to global environmental trends; Third, commit to open cooperation to build a mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem, deepening international exchanges and capacity cooperation.
As the expo gets fully underway, all exhibition zones are brimming with highlights. Nearly 1,000 domestic and international companies made a high-profile debut, showcasing their latest R&D breakthroughs, cutting-edge technical solutions, and innovative application cases, presenting a veritable technological feast in the composite materials sector. The opening day turnout of over 20,000 not only reflects the industry's strong appetite for new technologies and products but also confirms the increasingly vital supporting role of composite materials across various sectors of the national economy.
Over the next three days, the 29th China International Composite Materials Industry Technology Exhibition will continue to unfold at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Bringing together global intelligence, this flagship industry event will undoubtedly further facilitate the deep integration of the upstream and downstream sectors of the industrial chain, injecting robust new momentum into the high-quality and sustainable development of the global composite materials industry.