China beats US, Japan in carbon-fibre arms race to create world’s first T1200 factory

South China Morning PostEN 2 min read 100% complete by Holly ChikMarch 13, 2026 at 05:00 AM

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China has become the first country to mass produce T1200-grade carbon fiber, a material with ten times the tensile strength of steel, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The carbon fiber, developed by the state-owned China National Building Material Group (CNBM), was unveiled at the JEC World trade show in Paris on Wednesday. CNBM projects an output capacity of approximately 100 tonnes per year. This development positions China ahead of competitors like Japan's Toray Industries, which has developed T1200-grade carbon fiber but has not disclosed production capacity, and the United States, which produces lower grades. The material has significant applications in defense industries, including aerospace, drones, and robotics, and is considered crucial for industrial and supply chain security.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Paris 40% Zhou Yuxian 60% Japan 60% CCTV ×370% United States 70% China National Building Material Group (CNBM) 75% Toray Industries ×380% China ×390%

Keywords

carbon fibre 100% t1200 90% mass production 80% tensile strength 70% defence industries 60% aerospace 60% toray industries 50% china 50% composite materials 40%