PEEK Signs with Jilin University!

[DT New Materials] learned that on September 28, the leading auto parts company Ningbo Huaxiang announced that its joint venture, Ningbo Fengmei PEEK New Materials Co., Ltd., signed a "Patent Implementation License Agreement" with Jilin University. The joint venture invested 30 million yuan to obtain an ordinary implementation license for the Chinese patents and proprietary technology related to the industrial mass production of PEEK owned by Jilin University (hereinafter referred to as "licensed technology") for a period of 20 years. Simultaneously, the joint venture hired a technical team including experts and professors from Jilin University to provide corresponding comprehensive technical services and training. After obtaining authorization, the joint venture will conduct research and trial production on the polymerization, purification, modification, profile processing, and composite reinforcement processes of PEEK materials based on the licensed technology.

Image source: Weigesi

According to the information, Ningbo Fengmei Peak New Materials Co., Ltd. was established on September 4, 2025, with a registered capital of 50 million yuan. It was jointly invested by Ningbo Huaxiang, Ningbo Fengmei Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., and Ningbo Fengmei Peak Enterprise Management Partnership (with equity ratios of 30%, 60%, and 10%, respectively). The actual controller of these three companies is Zhou Xiaofeng. The company is primarily engaged in the research and application of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) materials.

Ningbo Huaxiang announced the establishment of a PEEK company but did not specify the source of the technology. Now the mystery is finally revealed: it turns out to be the renowned Jilin University, the cradle of PEEK in China.

It is reported that since the "Seventh Five-Year Plan," Jilin University has undertaken national science and technology projects and the "863" program. A team of scientists led by Wu Zhongwen spent over 30 years overcoming the challenges of PEEK synthesis technology, breaking the long-term monopoly held by foreign countries. During the "Eighth Five-Year Plan," their Special Engineering Plastics Research Center completed a 10-ton/year pilot test, and by the end of the "Ninth Five-Year Plan," they achieved a 30-ton/year pilot production, with key indicators reaching international levels.

In 2000, Professor Wu Zhongwen's team collaborated with a private enterprise to jointly establish a production line with a capacity of 500 tons. However, after the production line was completed in 2003, the factory faced the dilemma of being auctioned off due to a broken capital chain and bank loan issues. On December 13, 2005, Jilin University and Degussa (China) Co., Ltd. (Evonik) jointly established Jilin University-Degussa High Performance Polymers (Changchun) Co., Ltd., with Jilin University holding a 20% stake, until 2022 when it fully exited, making Evonik the sole owner. In 2007, Jilin University used new technology and patents to establish another production line with a capacity of 100 tons and founded Jida Te Su. The project "Preparation and Application Technology of Polyether Ether Ketone Resin" completed by Jiang Zhenhua, Wang Guibin, and others, won the second prize of the National Technological Invention Award in 2009.

In addition, the university also supports multiple companies through technology transfer, such as "China's first PEEK stock" Sino-Polymer. Moreover, the technologies of various companies such as Pengfulong, Junhua TSP, and Tongyi Co., Ltd. all point to Jilin University. It can be said that PEEK is a model of industry-university-research collaboration achieving technological independence in China.

In 2014, Zhongyan Polymer successfully industrialized the production of PEEK. The company's capacity for pure resin coarse powder is 1,000 tons per year, with sales reaching 965.51 tons in 2024, resulting in a capacity utilization rate of 112.36%. After the completion of the second phase of the company's integrated plant for 5,000 tons of PEEK deep-processed series products per year, an additional capacity of 200 tons per year for pure resin granules, 300 tons per year for composite reinforced granules, and 200 tons per year for products will be added.

Ningbo Huaxiang has entered the PEEK company, with a high possibility of focusing on serving the company's second route, the humanoid robot track. Due to its wear resistance, self-lubrication, and lightweight characteristics, PEEK has significant advantages in the field of robotics. Its application can not only achieve weight reduction and noise reduction but also be used to make rotating bushings and bearings, further enhancing the flexibility and endurance of robots.

As a result, PEEK has become highly sought after, and several listed companies have recently announced new developments.

Wangrun Co., Ltd. stated that the company has produced pilot products of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material, with a production capacity of about 100 tons, and has already sent samples to several downstream companies. Taihe Technology stated that the company's current PEEK project has completed the pilot phase, while the polyarylethernitrile (PEN) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) projects are currently in the pilot phase and have not yet been scaled up for production. Zhongfu Shenying stated that the company has successfully independently developed carbon fiber products suitable for thermoplastic PEEK and has completed market validation, achieving a certain level of sales. Brother Technology stated that the company's hydroquinone product has basically completed sample deliveries to mainstream domestic PEEK manufacturers and is actively promoting validation and marketing efforts. Lianhong New Science has completed the development of PEEK-related technology and pilot products and is advancing towards industrialization. Huitong Co., Ltd. indicated in its semi-annual report that it has developed high-performance PEEK materials and several other materials such as continuous fiber composites.

On August 27th, Zhongyan Co., Ltd. announced a decision to postpone the "Annual Production of 5,000 Tons of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Deep Processing Series Products Comprehensive Plant (Phase II) Project," adjusting the expected operational date from September 2025 to September 2026.

Leading indicator warning, worth being cautious.