Unveiling the Materials Behind the National Flag: From Parade Grounds to Global Benchmark, How This Shade of Red Conquered the World

The solemn moment of the September 3rd military parade is about to begin with a stunning impact. On this world-renowned reviewing ground, China will showcase its great power and military prowess with overwhelming momentum. As the neatly aligned formations march past Tiananmen with resounding steps, and as the advanced and sophisticated weaponry shines brilliantly, the fluttering Five-star Red Flag, like a blazing flame, ignites the pride and honor in the hearts of every Chinese person, tightly uniting the hearts of the sons and daughters of China.

Source: CCTV News

However, what may be little known is that behind the national flag lies a complex connection with plasticized materials. In this seemingly ordinary yet profoundly meaningful object, plasticized materials play an indispensable role. As a vertical information service platform for the plasticization industry, Zhuansu Shijie delves into the story behind the materials of the national flag, unveiling this veil for you to jointly appreciate the wonderful sparks ignited by the collision of the national flag and plasticized materials.

Material revealed, the national flag actually has it too.National Standard

The national flag is the supreme symbol of a country and its people, solemn and sacred. China has a special National Flag Law, which stipulates the specifications and usage of the national flag. Likewise, there are strict national standards that must be followed in the selection of materials for the national flag.

Printing a red flag is a complex process that requires passing through several ovens, using high-temperature and high-pressure sublimation tanks, and addingUnder a pressure of 1.6 kilograms and lasting 45 minutes, the entire process is maintained in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. After steaming is completed, the five-star red flag needs to be rinsed with running water at 100 degrees Celsius to wash away the surface's floating color. Tie-dyeing, hanging printing, color development, rinsing, and high-temperature fixing—these complex procedures are all carried out to achieve the "National Flag Red" as stipulated by the National Flag Law.

In daily life, the national flags we commonly see are mostly made of Chun Yafang fabric. This material is primarily composed of polyester and undergoes multiple complex processing steps. As a result, the finished national flag displays bright and eye-catching colors. Moreover, this fabric boasts high strength and good elasticity, allowing it to remain smooth and crisp even after prolonged exposure to wind and sun. It does not easily deform or get damaged, making it extremely durable.

In certain special occasions, such as displaying a national flag on the moon, the requirements for the fabric are more stringent. Basalt fiber stands out as it possesses excellent thermal insulation and radiation resistance properties, allowing it to remain stable in the moon's extreme environment, making it the ideal choice for making such flags. Additionally, aramid fiber, as a high-performance organic fiber, is resistant to acid and alkali, lightweight, and can withstand high vacuum, high and low temperature cycles, and intense ultraviolet radiation, providing reliable assurance for flag production in extreme environments.

Whether it is the commonly used spring yarn or basalt fiber and aramid fiber used in special environments, their selection and production strictly adhere to the "National Flag" standards.The GB 12982-2004 standard regulates various aspects such as fabric performance and manufacturing processes, ensuring that every national flag possesses excellent quality and outstanding durability, allowing the flag to always display the nation's dignity and honor in its best form.

The most commonly used plastic for an annual demand of over 100 million sheets.PET

The number of national flags manufactured in China each year is quite considerable. According to authoritative data and industry estimates, this number is at least approximately...1 billion flags. Taking Huadu Desheng Printing Company in Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province as an example, the company produces as much as 30 million meters of national flag fabric annually, accounting for 60% of the country's total output. If each flag is assumed to use an average of 0.5 meters of fabric, the total national flag production becomes clear at a glance. Moreover, the 2024 industry report shows that China's national flag market size has reached several tens of billions of yuan and continues to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5%, further confirming the high estimated annual production volume.

Among various flag-making materials, spun polyester stands out with its unique advantages, becoming the industry mainstream. It is estimated that spun polyester flags account for as much asMore than 80%. This is attributed to the wide application and excellent characteristics of spring subspun.

Image source: Baidu Ai Caigou

It is primarily composed of polyester fiber, featuring advantages such as being lightweight, thin, wear-resistant, and easy to print, making it very suitable for large-scale production of national flags. In contrast, warp-knit fabric, although having good breathability, is mainly used for outdoor advertising flags and accounts for a much smaller proportion compared to spun polyester fabric; while aramid fiber is mostly used in special scenarios, such as extreme environments, and does not directly compete with spun polyester fabric.

The main chemical components of spring yarn fabric are100% polyester, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This material is produced from petrochemical products through esterification and polycondensation reactions. As a type of plastic material, it is not only widely used in the textile industry but also commonly found in packaging materials and other fields. According to different weaving techniques and finishing processes, Chun Yafang fabric can be divided into several types such as semi-dull, full-dull, and matte, to meet the needs of various applications.

The number of national flags manufactured in China each year is enormous, with major production concentrated in Zhejiang, Shanghai, and other areas. Among these flags, Chun Yafang fabric, with its unique advantages and wide applications, has become the mainstream material in the industry, accounting for a high proportion.More than 80%. Its main component is polyester (PET), which is a type of plastic material with many excellent properties.

Strict standards let the quality of Chinese manufacturing soar globally.

The demand for the Chinese national flag is substantial, but the entry threshold is exceptionally high. According to industry data, only four or five companies nationwide have the qualifications to produce national flags. Among them, Huadu Desheng Printing Company in Zhuji, Zhejiang, is the leading enterprise. This company prints flags annually.30 million meters of American flag fabric, accounting for 60% of the national total output, with products requiring 8 precise processes. The entire procedure, from fabric reversing to packaging, is strictly controlled.

Image source: CCTV News

A special license issued by the provincial government is required to produce national flags. The process, from submitting application materials to on-site inspection and sample testing, is complex and governed by strict standards to ensure that every national flag complies with the relevant regulations.GB 12982-2004 and other mandatory national standards.

These enterprises not only undertake domestic orders but also extend their business globally. For example, a factory in Shaoxing urgently ramped up production within a week following the passing of the Queen of the United Kingdom.500,000 British flags, each costing only 7 yuan, demonstrate the efficiency and cost advantages of Chinese manufacturing.

Although the United States once attempted to enforce domestic production of national flags through legislation, the complex craftsmanship and high costs ultimately necessitated a large amount of imports from China.In 2017, 99.5% of the 10 million American-imported national flags came from China.

Industry barriers are not only reflected in qualifications but also stem from technological accumulation and supply chain integration. As a mainstream material, Chun Ya Fabric production involves the esterification and polycondensation reactions of polyester fibers. It requires different weaving processes such as plain weave and twill weave to achieve diversified functions, making it difficult for new companies to master the core technology in a short period of time.

In addition, China’s comprehensive industrial chain layout, from raw materials (terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol) to finished product processing, has created a competitive advantage that is difficult to replicate.The dual barriers of "technology + supply chain" enable Chinese national flag manufacturing enterprises to maintain their global leading position by breaking into high-end markets and transitioning to green production, even in the face of international market fluctuations.

Epilogue:

From the solemn moments of the Tiananmen military parade to the magnificent journey of lunar exploration, from the vast domestic market demand to the continuous growth of international orders, the manufacture of the Chinese national flag embodies the wisdom of materials science and the power of industrial upgrading. Behind the annual production scale of over 100 million flags lies the precise control of stringent standards by materials such as spunbond fabric and basalt fiber, supported by a complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products by enterprises in regions like Zhejiang and Shanghai.

From technological barriers to supply chain advantages, China’s national flag industry demonstrates with solid strength that every flag flying proudly in the wind is a vivid testament to the transformation of the nation’s manufacturing from big to strong.