01  Rubber Skeleton Material Production and Sales Hit Record Highs

In 2025, the global economy showed resilience amid slowdown. China's economy progressed under pressure, completing the "14th Five-Year Plan". Stimulated by vehicle trade-in policies and NEV tax incentives, demand for automobiles and tires was released, driving stable growth for rubber skeleton materials. According to CRIA committee statistics, 2025 output for major skeleton materials grew: steel cord reached 3.45 million tons (+5%), bead wire 1.24 million tons (+7%), hose wire 380,000 tons (+4%), polyester cord 480,000 tons (+10%), and nylon cord 350,000 tons (+11%). Production and sales hit new highs, but intensified competition kept profitability low.

02  15th Five-Year Plan Guidelines Released: Charting Future Course

The "15th Five-Year Plan Guidelines for Rubber Skeleton Materials Industry" was released at the 2025 Annual Conference. It summarizes the "14th Five-Year Plan", focuses on innovation and green transformation, promotes high-end and intelligent development, R&D breakthroughs, and global布局 to ensure supply chain security and drive sustainable growth.

03  Two Key Industry Conferences Successfully Held

The 2025 China Rubber Skeleton Materials Annual Conference and the 5th National Rubber Skeleton Materials Application Seminar, organized by the CRIA Skeleton Materials Committee, were successfully held in Nanjing and Zhangjiagang respectively. These events are key measures to promote collaborative innovation and high-quality development.

04  Industry Leaders Expand Capacity, Advance Global Presence

On Nov 24, Shenma Industrial resolved to set up a subsidiary in Yinchuan to build a nylon 66 HMLS project (planned 35kt industrial yarn, 26kt cord). Haiyang Technology's 80kt nylon cord project's main buildings are complete; phase one (56kt) equipment is being installed. Jiangsu Shajiang's 25kt nylon 66 cord started production. Zhongwei's 15kt nylon 66 cord started production. ZENITH Steel Group (Huaian) reached nearly 500kt wire output by end 2025.

Following tire companies abroad, leading firms advanced global presence: Xingda's Thailand Phase II project's first steel beam was erected, set to reach 380kt steel cord capacity. Daye signed land transfer agreement in Morocco; Phase I expected by end 2026. Shenma's Thailand Phase I (10kt/y nylon 66 industrial yarn) started production in Q4 2025. Junma's Thailand factory commissioned in July 2025, now has 20kt/y nylon 6 cord capacity. Hailide proposed building 100kt polyester yarn, 20kt nylon yarn, 250kt chip projects in Vietnam, plus an 18kt cord project.

05  Positive Progress in First Steel Cord Anti-Dumping Case

In July 2024, Brazil launched an anti-dumping investigation on Chinese steel cord. CRIA organized companies like Xingda, Daye, Shoujia, and Kiswire to respond. After efforts, in Oct 2025, the applicant withdrew, and Brazil terminated the investigation.

This resolution averted export crises and secured strategic access to Mercosur markets like Argentina and Uruguay.

06  Rubber Skeleton Materials Expert Group Re-elected

The CRIA Skeleton Materials Committee expert group meeting was held May 22-24 in Zhangjiagang, completing the 4th term election. Six experts from skeleton and tire companies were added, with three companies completing transitions. Over 30 experts will focus on standard setting, planning, and new tech applications.

07  Haiyang Technology Listed on Main Board

On June 12, Haiyang Technology Co., Ltd. was listed on the main board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 603382). Founded in the 1970s, the company specializes in nylon 6 products and tire skeleton materials.

08  Standardization Advances, Leading High-Quality Development

ISO 23475-2:2025 (Steel cord test methods - Adhesion test), led by Bekaert China, was published. ISO 16650:2025 (Bead wire), revised by Shandong Daye, was approved. Three group standards on energy consumption limits for polyester, nylon 6, and nylon 66 dipped cords were released. Eight national and industry standards were also published.

09  Green Commitments Honored, Sustainable Development Advances

Xingda, Bekaert, ZENITH, Kiswire, Teijin Aramid received EcoVadis Gold; Daye, Junma, Zhangjiagang Junma, Ningbo Xinglun, Yadong, Sinochem High-Performance received Silver; Shoujia, Haiyang, Hangzhou Dikai, Qingdao Tianbang received Bronze.

In CDP assessment, Bekaert scored A, Xingda and Daye scored A-, Shoujia and Yadong scored B.

Shenma ESG rating achieved AA from Wind. Hailide's SBTs were validated by SBTi.

Xingda, Daye, Hengxing, ZENITH, Bekaert Jiangyin, Jiaxing Orient won steel cord energy efficiency leaders. Daye and Xingda won bead wire energy efficiency leaders.

Bekaert Shandong and Tengzhou Dongfang were named Shandong Green Factories. ZENITH Huaian and Sinochem High-Performance were named Jiangsu Green Factories.

Daye Smart Zero-Carbon Industrial Park was included in Shandong's zero-carbon park initiative.

Bekaert's UT/MT green tire cord won the Green Ribbon Award for Sustainable Practice.

Tayho Advanced Materials won a 2025 Sustainable Development Outstanding Practice Case.

10  Numerous Companies Receive Provincial-Level and Above Honors

Xingda won China Patent Excellence Award. Shenma's Weaving Plant No.1 won National Worker Pioneer.

Haiyang and Sinochem High-Performance were named National "Little Giant" Enterprises. Shengtong Steel Cord was named Shandong Manufacturing. Jiangsu Shajiang was named Jiangsu "Little Giant".

Xingda won National Excellent-Level Smart Factory. Haiyang and Leida won Jiangsu Advanced-Level Smart Factories. ZENITH Huaian won Jiangsu Industry-Level Industrial Internet Platform, Jiangsu Advanced-Level Smart Factory, and Level 3 Maturity.

 Source: China Rubber Journal