Low-altitude transportation upgrades to a national strategy, and composite materials companies are reaping the benefits of three-dimensional transportation.
A significant signal has emerged in the field of near- and low-altitude transportation—an industry previously explored primarily through local pilots—that has finally been elevated to the level of a national transportation strategy. For composite materials companies deeply engaged in lightweight and high-strength materials, this represents not only a policy opportunity but also a new gateway to a world of integrated transportation encompassing "air, land, and sea."
As the industry's leading voice, the China Composite Materials Industry Association (CCIA) has consistently helped companies stay abreast of cutting-edge information and technical regulations. They immediately highlighted the key to this national policy breakthrough: it presents an excellent opportunity for the composite materials industry and the low-altitude economy to resonate.
1. Policy Breakthrough: From "Local Trials" to "National Implementation"
On September 12, 2024, the General Office of the Ministry of Transport issued the "Guidelines for Application Directions for Pilot Programs in Building a Strong Transportation Nation (2025)," which revealed a key change: "Promoting the High-Quality Development of Low-Altitude Transportation" was included for the first time among the 16 core application areas, with 52 specific directions for advancement also detailed. This is more than just a policy announcement; it charts a clear path forward for low-altitude transportation:
First, it addresses the implementation of application scenarios, defining 12 key areas, including urban air mobility (UAM), emergency rescue, and logistics distribution. Pilot regions are also required to demonstrate replicable experience within three years. Second, at the planning level, provincial-level transportation departments are mandated, for the first time, to lead the development of dedicated low-altitude transportation plans, integrating airspace resources, infrastructure, and industrial development. Finally, regulatory oversight is addressed, implementing a joint "industry + local" regulatory model and establishing a cross-departmental data-sharing platform. This finally provides a top-level solution to the previously challenging challenges of airworthiness certification and airspace management.
This step signifies that low-altitude transportation is no longer a "small-scale experiment" but is becoming integrated into the national transportation network. This significantly increases demand certainty for material suppliers.
II. Industry Resonance: Why Composite Materials Are a Key Player
How high are the material requirements for low-altitude transportation equipment? Take eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles, for example. Composite materials can account for 60%-70% of their content, far exceeding the 30% found in traditional aircraft. After all, they need to be lightweight and energy-efficient, while also withstanding high-altitude corrosion and impact, which ordinary metals simply cannot withstand. Once policy dividends are released, composite materials companies have three clear entry points:
The first path: tackling bottlenecks in material technology.
High-end fibers, such as T1100-grade carbon fiber and aramid fiber, are the foundation. These form the "skeleton" of the aircraft's primary load-bearing structure. Zhongfu Shenying, for example, has now achieved 1,000-ton mass production of the T1100, at a cost 40% lower than imported products, directly breaking the foreign monopoly. Prepreg technology must also keep pace. Guangwei Composites' 3-minute fast-curing prepreg is already used in the fuselage of the EH216-S intelligent aircraft, significantly shortening the manufacturing cycle. Furthermore, functional modification is being pursued. Shanghai Jieshijie's graphene-modified carbon fiber boasts a 300% increase in conductivity, meeting specialized requirements such as electromagnetic shielding and stealth.
The second path: improving efficiency through process upgrades.
Demand for low-altitude equipment is rapidly growing, and traditional manual labor is unlikely to keep pace. Automated placement is one area of focus. AVIC High-Tech introduced the German DST automated wire placement machine, which has increased material utilization from 65% to 85%, enabling the single-shot molding of large components. 3D printing is also being utilized. The titanium alloy 3D-printed brackets produced by Polylite for Fengfei Aviation have reduced their weight by 60%. Furthermore, digital simulation is being explored. Ansemeria Asia Pacific has developed a low-altitude aircraft simulation platform that can cut airworthiness certification time in half, saving companies significant trial-and-error costs.
The third path: Building an ecosystem is the key to long-term success.
It's difficult for a single company to fully capture the entire supply chain, so collaboration is essential. For example, Zhongjian Technology and Wofei Changkong have jointly established the "Advanced Composite Materials Joint Laboratory," which conducts targeted research and development based on the materials needed by OEMs. Standard setting is also crucial. Hengshen Co., Ltd. has spearheaded the development of three group standards, giving it a voice in the industry. Furthermore, in the area of supply chain finance, Guangwei Composites and Ping An Leasing have partnered on a "materials + equipment" financing solution, alleviating financial pressures for downstream customers and resulting in a 200% increase in their own orders—a win-win situation.
III. A Hundred-Billion-Yuan Market by 2030: Three Growth Poles to Focus on
CCI Consulting optimistically predicts that by 2030, my country's low-altitude transportation market could reach 1.5 trillion yuan, with composite materials' output value likely exceeding 100 billion yuan. Specifically, demand will surge first in three areas:
Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
It is estimated that by 2027, the domestic eVTOL fleet will exceed 5,000, with an annual demand for 12,000 tons of carbon fiber alone. Companies can focus on three key areas: first, complete aircraft structural components, supplying fuselages and wings to complete aircraft manufacturers such as Ehang Intelligent and Volant; second, powertrains, producing lightweight components for motor housings and propellers to replace metal; and third, interior design, developing flame-retardant and noise-reducing honeycomb sandwich materials to enhance the passenger experience.
Logistics Drones
Companies such as SF Express and JD.com plan to deploy 100,000 logistics drones by 2025. These types of equipment require "low-cost, high-frequency" materials. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) is a suitable material for cargo boxes, costing 60% less than carbon fiber. Packaging materials must be green, and biodegradable bio-based composites are the trend. Ground infrastructure, such as drone hangars and charging stations, uses SMC molded composite materials, which are both durable and lightweight.
Emergency Rescue System
Policies require full coverage of the "30-minute emergency response circle" by 2025, leading to an increase in demand for specialty materials. For example, fireproof materials, such as phenolic resin-based composites with FAR 25.853 flame retardancy certification, are the mainstream. Aramid honeycomb sandwich materials are used for impact-resistant structures to improve helicopter crash resistance. Furthermore, driven by the need for military-civilian integration, radar-absorbing materials can meet stealth requirements.
IV. How can companies seize opportunities? "Three-Dimensional Competitiveness" is Essential
Facing such a large market, composite materials companies cannot simply focus on technology; they must simultaneously develop across the three dimensions of "technology + capital + ecosystem":
Technically, they must establish an integrated R&D system encompassing "materials - design - manufacturing." Instead of focusing solely on traditional composite materials, they must proactively develop cutting-edge technologies such as thermoplastic composites and nano-reinforcement. Capital-wise, relying solely on their own efforts will be too slow. Mergers and acquisitions and strategic investments offer shortcuts, such as Sinoma Technology's acquisition of Zhongfu Lianzhong, which integrated its wind turbine blade technology advantages with its aviation composite materials business, creating immediate synergies. Eco-wise, going it alone is not feasible. They must join the Low-Altitude Transportation Industry Alliance and collaborate with airspace management, communications, and navigation companies to build a digital twin platform. This will fully leverage the value of the entire supply chain, from material supply to equipment application.
Ultimately, the rise of low-altitude transportation has not only reshaped the traditional landscape of the aviation industry but also provided composite materials companies with a "second growth curve." Now that policies are in place, technology is mature, and capital is pouring into this field, whoever can first iterate the technology and build a good ecosystem will be able to seize the initiative in this three-dimensional transportation revolution and may even write a new growth story in the industry.