New fluorine-containing materials: Excellent performance, driving transformation in high-end manufacturing and new energy industries

Fluorine-containing new materials refer to a class of high-performance polymers formed by fully or partially replacing hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in organic polymer compounds with fluorine atoms. Fluorine atoms, due to their strong electronegativity, small atomic radius, and high bond energy, impart unique chemical stability and physical properties to these materials, including excellent high-temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, aging resistance, low surface energy, low friction coefficient, high insulation, and excellent anti-stick and flame retardancy. These properties make fluorine-containing new materials play an irreplaceable role in numerous high-tech fields, including aerospace, new energy, electronics and information technology, high-end equipment, environmental protection technology, and medical devices.

The development of fluorinated materials began in the mid-20th century. In 1948, DuPont in the United States first synthesized poly-2-fluoro-1,3-butadiene, but its commercialization was delayed due to performance and cost issues that fell short of expectations. It wasn't until the late 1950s, when Thiokol in the United States developed fluorinated rubber resistant to strong oxidants, that this type of material officially entered the industrial application stage. Since the 1960s, my country has also developed several types of fluorinated rubber, including Type 23, Type 26, and Type 246, and gradually expanded to include tetrafluoroethylene rubber and perfluoroether rubber. Initially, these products were primarily intended to meet the needs of national defense and military industries, but were later gradually introduced to civilian applications.

At the policy level, new fluorine-containing materials are considered a key development area by many countries due to their strategic importance. Governments at all levels in my country have also actively introduced supportive measures to promote the transformation of the fluorine chemical industry towards high value-added and refined production. Fluorine chemical products, with their diverse range and wide applications, have become a vital component of China's new materials industry. The industry continues to expand, and by 2024, the market size of China's fluorine chemical products is expected to approach 100 billion yuan, with market demand remaining strong.

From an industrial chain perspective, the upstream supply chain of new fluorine-containing materials primarily relies on fluorspar resources, which are processed into basic chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid, which are then further synthesized into various fluorine-containing polymers. China boasts abundant fluorspar reserves, with production reaching approximately 6.7 million tons in 2024, accounting for approximately 70% of the global total, providing a solid raw material base for the fluorine materials industry. The midstream supply chain primarily encompasses the synthesis and modification of fluorine-containing polymer materials, while the downstream supply chain encompasses a number of strategic emerging industries, including lithium batteries, photovoltaics, hydrogen energy, communications, and military applications.

In the lithium battery field, fluorine-containing materials are widely used in electrolytes, separators, and binders. The traditional electrolyte, lithium hexafluorophosphate, is widely used due to its excellent overall performance, but the industry currently faces overcapacity. The new generation lithium salt, lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), is emerging as an alternative due to its higher conductivity, thermal stability, and safety. Domestic LiFSI shipments are expected to increase by over 100% year-on-year in 2024, demonstrating significant market potential. Furthermore, PVDF, a key material for positive electrode binders, is also widely used due to its excellent electrochemical stability and film-forming properties.

In the photovoltaic industry, fluorine-containing materials are primarily used in solar cell backsheet films. Common types include PVDF, PVF, and ETFE. Their exceptional resistance to weathering, UV rays, and chemical corrosion effectively extends module life. PVDF, due to its higher fluorine content, improved barrier properties, and mechanical strength, has become a popular choice, particularly for harsh environments.

The development of the hydrogen energy sector relies heavily on perfluorosulfonic acid proton exchange membranes, a core component of fuel cells that directly impacts power generation efficiency and lifespan. Perfluorosulfonic acid resin, a key material for membrane production, has a very high technical barrier to entry, and the current level of domestic production remains low, with primary reliance on imports. This has become a key area where my country's hydrogen energy industry urgently needs to make breakthroughs.

Looking ahead, the global fluorine-containing new materials industry is experiencing rapid growth. With the continued expansion of downstream markets such as new energy, new energy vehicles, semiconductors, and 5G communications, demand for high-performance fluorine materials will continue to grow. Simultaneously, technological iteration and process optimization will further enhance material performance and reduce costs, enabling breakthroughs in a wider range of applications. While maintaining its fluorite resource advantages, my country must strengthen core technology research and development, improve its industrial chain layout, and increase the localization rate of high-value-added products, aiming to gain a more advantageous position in the global fluorine materials industry.