Aerospace industry sparks higher demand for graphite

The fast-developing local aerospace industry has given rise to growing demand for independently developed high-performance graphite - a major carbon material used in aerospace projects - according to a top executive at Harbin Electric Carbon Factory.

"China's space and military industry has higher demand for graphite products, especially for engines under extreme conditions," said Cui Mengyan, deputy director of the factory.

Harbin Electric Carbon Factory, a State-owned enterprise in Heilongjiang province that began operations in 1958, has been doing research into aerospace graphite and supplying the material for nearly all of China's milestone aerospace projects.