Weihai company drives China's high-end manufacturing with smart carbon fiber

The Air White Whale W5000, the world's largest cargo drone, made a striking debut at the 15th Zhuhai Airshow, captivating audiences with its size and technological sophistication. Its key structural material, a high-strength carbon fiber composite, was developed by Weihai Baowei New Material, a Weihai-based enterprise pushing the boundaries of China's advanced materials sector.

Behind this aerospace milestone is the world's first AI-driven "dark factory" for carbon fiber composites. Inside Baowei's fully digitalized production lines, artificial intelligence oversees every stage — from design and testing to precision manufacturing — ensuring unmatched efficiency and product consistency.

Technicians at work inside Weihai Baowei New Material's factory. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Founded with a vision to challenge global monopolies in high-performance materials, Baowei has made steady strides in technological self-reliance. The company now holds 43 authorized invention patents, operates three provincial-level R&D centers, and maintains an annual R&D investment intensity exceeding 10 percent. Its pioneering has won the national-level recognition of a "little giant" specialized enterprise and 5G smart factory, marking Baowei as a national leader in advanced material innovation.

Today, the company is joining hands with leading research institutions across the country to expand carbon fiber applications in satellite remote sensing components and other aerospace fields, opening new frontiers for China's presence in advanced manufacturing.

Baowei's rise also reflects the supportive industrial ecosystem of the city, where tailored services for operations, R&D, and talent recruitment foster enterprise growth. By combining cutting-edge technology with strong local backing, Baowei is helping define the future of intelligent manufacturing in Weihai and beyond. (Edited by Hu Kaili)