Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd., located in Yizheng, Jiangsu Province, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinopec and one of China's leading enterprises with a fully integrated polyester industrial chain. Since commencing commercial operations in 1984, the company has established an integrated manufacturing platform extending from basic raw materials to high-performance thermoplastic elastomers, supported by its own 3 million TPA PTA production capacity and PBT polymerization facilities. It is also one of the earliest state-owned enterprises in China to achieve industrial-scale TPEE production with capacities exceeding ten thousand tons per year.
The company operates a National Engineering Research Center for Synthetic Fibers and possesses strong capabilities in polymer modification and copolymerization technologies. Utilizing its own high-purity PTA and PTMEG raw materials, Yizheng Chemical Fiber manufactures TPEE without relying on externally purchased intermediate polyester chips, providing significant advantages in production cost, product consistency, and supply reliability.
The company's current TPEE production capacity is 65,000 tons per year. In addition, it is advancing a technical upgrade project that will add another 40,000 tons per year of functional TPEE capacity, further strengthening its ability to supply high-performance specialty elastomers.
Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer (TPEE) is a block copolymer consisting of rigid polyester hard segments and flexible polyether soft segments, forming a microphase-separated structure. The material combines the resilience of rubber with the processing convenience and recyclability of engineering plastics, and is widely recognized as a third-generation high-performance thermoplastic elastomer.
Its key performance characteristics include:
For many years, China's high-end TPEE market was dominated by international suppliers. Yizheng Chemical Fiber initiated independent TPEE research and development in 2011, overcoming key technical challenges including multicomponent copolymer molecular chain control and continuous polycondensation process technology.
In 2015, the company successfully commissioned China's first industrial-scale TPEE production line with an annual capacity exceeding 10,000 tons, marking a major milestone in domestic substitution. To date, the company has applied for more than 20 related patents, and its R&D team has been recognized as an Outstanding Innovation Team by Sinopec.
Currently, Yizheng Chemical Fiber has commercialized 14 standardized TPEE grades covering five major application categories, including general injection molding, cable extrusion, rail transportation, waterproof breathable films, and halogen-free flame-retardant materials. Representative grades include TX280A, TX359A, TX409A, TX455, TR550H, and TM365, with hardness ranging from 25D to 82D to satisfy diverse mechanical performance requirements.
This specialized material is designed for railway vibration isolation pads, offering excellent vibration damping, noise reduction, fatigue resistance, and long-term durability. Related projects received the Second Prize of the 2024 Jiangsu Science and Technology Achievement Transformation Award. The material has successfully replaced imported railway elastomers and is now widely used in vibration isolation components for both China's high-speed and conventional railway infrastructure. Used pads can also be recycled and reprocessed.
TM365 is a dedicated film-grade TPEE developed for non-porous waterproof breathable membranes. The material delivers a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 100,000 g/m²/day according to Japanese testing standards while providing excellent hydrostatic pressure resistance, antistatic performance, UV resistance, and resistance to phenolic yellowing.
It maintains stable mechanical properties from -40°C to 120°C and is suitable for medical protective films, outdoor apparel, tents, and waterproof sealing layers for wearable electronic devices. Because it shares the same polyester base material as polyester fabrics, it can be recycled together with textile products, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional microporous PE membranes.
TR550H addresses the long-standing challenge of balancing flame retardancy with mechanical performance. The material achieves the UL94 V-0 flame-retardant classification while producing low smoke and low toxicity during combustion and rapidly self-extinguishing when exposed to fire.
Unlike many conventional flame-retardant elastomers, TR550H maintains the original elasticity and toughness of TPEE, making it suitable for battery cushioning components in new energy vehicles, premium cable systems, and electrical protection components for rail transportation. The material has already secured stable repeat commercial orders on a multi-ton scale.
TX455 offers excellent heat resistance and low stress relaxation, making it suitable for automotive corrugated tubing, electric tool seals, optical fiber sheathing, outdoor cable protection, and sports equipment components.
Compared with TPU materials, TX455 provides superior heat resistance and fatigue performance and has been supplied in volume to leading manufacturers within China's automotive and electronics industries.
Self-Sufficient Raw Materials
Supported by the company's own 3 million TPA PTA facility and integrated PBT polymerization production lines, all TPEE products are manufactured using internally produced high-purity raw materials. This eliminates external procurement and transportation of intermediate materials while improving batch consistency. Melt Flow Index variation is controlled within ±0.3 g/10 min, reaching the performance level of internationally recognized products.
Comprehensive Product Customization
The company offers complete product solutions covering general-purpose grades, film grades, flame-retardant materials, and rail transportation applications. Material hardness, heat resistance, flame retardancy, moisture permeability, and weather resistance can all be customized according to customer requirements.
Green Manufacturing and Circular Economy
All TPEE grades are fully recyclable through thermoplastic processing. Manufacturing operations utilize waste heat recovery and water recycling systems to reduce overall energy consumption. Halogen-free flame-retardant and environmentally friendly film grades contain no hazardous substances and comply with European REACH regulations as well as environmental standards for food-contact and medical protective applications.
Reliable Large-Scale Production Capacity
With an existing annual production capacity of 65,000 tons and an additional 40,000-ton functional TPEE expansion project under construction, Yizheng Chemical Fiber ranks among China's leading state-owned TPEE manufacturers and is capable of supporting stable large-volume domestic and international orders.
Transportation
High-speed railway vibration isolation pads, automotive corrugated tubing, vibration damping components, and sealing and protection systems for new energy vehicle batteries.
Electrical and Cable Industries
High-performance flexible cables, optical fiber sheathing, electric tool sealing components, and waterproof membranes for wearable electronic devices.
Outdoor and Textile Applications
Waterproof breathable membranes for outdoor apparel, tents, sporting equipment, and durable outdoor accessories.
Medical Protection
Medical barrier films and elastic composite materials for healthcare mattress applications.
Engineering Plastic Modification
Impact-modification masterbatches for PBT and polyester engineering plastics to improve impact resistance and overall mechanical performance.
Leveraging its fully integrated polyester industrial chain and proprietary polymerization technologies, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber has successfully established a comprehensive domestic TPEE product portfolio, significantly reducing reliance on imported high-performance elastomer materials.
From general engineering elastomers to advanced flame-retardant materials and specialty film-grade products, the company's TPEE solutions serve a wide range of high-value industries, including transportation, new energy, healthcare, and outdoor applications.
Its integrated raw material supply model delivers consistent product quality, cost competitiveness, and reliable long-term supply, providing strong support for the continued development of China's high-performance elastomer industry and the transition toward sustainable, circular material solutions.
