26 May 2026
PAN: the shared chokepoint linking carbon fibre and mineral processing
Key insights from this briefing
How does PAN connect carbon fibre and critical mineral processing?
Polyacrylonitrile, or PAN, is the main precursor for most carbon fibre and is also used in ultrafiltration membranes for industrial water treatment. That creates a shared upstream dependency between advanced composite manufacturing and some mineral-processing water circuits.
Why could a disruption in PAN supply affect more than one strategic industry?
A shortage or cost increase in PAN could raise carbon fibre costs while also affecting membrane availability for industrial filtration. Because both supply chains depend on the same petrochemical-derived polymer, risks that appear unrelated can be physically connected upstream.
Excerpt from this briefing's Industry Insight
Polyacrylonitrile, or PAN, creates a supply-chain link between two industries that are rarely analysed together. It is the dominant precursor for carbon fibre used in aircraft and other advanced structures, and PAN is also used in some ultrafiltration membranes for industrial and mineral-processing water circuits. Because precursor costs are tied to petrochemical markets, a disruption in PAN availability can affect advanced composites and selected filtration systems. The same molecule can therefore connect aerospace-material risk with parts of the critical-mineral processing supply chain.
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