Metastar

What Metastar does

Yantai Metastar Special Paper Co., LTD. (Metastar), founded in 2009 and headquartered in Yantai, Shandong Province, China, is a specialty materials manufacturer specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of aramid paper (polyarylamide fiber paper) and its derivative products. The company broke a 40+ year global monopoly on aramid paper production by foreign manufacturers, becoming the second country globally and the first in China to industrialize this high-performance composite material. Listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange (stock code 920394) since April 2023, Metastar operates a 3,000-ton annual production capacity and serves more than 200 customers across over 50 countries in electrical insulation, aerospace and defense, rail transit, new energy, and electronic communication sectors.

Metastar's product portfolio is organized into two primary series: the YT500 series meta aramid paper for electrical insulation applications (transformers, motors, reactors, cable insulation) and the YT800 series including para aramid paper and honeycomb-grade materials for aerospace and rail transit structural components. Additional products include aramid paperboard, aramid mica paper, and aramid crepe paper. The company holds proprietary intellectual property on core aramid paper preparation technology, including ultra-low concentration wet molding and high-temperature hot pressing processes, aramid sedimentation fiber production, and carbon fiber paper technology (Patent ZL201310428212.5). It maintains certifications including ISO 9001, AS9100 (aerospace), IATF 16949 (automotive), and UL, alongside designations as a National Manufacturing Single Champion Enterprise and National Specialized 'Little Giant' Enterprise.

The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales with a comprehensive sales network radiating across China's domestic market and overseas marketing channels covering Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Distribution combines direct key account relationships with dealer and distributor networks. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of aramid paper and derivative products, with applications spanning transformer insulation (primary segment), aircraft honeycomb components, high-speed rail structural materials, lithium battery separators, and electronic communications. Chairman Sun Maojian, a recognized pioneer in Chinese aramid materials research, leads the company alongside a subsidiary (Yantai Minshida Advanced Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) targeting new energy vehicle motor composite materials as an adjacent growth vertical.

Name

Metastar

Legal name

Yantai Metastar Special Paper Co., LTD.

Website

https://en.metastar.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Yantai Metastar Special Paper Co., Ltd. is China's largest aramid paper manufacturer, producing high-performance insulating and structural materials for electrical, aerospace, rail transit, and new energy applications, serving 200+ customers across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High-performance specialty paper manufacturing

NAICS

Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills (3221), Paper Mills (32212), Paperboard Mills (32213), Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (32229)

SIC

Papers & Allied Products (2600), Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670), Paperboard Mills (2631)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Technical Paper Manufacturing (Electrical, Abrasive Backing, Medical/Pharma) (IMAMAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty Paper Manufacturing (Coated, Release, Thermal, Filter, Security) (IMAMAEAC)

Keywords

• Aramid paper manufacturing
• Specialty industrial paper
• Electrical insulation materials
• Honeycomb core materials
• High-performance composites

Headquarters

HQ city

Yantai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aramid Paper and Derivative Products Sales: Manufacturing and sales of aramid paper and its derivative products including meta aramid paper (YT500 series) and para aramid paper (YT800 series), aramid paperboard, aramid mica paper, and aramid crepe paper

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Yantai Metastar Special Paper Co., Ltd. researches, develops, manufactures, and sells aramid paper and derivative products under the Metastar brand, including meta aramid paper (YT500 series), para aramid paper (YT800 series), aramid paperboard, aramid mica paper, and aramid crepe paper. The products are sold to enterprise customers worldwide for electrical insulation (transformers, motors, reactors, coils, cables), aerospace and defense honeycomb structures, and rail transit interiors and structural components.

Product overview

Metastar is a specialty paper company specializing in R&D, production and sales of aramid paper and its derivative products. The company produces the Metastar brand aramid paper, which is a high-performance composite material made of pure aramid fiber with characteristics including high strength, low deformation, high temperature resistance, chemical resistance, radiation resistance, flame retardancy, and excellent electrical insulation. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: YT500 series aramid paper for electrical insulation applications (including YT510, YT516, YT564, YT56, YT511 for transformers, motors, and electrical equipment insulation) and YT800 series aramid paper for honeycomb core materials (including YT822, YT822A, YT836 for aerospace, rail transit, and structural components). Additional products include YT592/YT593/YT594 aramid paperboard for industrial applications, YT518/YT568 aramid mica paper for enhanced thermal and electrical performance, and aramid crepe paper for wire wrapping applications. The products serve key sectors including electric power, aerospace, railway, new energy, and electronic communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• METASTAR: Aramid paper brand producing products with four characteristics: safe, reliable, green and friendly
• Minshida

Products and services

• Metastar YT510 Meta Aramid Paper Calendered meta aramid paper with thickness ranging from 0.05mm to 0.76mm, featuring high dielectric strength, high mechanical strength, strong overload resistance, and non-toxic environmentally friendly properties compliant with ROHS and REACH. Sold to electrical equipment manufacturers for transformer insulation, motor winding insulation, and related electrical insulation applications.
• Metastar YT516 Meta Aramid Paper Calendered meta aramid paper with high dielectric and mechanical strength and a smooth surface that supports good adhesive and printing effects, featuring low halogen content and ROHS/REACH compliance. Sold to electronic and electrical product manufacturers requiring safe insulating paper.
• Metastar YT564 Meta Aramid Paper Calendered meta aramid paper with slightly lower density than YT510 and YT516, featuring good mechanical and dielectric strength. Can be compounded with polyester film and polyimide film to produce F grade and H grade soft composite materials YMY and YHY. Sold to electrical insulation manufacturers.
• Metastar YT56 Meta Aramid Paper Semi-calendered meta aramid paper with density of 0.65 to 0.74 g/cc and performance between YT510 and YT511. Sold for transformer interlayer insulation, hand wound motor phase insulation, electrical insulation, and thermal barrier applications.
• Metastar YT511 Meta Aramid Paper Uncalendered meta aramid paper with low density, strong impregnation and saturation ability, and good resin curing effect. Sold to manufacturers producing epoxy cast insulation, used for motor phase insulation and transformer coil end insulation.
• Metastar YT822A Meta Aramid Paper Aviation grade honeycomb paper with excellent mechanical properties, higher tensile strength, tear resistance, and low deformation. Honeycomb cores produced from it are 50% lighter than aluminum with specific strength 9 times that of steel. Operates in a -80°C to 200°C temperature range with excellent radiation stability. Sold to aircraft manufacturers and aerospace structural component builders.
• Metastar YT822 Meta Aramid Paper Industrial grade honeycomb material with high mechanical strength, good heat resistance, good stiffness, and easy combination with resin. Sold to rail transit and motor vehicle manufacturers for structural components and interior materials such as floors, side walls, ceilings, luggage racks, roof panels, wall panels, and cabinet mezzanines.
• Metastar YT836 Para Aramid Paper Para aramid paper with superior heat resistance and thermal stability compared to meta aramid paper, plus higher mechanical strength. Sold for high-frequency circuit board substrates, lithium battery separators, and large rigid structural components of aircraft, trains, and ships.
• Metastar YT592/YT593/YT594 Aramid Paperboard Low, medium, and high density aramid paperboard made from 100% aramid fiber, with heat resistance, chemical stability, electrical and mechanical strength, good saturation, and rigidity. Sold for V-rings, corner rings, transformer external insulation, gap gaskets, and rolled sleeves.
• Metastar YT518/YT568 Aramid Mica Paper Calendered aramid paper containing 50% mica particles with excellent thermal stability and electrical strength, designed to prevent premature failure under partial discharge, extreme high temperature, and electrical stress. YT518 is used alone; YT568 is composited with thin films to improve voltage resistance and fire resistance. Sold to electrical equipment manufacturers.
• Aramid Crepe Paper and Aramid Crepe Paper Tubes Aramid crepe paper available in various sizes and thicknesses, sold for wrapping wire or further processed into aramid crepe paper tubes. Targeted at electrical and high-temperature insulation customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Net profit growth rate of more than 35% for four consecutive years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Domestic universitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetastar has established joint research and development institutions with many domestic universities for collaborative R&D in aramid materials technology
• Scientific research institutescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetastar collaborates with various scientific research institutes for joint development of aramid paper technology and applications
• Shandong Province Department of Science and TechnologycoreOthersThe provincial department issues high-tech enterprise certificates and oversees science and technology programs that Metastar participates in
• Shandong Provincial Department of FinancecoreOthersJointly issued high-tech enterprise certificate with tax preferential policies for Metastar
• Shandong Provincial State Taxation Bureau and Local Taxation BureaucoreOthersCo-issued high-tech enterprise certificate enabling Metastar to enjoy 15% corporate income tax rate

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Toyobo: Toyobo is a Japanese specialty paper and high-performance materials manufacturer with aramid paper offerings serving electrical and industrial insulation markets. Comparable as a specialty paper producer targeting similar high-end industrial customers.
• Teijin: Teijin produces Teijinconex meta-aramid paper and Twaron para-aramid products, making it the closest international direct peer to Metastar. Both serve electrical insulation, aerospace honeycomb, and rail transit end-markets with analogous aramid paper product lines.
• Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials: Yantai Tayho is a major Chinese aramid fiber producer (same city as Metastar) and the upstream backbone of China's aramid value chain. Tayho competes in adjacent aramid material categories and is a key domestic peer in the broader Chinese aramid ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• DuPont: DuPont is the global leader in aramid paper through its Nomex brand, the incumbent Metastar displaced in China. Directly comparable in product category (meta-aramid paper for electrical insulation) and end-markets, but operates as a diversified specialty materials giant rather than a focused aramid paper pure-play.
• 3M: 3M is a diversified industrial and specialty materials conglomerate with electrical insulation, industrial tapes, and high-performance composite adjacencies. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving many of the same downstream electrical, aerospace, and industrial customers with overlapping material solutions.
• Solvay: Solvay is a global specialty chemicals and advanced materials company with a portfolio spanning high-performance polymers, composites, and aramid-related chemistries. Adjacent incumbent supplying comparable high-temperature, high-strength material solutions to electrical, aerospace, and industrial customers.

Others

• China Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre: Sinopec Yizheng is a major Chinese producer of high-performance fibers including aramid-related chemistries, representing the upstream/adjacent side of the aramid value chain. Relevant as a domestic Chinese counterparty in aramid raw material supply and specialty fiber production.

Emerging players

• Kermel: Kermel is a French manufacturer of meta-aramid fibers and paper for protective and electrical insulation applications. Comparable as a niche European aramid paper specialist serving similar fire-resistant and electrical insulation use cases.
• Hyosung TNC: Hyosung TNC is a Korean producer of aramid fibers (and other performance fibers) with growing exposure to aramid paper value chain applications. Relevant as an Asia-based aramid player targeting industrial and defense end-uses comparable to Metastar.
• Hexcel: Hexcel is a global leader in advanced composites for aerospace and industrial markets, including honeycomb core materials. Comparable in the downstream aerospace/rail honeycomb application where Metastar's YT822-series aramid paper is consumed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metastar