Key Material for Humanoid Robots: PEEK Polymer

Last month, Tesla released the latest video of its humanoid robot, Optimus-Gen2, showcasing advancements in its dexterous hands. Elon Musk plans to start small-scale production of Optimus in 2025 for internal Tesla use, with mass production expected in 2026 for sales to other customers. Lightweight construction is anticipated to become a core focus for humanoid robots in the future. Tesla's second-generation Optimus-Gen2 humanoid robot has reduced its weight by 10 kilograms without compromising performance, primarily thanks to a lightweight material: PEEK. This material is widely used in the joints, limbs, body, and skeletal framework of Tesla's humanoid robots. Its lightweight properties help reduce the overall robot weight, improving energy efficiency and flexibility, making it a key solution for lightweight humanoid robots.

1. Overview of the PEEK Material Industry

Common lightweight materials for robots include magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, carbon fiber composites, and engineering plastics. Against the backdrop of "replacing steel with plastics" and "lightweighting," PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a new high-performance polymer, has gradually replaced metals in mid-to-high-end applications due to its exceptional properties. As a top-tier specialty engineering plastic, PEEK offers high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties. It also has superior insulation and chemical resistance compared to ordinary metals. With a density about half that of aluminum alloys, PEEK enables lightweight construction while maintaining high strength and rigidity. Major application areas include aerospace, electronics, robotics, automotive, energy, and healthcare. While aerospace currently holds the largest market share, humanoid robots are expected to become one of the fastest-growing application areas.

2. PEEK Applications in Humanoid Robots

Based on publicly disclosed data, robots from Tesla, Ubtech, and Unitree average around 58 kilograms in weight. For each robot, approximately 1 kg of pure PEEK is used in gears and joints, and 8 kg of CF/PEEK (carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK) is used in limbs, with an estimated total PEEK consumption of 6.6 kg per robot.

Key Components of Humanoid Robots Using PEEK:

PEEK Gears: Utilized in joints and limbs, providing stable transmission and support.

PEEK Bearings: Found in joints and other positions, offering excellent wear resistance and self-lubrication to reduce friction and wear, enhancing the robot's lifespan.

PEEK Skeletons: Applied in the torso and limb framework, PEEK skeletons weigh 40% less than metal alternatives while maintaining sufficient strength and rigidity to meet load and flexibility requirements.

3. PEEK Material Supply Chain Analysis

PEEK is a type of synthetic resin. Its supply chain includes:

Upstream Raw Materials:

Key raw materials include fluoroketone (the most critical), hydroquinone, diphenyl sulfone, and sodium carbonate, with additives like carbon fiber, glass fiber, and PTFE.

Fluoroketone (DFBP): Accounts for over half of the raw material cost and is crucial to PEEK's synthesis, with a complex production process. Approximately 0.7–0.8 tons of fluoroketone monomer are required to produce 1 ton of PEEK. Globally, apart from limited production capacity in the UK and India, most fluoroketone production is concentrated in China. By 2025, China's total fluoroketone production capacity is expected to reach 13,700 tons.

Other Materials: Hydroquinone contributes around 15% to raw material costs, and sodium carbonate only 1%. Carbon fiber, glass fiber, and PTFE account for about 20% of the cost of PEEK composite products.

Midstream PEEK Production:

PEEK production has high barriers to entry due to complex manufacturing processes and technical expertise requirements. Strict protection of intellectual property and technology by global leaders like Victrex, Solvay, and Evonik creates significant challenges for new entrants. Currently, only four companies worldwide—Victrex (UK), Solvay (Belgium), Evonik (Germany), and China's Zhongyan Polymer Materials—have achieved thousand-ton production scales.

In China, domestic companies such as Zhongyan Polymer Materials, ARKPEEK, and Zhejiang Pengfulong have gradually developed their technologies, breaking international monopolies. Domestic PEEK prices are significantly lower than international levels, driving demand growth and export opportunities. Many Chinese PEEK products now meet international standards and boast cost advantages due to lower raw material and labor costs.

Downstream Applications:

Driven by growing demand in robotics, aerospace, automotive, and other sectors, PEEK usage is expanding towards high-end, specialized applications. Emerging fields like humanoid robots and low-altitude economies are expected to generate strong demand for PEEK materials, offering broad application potential in China.

PEEK's lightweight, high-performance properties, coupled with advances in domestic production capabilities, position it as a transformative material for future technologies, including humanoid robots.