With the rapid growth of power batteries and energy storage systems, the lithium-ion battery separator industry has entered a new phase of recovery and capacity expansion. In the first half of 2026, major separator manufacturers achieved significant improvements in profitability, reflecting renewed market confidence and increasing demand for high-performance production materials.
According to industry reports, Enjet Co., Ltd. returned to profitability in the first half of 2026, while Sinoma Science & Technology’s separator business recorded significant year-on-year profit growth. As a stable supplier of ABS core tubes for leading separator manufacturers including Enjet and Sinoma, JSHKCORES has directly experienced the increasing requirements for production capacity, precision control, and material reliability.
Against this background, ABS core tubes are gradually replacing traditional paper tubes as the preferred winding support solution for lithium-ion battery separator production.
1. Traditional Paper Tubes Face Increasing Production Challenges
Lithium-ion battery separators are typically only around 20 micrometres thick, with some advanced products moving toward even thinner structures. These ultra-thin films require extremely high standards for dimensional accuracy, surface cleanliness, and structural stability during the winding process.
Under high-speed winding and high-tension operating conditions, traditional industrial paper tubes are increasingly unable to meet the requirements of modern separator manufacturing.
Main Challenges of Traditional Paper Tubes
- Moisture Sensitivity: Paper materials easily absorb moisture, resulting in dimensional changes, deformation, and reduced stability during storage and production.
- Insufficient Rigidity: Under continuous high-tension winding conditions, paper tubes may experience compression deformation or core collapse, affecting production consistency.
- Surface Defects: Burrs and uneven surfaces may cause separator scratches, wrinkles, and material losses during winding and processing.
- Limited Precision Control: Traditional paper tubes are difficult to maintain stable dimensional tolerances in high-speed automated production lines.
2. ABS Core Tubes Provide Higher Performance for Separator Manufacturing
Compared with traditional paper tubes, ABS core tubes provide improved mechanical performance, dimensional stability, and production reliability. These advantages make them increasingly suitable for advanced lithium battery separator applications.
High Rigidity and Stability
ABS materials provide excellent mechanical strength, allowing core tubes to maintain structural stability during high-speed winding and reduce deformation risks.
High Dimensional Accuracy
Precision manufacturing ensures consistent outer diameter, wall thickness, and straightness, improving winding uniformity and reducing production fluctuations.
Excellent Surface Quality
The smooth and clean surface minimizes the possibility of scratches, contamination, and defects during separator handling.
Better Environmental Resistance
ABS core tubes provide better moisture resistance and long-term stability compared with traditional paper materials.
3. Precision Data Demonstrates the Upgrade Value
The performance improvement of ABS core tubes is supported by measurable production data. According to market evaluation data from the first quarter of 2026, JSHKCORES 6-inch ABS core tubes achieve strict precision standards for separator winding applications.
| Item | Performance |
|---|---|
| Outer Circular Ellipticity | ≤0.3 mm |
| Wall Thickness Tolerance | ±0.2 mm |
| Straightness | 0.15 mm/m |
These precision standards effectively reduce radial runout, axial misalignment, and deformation risks during high-speed operation, helping manufacturers improve winding consistency and reduce separator defects.
4. Real Application Results Confirm Market Acceptance
The replacement effect of ABS core tubes has been verified through practical production applications. According to customer application feedback collected between late 2025 and early 2026, a leading lithium-ion battery separator manufacturer achieved significant improvements after replacing traditional core tubes with ABS core tubes across multiple production lines.
- Film breakage rate reduction: High-speed coating line film breakage decreased by approximately 15%.
- Improved winding quality: Roll appearance and material consistency were significantly improved.
- Reduced processing waste: Material losses during subsequent slitting processes were reduced.
In addition, variable-diameter high-precision reels developed by Jiangsu Hongkai Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. for separator winding applications have helped solve industry challenges including separator edge collapse and uneven roll cross-sections.
5. ABS Core Tubes Are Becoming a Standard Requirement
As lithium-ion separators continue developing toward ultra-thin designs, high-performance ceramic coatings, and multi-layer composite structures, the requirements for winding components will continue to increase.
Future Requirements for Separator Core Tubes
- Higher dimensional precision
- Improved cleanliness control
- Stronger mechanical stability
- Customized structural solutions
The transition from paper tubes to ABS core tubes is not simply a material replacement, but a comprehensive upgrade in separator manufacturing technology.
ABS core tubes are evolving from an optional alternative into a standard production requirement for high-end lithium battery separator applications.
