In the past 24 months, a subtle but irreversible shift has occurred in the global procurement of different types of gland packing for high-temperature, high-pressure, and fugitive-emission-critical valves. Contrary to the widespread assumption that “all graphite packing is the same” or “PTFE packing is being phased out”, actual purchase orders and warehouse consumption data from refineries, power plants, and chemical complexes worldwide reveal that traditional flexible graphite packing and high-purity PTFE braided packing — when produced with upgraded, stable formulations — now dominate more than 67 % of all new critical-service replacements in plants that have extended turnaround cycles to 6–8 years. The market is no longer choosing between mechanical seals and gland packing, nor between “old” and “new” materials. Instead, the real selection pressure has moved inside the category of different types of gland packing itself: only batches that consistently deliver verified long-term performance and full original third-party documentation are being reordered
Four Fastest-Growing Types of Traditional Braided Packing in Critical Service
| NO. | Packing Type | 2023–2025 Consumption Growth | Main operating conditions | Lifespan extension |
| 1 | High-purity flexible graphite packing (with trace oxidation inhibitor + Inconel wire) | +380% | 550℃+ Cracking furnace valve, coking switching valve, FCC main fractionation tower valve | 3.8-5.5x |
| 2 | Pure PTFE fiber braided packing (food-grade, high-density, anti-cold-flow formulation) | +340% | Chlor-alkali, caustic soda, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power secondary circuit, hydrogen valves | 2.5-3.6x |
| 3 | PTFE-impregnated graphite packing (upgraded GFO-style, consistent batch colour) | +315% | General-purpose high-temperature pumps and valves for oil refineries, delayed coking valves, and boiler feedwater pumps | 3.2-4.7x |
| 4 |
High-density flexible graphite packing (with anti-extrusion end rings, stable batch density) |
+290% | Power plant main steam valve, black liquor valve, residual oil valve | 4.0-5.8x |
From 2025 to 2027, as turnaround cycles in the global refining, power generation, and chemical industries extend to 6–8 years and requirements for valve fugitive emissions and long-term reliability continue to tighten, the stable supply of different types of gland packing that offer proven batch consistency and full original third-party certification has become a critical constraining factor for the safe, compliant operation of key installations.
