<p>Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the potential methods to solve the future fossil energy crisis. As a key component of PEMFCs, bipolar plates not only play complex roles in PEMFCs, but are also an important component of the cost of PEMFCs. Graphite resin composite bipolar plates (CBPs) have the advantages of simple processing and low cost, and are one of the candidate materials for the industrialization of bipolar plate materials. However, CBPs are still faced with problems such as difficult balance between conductive and mechanical properties, and poor dimensional accuracy. In view of the above challenges, this paper summarizes the performance improvement strategies of CBPs in recent years from three aspects of filler, process and structure, which provides guidance for the future development of CBPs and the further performance improvement and practical process.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>