With the rapid expansion of the global petrochemical industry, the demand for advanced granulators in China's domestic market has surged significantly. Recently, Dalian Rubber Plastics Machinery Co., Ltd. announced that a large-scale domestic plastic granulator will be launched at its new facility this May. However, despite these developments, high-end molding machines for large-scale plastic production remain scarce in China, with imported equipment still dominating the market.
Plastic granulators are complex systems that integrate mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation technologies, offering high automation levels. They play a crucial role in large ethylene projects. At a recent meeting of LCM China users in Japan, experts from Kobe Steel highlighted that as petrochemical plants grow in scale, so does the demand for larger granulators, with increased expectations for stability, energy efficiency, and reduced consumption.
Historically, China attempted to develop 70,000-ton-per-year plastic pelletizers through international collaborations, but none succeeded. Today, large-scale units require a minimum capacity of 50 tons per hour, equivalent to 300,000 to 400,000 tons annually—challenging to design and manufacture. Currently, only a few companies, such as Kobe Steel, Japan Steel, and Farrell, have mastered the technology for these systems.
Compared to foreign counterparts, China’s plastic granulator manufacturing technology lags behind. Although domestic companies have made progress in designing and absorbing large-scale granulator technology, these advancements have not yet translated into commercial applications. Extrusion granulators for large and medium polyolefin systems are still largely imported.
Experts emphasize that future R&D should focus on large-scale, sophisticated, and advanced control technologies. Over the past decade, China’s plastics machinery industry has experienced rapid growth, reflected in both imports and exports. This growth indicates not only an increase in production but also significant improvements in quality and technological capability.
China is now a major manufacturer and consumer of plastics machinery, though it is not yet a global leader. With around 400 manufacturers, most are located in the economically developed coastal regions like the Pearl River and Yangtze River Deltas. In areas such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Hainan, there are no local producers.
This gap is partly due to weak foundational capabilities in precision equipment, which still requires imports. Despite growing market demand, imports still account for about 50% of the total market. Large-scale granulation units, precision injection molding machines, and specialized equipment for various industries remain heavily reliant on foreign suppliers.
While some advanced technologies, such as precision injection molding and large-scale granulation units, are still beyond domestic reach, many locally produced machines are of comparable quality and performance. To address this, the industry must continue to invest in innovation and management improvements. Chinese manufacturers are actively striving to meet international standards and compete globally.
According to industry data, China's plastics machinery sector ranks among the top 190 industries in the broader machinery sector. The country's annual production capacity is approximately 200,000 sets, leading the world. In Ningbo alone, over 100 injection molding machine manufacturers operate, with brands like Haitian exporting to more than 30 countries, including developed markets, generating around $200 million annually.
The plastics industry in China is still in a high-growth phase. By 2010, it was expected that the output of plastic machinery would reach 500,000 units. While general-purpose machines face overcapacity, companies undergoing technological upgrades are investing in more efficient and precise equipment to enhance innovation and product development.
In short, while China has made great strides, the path to becoming a true leader in plastics machinery requires continued effort, investment, and innovation. Without mastering key technologies, breaking through remains a challenge.
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