With the rapid expansion of the global petrochemical industry, demand for advanced granulators has surged within China's domestic market. Recently, Dalian Rubber Plastics Machinery Co., Ltd. announced that a large-scale domestic plastic granulator will be launched in its new facility this May. However, despite these developments, high-end molding machines for large-scale plastic production remain scarce domestically, with imported equipment still holding a dominant position.
Plastic granulators, for example, are complex systems integrating mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation technologies, offering high levels of automation. They play a crucial role in large ethylene projects. At a recent meeting of LCM China users in Japan, experts highlighted that the growing scale of petrochemical plants has increased the demand for more efficient and energy-saving granulation units, with higher expectations for stability and performance.
Historically, China attempted to develop 70,000-ton-per-year plastic pelletizers through foreign collaborations, but none succeeded. Today, large-scale granulation units require a minimum of 50 tons per hour, equivalent to 300,000–400,000 tons annually, making them extremely challenging to design and manufacture. Currently, only a few companies—such as Kobe Steel, Japan Steel, and Farrell—possess the full capabilities for designing, manufacturing, installing, and commissioning such systems.
Compared to foreign counterparts, China’s plastic granulator technology lags behind. While domestic firms have made progress by absorbing foreign technology and completing design drafts for polypropylene blending and extrusion units, these advancements have not yet translated into practical applications. The design and manufacturing standards for extrusion granulators still fall short, with many large and medium-sized polyolefin systems relying on imported equipment.
Experts emphasize that future R&D efforts 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 indicates not only a significant increase in production but also improved quality and technological capabilities.
China is now a major manufacturer and consumer of plastics machinery, but it is not yet a true leader in the field. There are approximately 400 manufacturers, mostly located in coastal regions like the Pearl River and Yangtze River Deltas. In areas such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Hainan, no local producers exist. This uneven distribution highlights the challenges in building a nationwide industrial base.
The foundation of China’s plastics machinery sector remains relatively weak, with high-precision equipment still largely imported. Despite market growth, imports still account for about 50% of the total market. Large-scale granulation units, precision injection molding machines, and specialized equipment for automotive, medical, and packaging industries continue to rely heavily on foreign suppliers.
While there is a clear gap in certain advanced technologies, domestic products are often comparable in quality and performance to imported ones. To bridge this gap, the industry must enhance innovation and management practices. Many Chinese manufacturers are striving to meet international standards and compete globally.
In terms of development speed and economic indicators, the plastics machinery industry ranks among the top 190 sectors in the broader machinery industry. China’s annual production capacity is around 200,000 sets, the highest in the world. In Ningbo alone, over 100 injection molding machine manufacturers operate, with brands like Haitian exporting to more than 30 countries, generating around $200 million annually.
According to statistics, China’s plastics industry is still in a phase of high growth. It is estimated that by 2010, the output of plastic machinery could reach 500,000 units. While general-purpose plastic machinery faces overcapacity, companies undergoing technological upgrades are investing in more efficient and precise equipment to boost innovation and product development.
Without strong foundational capabilities, it is difficult to achieve breakthroughs. For the plastics industry to truly “break†through, there is still much work to be done.
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