China's rubber machinery leaders map the way forward

QINGDAO, China—Mesnac Co. Ltd. has reported on the recent 2024 Member Assembly of the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) rubber machinery and mold branch, which included an industry development seminar.

With themes of innovation and sustainability, the event staged Oct. 25 in Qingdao attracted more than 150 industry experts and corporate representatives from the tire, rubber machinery, mold making and related sectors.

At the assembly, CRIA President Xu Wenying delivered a presentation on the current economic performance of the rubber and tire industry in China and the future outlook for the sector.

Xu's analysis highlighted a range of issues facing the industry, including "an overly large proportion of exports, frequent trade frictions, and severe homogenization competition."

Against this backdrop, she said, Chinese tire enterprises should pursue internationalization and sustainable development paths, address ESG issues and aim for "high-quality, orderly" development.

Meanwhile, she advised rubber machinery and mold companies to focus on non-tire equipment markets as well as on exporting to leading overseas tire companies.

On the technology front, Xu urged delegates to advance their capabilities in areas such as remote services, energy efficiency, customization, and intelligent manufacturing.

For assembly co-host Mesnac, Chairman and President Guan Bingzheng forecast that the next 10 years will still be a "strategic development period" for China's rubber machinery and mold industry.

"Product power based on value creation will increasingly become the core competitiveness of rubber machinery and mold enterprises," the Mesnac leader said.

He also highlighted the increasing need for localization service capabilities matching the global expansion of Chinese tire enterprises as well as the importance of sustainable development.