Analysis of the current situation and existing problems in China's industrial ceramics industry
Release time:
2022-03-04
(1) Severe environmental pollution, high energy consumption, and excessive exploitation of clay resources
The ceramics industry itself is a high energy-consuming and highly polluting industry. The production process consumes a large amount of mineral resources and energy, and the resulting waste gas, wastewater, waste residue, and dust cause serious environmental pollution. In some areas with a high concentration of ceramic industries and developed economies, the pollution of air and land by the ceramics industry is particularly severe. Many places have excessively exploited non-renewable mineral resources, greatly damaging the ecological environment, and the recycling and reuse of ceramic waste is essentially blank. This situation not only leads to excessive consumption of domestic mineral resources and energy but also hinders the sustainable development of China's ceramics industry.
(2) Uneven industrial distribution, unbalanced regional development, and production-sales imbalance
Industrial production has a distinct regional character, currently concentrated mainly in Guangdong, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Fujian provinces. These regions have a strong ceramic industry foundation, a complete system, a wide range of influence, provide numerous job opportunities, have become traditional pillar industries, and have made significant contributions to local economic development. However, there is also a phenomenon of excessive concentration of ceramic enterprises in some areas. As enterprises continue to expand, production lines continue to expand, and total production continues to increase, resulting in serious overcapacity, imbalance between supply and demand, serious pollution in the region, and resource depletion. In contrast, in Northwest, Northeast, and Inner Mongolia regions, due to the overall economic level, although there are resource advantages, the overall level of the ceramic industry is backward, and there is huge potential for development.
In recent years, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection throughout society, the Chinese government has introduced a series of policies and measures to increase energy conservation and emission reduction efforts, and local governments have also formulated corresponding laws and regulations to control industrial pollution. The industrial ceramics industry faces severe challenges in terms of resources, energy, and the environment.
(3) Low industry profit levels and serious product low quality
Although China is a major ceramic producer, it is not a strong one. Products are mainly low-to-mid-range, with low added value and low prices in the international market. Overcapacity in ceramic production leads to oversupply, and enterprises compete to lower prices to compete for market share, resulting in a continuous decline in industry profit levels. Enterprises lack independent innovation capabilities, product homogeneity is serious, and international market competitiveness is weak. For Chinese ceramics to break through from "Made in China" to "Created in China," and to become a ceramic powerhouse from a major producer, it is necessary to improve product quality, adjust product structure, and attach importance to product innovation. Since the reform and opening up, China's ceramic industry has developed rapidly with the economic recovery, and it has now become a major ceramic producer and consumer in the world. China's production of daily-use ceramics accounts for about 70% of the world's total, the output of decorative art ceramics accounts for 65% of the global total, and the output of building ceramics also accounts for half of the world's total output. Low labor costs and resource advantages have continuously enhanced the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and products, and China's position in the international ceramic market has continuously improved.
