In China, fostering new quality productive forces has become a key objective under the umbrella of the Industry 4.0 plan, and industrial robots are crucial to the strategy. In 2022, China’s industrial robot installations accounted for over 50% of the global total, with the nation emerging as a powerhouse in automation. China’s manufacturing sector has a robot density of 392 units per 10,000 workers, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). In the past decade, domestically produced robots have found applications in nearly half of the country’s key economic sectors. By 2025, China is aiming to double the 2020 density level of industrial robots in the manufacturing sector, the Ministry said. The sector’s robot density in 2020 was 246 units per 10,000 workers.
Industrial robots now play a crucial role on production lines in industries such as automotive, electronics, food, and pharmaceuticals. By improving production efficiency and precision, industrial robots help enterprises lower costs and elevate their competitiveness, said Song Xiaogang, Executive Director of the China Robot Industry Alliance. China’s manufacturing sector is characterized by its vast scale and wide variety of categories, yet its level of automation still has room for improvement. This presents significant potential for domestically produced industrial robots, which are technologically advanced and cost-effective, Song said.
The industrial robot market in China experienced steady growth in 2023, with sales reaching 316,000 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.29%, according to a report by the Gaogong Industry Research Institute. A notable shift in market share between domestic and foreign manufacturers was seen last year. For the first time, domestically produced industrial robots accounted for more than half of the market share at 52.45%. Though China has solidified its position as the world’s largest industrial robotics market, the country started out bridging the gap with established players such as Japan, Germany, and the United States.
Siasun Robot & Automation Co was one of the first domestic enterprises to delve into research and application of robotics, and broke the long-standing market and technological barriers imposed by foreign products. As early as 2000, their robots were being used in construction machinery and motorcycle manufacturing. With breakthroughs in multiple core technologies such as force sensors and offline programming, the company’s industrial robots have been widely applied in industries such as electronics, aerospace and engineering machinery. Siasun has also been involved in major national projects like the cross-sea highway between Shenzhen and Zhongshan in Guangdong province, and the Gezhouba Dam hydropower project on the Yangtze river. “The advancements have transformed China’s industrial robotics landscape, reducing its reliance on imported technologies,” said Zhang Jin, President of Siasun, which is based in Shenyang, Liaoning province.
However, international robotics giants such as Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, and Yaskawa, still have a large slice of the domestic market. This is particularly evident in the high-end section of the market, where domestic industrial robots face strong competition. The global automotive industry, which accounts for nearly half of the demand for industrial robots, poses significant challenges for Chinese companies seeking to gain a foothold. Established foreign manufacturers currently dominate the industry, making it a daunting task for Chinese companies to carve out a space for themselves, said Yi Mingze, Northern Regional Manager of Zhejiang Qianjiang Robot Co. Domestic enterprises must prioritize investment in research and development (R&D) to reduce reliance on imports. Yantai Aitron Robot Technology Co in Shandong province is reaping the rewards of rapid development in the new energy vehicle sector. Its load-carrying robots have reached international performance standards at lower costs.
Chinese industrial robot manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond the domestic market. With immense global potential, these companies are capitalizing on export opportunities to increase sales. According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics, industrial robot installations in Europe are on the rise. The 27 EU member states installed nearly 72,000 industrial robots in 2022, a 6% year-on-year increase. As early as 2007, Siasun began exporting its robots. Today, the company’s products are exported to over 40 countries and regions worldwide and are used by more than 4,000 companies, said Siasun’s President, Zhang Jin. Siasun is accelerating its international expansion. The company has established overseas subsidiaries and regional centers in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, and other locations, Zhang said. This year, the company plans to further expand its global footprint by establishing a new overseas service center in Stuttgart, Germany, the China Daily reports.
