China's corrosion-resistant pump development is facing difficulties
Corrosion-resistant pumps play a crucial role in various industrial sectors, including petroleum, chemical, fertilizer, textile, food, and environmental protection. As market demands evolve, the need for high-technical-content corrosion-resistant pumps has increased significantly. To meet these changing needs, Chinese manufacturers have made efforts to adjust their structures, but they still struggle to fully satisfy the market demand. Despite this, domestic corrosion-resistant pumps face challenges such as operational reliability, batch stability, and corrosion resistance. Each year, over $80 million worth of corrosion-resistant pumps are imported into China, showing a growing trend.
This situation highlights the gap between domestic production and international standards. Many Chinese pump manufacturers lack economies of scale, operate at low levels, and produce small batches of substandard products. With more than 3,500 pump manufacturers nationwide, only 15% meet the requirements of large-scale production. The future of the market will be dominated by large-scale, high-tech competition, similar to what we've seen in industries like consumer electronics.
According to customs data, about 16% of the total pump demand in China is met through imports, with 85% being corrosion-resistant models. The market for corrosion-resistant pumps is estimated at around 4.5 billion yuan, accounting for 30% of the total pump market. Approximately 300,000 units are required annually, making up about 7% of the overall market.
Currently, about 65% of the production of corrosion-resistant pumps is concentrated among 160 member companies of the Zhongtong Pump Association, but none of them have achieved true economies of scale. Only a few leading manufacturers, such as Dalian Acid-Resistant Pump Plant, Shijiazhuang Pump Factory, and Shanghai KSB, have some level of technical capability and production capacity. However, they still lack specialization and remain stuck in low-level, sporadic production.
In terms of market demand, corrosion-resistant pumps are mainly used in energy systems, petrochemicals, and mining. Since the 1960s, China has developed F-type and Y-type corrosion-resistant pumps. In the 1980s, major manufacturers began importing advanced foreign technologies and gradually introduced improved products. However, except for a few companies like Big Resistance and Shanghai KSB, most failed to make a significant impact on the market.
In different application fields, users often prefer specific brands based on their needs. For example, ammonia projects favor Big Resistance, while the Chlor-alkali industry prefers Hangzhou Alkali Pump. When dealing with corrosive media like hydrofluoric acid, plastic or ceramic pumps are commonly used. This highlights the increasing demand for pumps that can withstand extreme conditions—high temperature, low temperature, strong corrosion, and long-term stability.
Despite the growing market, the production of corrosion-resistant pumps has declined due to rising imports, leading to imbalanced operations, reduced profitability, and increased losses. Small factories without proper capabilities have flooded the market with low-quality products, driving down prices and increasing sales costs. Some enterprises have tried to grow by merging or forming groups, but many have neglected technological advancement, leading to inefficiencies and poor performance.
To improve competitiveness, Chinese manufacturers must focus on brand building, product quality, and cost control. Collaborating with international leaders and adopting advanced technology and management practices could help. Developing corrosion-resistant pumps with high technical content, good durability, and reliable performance is essential. Mass production and modern marketing strategies will be key to achieving sustainable growth in the domestic market.
Dongguan Anding Technology Manufacturing Co., Ltd , https://www.cn-moulds.com