In December, affected by peak-shifting production, Zibo ceramic companies began to arrange production suspensions one after another. From December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, single lines must suspend production for 45 consecutive days. As of now, more than 20 ceramic companies in Zibo have stopped production for maintenance. It is expected that by the end of December, more than 80% of Zibo's ceramic companies will have stopped production for maintenance. During the shutdown period, Zibo ceramic enterprises were busy with technological transformation, and the main direction was to convert medium-sized plates and large-capacity production lines.
More than 20 ceramic companies in Zibo have stopped kilns for maintenance
The annual production line operating rate reached the highest level in recent years
In the past two years, Zibo Ceramics has bottomed out and rebounded. With the gradual stabilization of the policy environment, the government has increased support for high-quality ceramic enterprises, and the introduction and application of new equipment and new technologies. With the addition of 8 lines, the annual production capacity has increased by 111 million square meters. It is one of the few ceramic production areas in the country that has achieved production capacity expansion in the past three years.
At the same time, more and more dealers and buyers are returning to Zibo, and corporate sales are gradually picking up, which fully shows that Zibo Ceramics has come out of the trough and is recovering. Under this situation, the resumption rate of Zibo ceramic enterprises (excluding Xiwa) this year is close to 100%. Two ceramic enterprises that had been suspended for more than a year have also resumed production, further increasing the industry's support for the Zibo production area. Hope of regaining advantage.
In July, the resumption rate of Zibo ceramic enterprises reached the peak of production this year. Except for one tile factory that has not resumed work, all Zibo ceramic companies have resumed production in July this year. The operating rate of ceramic tile manufacturers has reached 100%, with more than 70 production lines in operation. In the same period last year, 23 production lines were suspended in the Zibo production area. In addition to 5 production lines that have been suspended, 18 production lines were suspended due to poor sales.
According to "Ceramic Information", as of the end of 2018, there were 76 ceramic tile production lines in the Zibo production area. In other words, in July last year, there were about 52 production lines in operation in the Zibo production area. Compared with last year, there were at least 18 more production lines in operation in the Zibo production area this year. There are currently 80 production lines in the Zibo production area (including 1 Siwa).
Recently, due to the Zibo Municipal Government’s requirement to shift peak production in winter, from December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, every production line of Zibo ceramic enterprises (within the Economic Development Zone) must be stopped for 45 days. . During this period, enterprises can declare the kiln shutdown time period for maintenance based on order production status.
According to "Ceramic Information", Zibo ceramic companies have successively implemented production suspension arrangements starting from November 30 and entered the annual production line maintenance. As of now, more than 20 ceramic companies in Zibo have suspended production for maintenance. It is expected that by the end of this month, more than 80% of Zibo's ceramic companies will be suspended for maintenance.
Technical renovation of production lines at the end of the year
middle plate,Large production capacity is the main direction
Taking advantage of the suspension of production, Zibo ceramic companies are busy upgrading and transforming production lines. For example, three ceramic companies, Zibo Xinjinyi Ceramics Co., Ltd., Zibo Weineng Ceramics Co., Ltd., and Shandong Hongshi Ceramics Technology Co., Ltd. are busy building mid-plate production lines; Geng Ceramics Group plans to convert a glazed tile production line into 750×1500mm, etc. Large format products...
Xinjinyi Ceramics is transforming the original interior wall tile production line and plans to convert a medium plate production line with a designed daily production capacity of not less than 50,000 square meters; Weineng Ceramics is building a new medium plate production line with a designed The daily production capacity is 40,000 square meters. Previously, Weineng Ceramics had a medium plate production line with a daily output of 20,000 square meters; Hongshi Ceramics built a new medium plate production line based on the original glazed tile production line, with a designed daily production capacity Not less than 50,000 square meters.
In addition, ceramic companies such as Jinhao Ceramics, Lion King Ceramics, ADB Ceramics, Qiangqiang Ceramics, etc. are also busy upgrading and transforming their production lines. Through this transformation, ceramic companies can save considerable costs to a certain extent. "The main purpose of this production line transformation is to reduce production costs and thereby improve the market competitiveness of the products." An industry insider in Zibo who did not want to be named told "Ceramic Information".
Three ceramic companies in Zibo launch rock slabs
Because they are optimistic about the market next year, three ceramic companies, Zibo Jingqili Ceramics Co., Ltd., Shandong Guorun Ceramics Co., Ltd., and Zibo Jinka Ceramics Co., Ltd., have launched slate products this year.
The person in charge of a department of Shandong Guorun Ceramics Co., Ltd. told "Ceramic Information" that his company launched 530×800mm, 600×1000mm, 600×1200mm, 600×800mm and other specifications on November 23, with a thickness of 15mm. New slate products, mainly used for bathroom countertops.
“This is a variety of rock slabs launched this year based on the 600×1200mm and 9mm or 6mm thickness specifications. At the same time, in order to further enrich the product structure, our company also plans to launch 700×1300mm and 800×1400mm next year. and other specifications of rock slabs,” said the person in charge of the above department of Guorun Ceramics.
In October this year, Jinka Ceramics also combined the company's advantages and launched 530×800㎜ and 1000×530㎜ slate products to increase the added value of products for dealers.
In addition, Zibo Jingqili Ceramics Co., Ltd. also launched a large slate plate of 910×1810mm and 12mm thickness on November 29. "Our large slate slabs were officially put into production on November 28. Both the whiteness of the body and the toughness of the product have been recognized by customers." Wang Qingguo, general manager of Jingqili Ceramics, told "Ceramic Information". Tested by a third-party testing agency, the whiteness of the rock slab launched by Jingqili Ceramics is above 70 degrees, and the whiteness of the brick surface reaches 78 degrees.
Since the sales channels of slate are different from those of ceramic tiles, in addition to sales by some dealers, the three manufacturers are currently actively connecting with furniture manufacturers in order to achieve cross-border cooperation as soon as possible.
(The article is reproduced from Ceramic Information)
