Dipl. Ing. Yichun Lu M.Sc.
Masterprüfung: 01/2006
China's chemical industry includes chemical extraction, and production of fertilizers, pesticides, basic chemical raw materials, synthetic fiber, synthetic rubber, photosensitive materials, rubber products, plastic products, petrochemicals, chemicals for household use and pharmaceuticals. There are more than 40,000 kinds in all. China's chemical industry accounts for an impressive 10 % of gross national product (GNP). The chemical industry in China will maintain an annual growth rate of nine percent. Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangshu, Zhejiang and Guangdong are China's most important chemical industry bases.
At present, industrial wastewater pollution in China is a serious concern. Especially in chemical industry in China, the serious pollution of wastewater and the overload of the discharged sludge are always encountered and need to be treated. Therefore, it is important to treat and recycle wastewater and encourage the sustainable economic development in chemical industry in China. Most domestic chemical plants are under technical renovations now. All renovations are required to follow the strategies of the clean production and the effective effluent treatments.
The competition for the market of decanters in China is fierce. China's domestic technology of equipment does not compare favorably to imported decanters. However, they do compete favorably with low prices, quick after-service, easy access to domestic markets, and continuous improvements in quality. In chemical industry in China, filter presses are often adopted to dewater the surplus activity sludge and the digested sludge. Most filter presses are sold by domestic suppliers. Some foreign manufacturers of decanter like Alfa Laval, Westfalia-Separator (WS), Andritz and Flottweg have all been successful in the Chinese market for decanter centrifuges.
Key demand fields of decanters for sludge dewatering in China include:
- New projects on water pollution control in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at national and local level
- Wastewater control in chemical, paper, ferment, textile, iron & steel, electricity, and mining industries
- Technology retrofitting in conventional industries and old industrial bases
- National western development program in China
- Environmental pollution control projects related to the Beijing Olympic Games
WS has captured a very limited share of the market of decanter for sludge dewatering in chemical industry. The competition is not only from companies located in Japan and USA but also other companies in European Union. Domestic production of decanter is limited by production output and technical sophistication. Nevertheless, domestic companies have obtained large market share in chemical industry because on one hand, they are familiar with Chinese market; on the other hand, it is easier for them to build new and maintain old relationship with purchasers so it is possible to have various sales channels. Furthermore, the good relationship with chemical administrations and local governments offers critical assistance to domestic companies. It is obvious, that the much lower price of domestic products is also one of the most important facts why domestic companies have won much bigger market share in chemical industry in China. Flottweg Company is very active in the market of decanters for sludge dewatering in chemical industry in china because of its low price, high devotion and good relation with some chemical engineering companies in China.
The potential market of decanters for sludge dewatering in chemical industry is still huge in future. As far as the market of decanters for sludge dewatering in chemical industry in China is concerned, the high price of WS decanter centrifuges, the insufficient devotion of the market development, the simple sales channels and administrative barriers will continue to impede market access in the short and long term. Definitely, China shall be regarded as the biggest potential market in the Asia region. As a result of the market survey, the market potential of decanters for sludge dewatering in chemical Industry is tremendous. To develop and expand the market share it is necessary to expand sales channels, devoting more energy to new market development, adjusting the strategies for market development, perfecting the after-service e.g. the supply of spare parts, and to improve the efficiency of work.
