Text/Hong Xiaochun
▲The application effect of rock slabs (Hubei’s best ultra-thin rock slabs)
In 2017, China launched a ceramic slab boom; in 2019, the industry experienced a rock slab blowout; in 2020, the "slab craze" continues to heat up. It is undeniable that large slabs/rock slabs are one of the most popular products in the industry, and As this trend surged in China, it also spread to India. To this day, Indian slate has evolved into a worry for most domestic slate companies.
According to statistics, there are currently 18 large slab/rock slab production lines (including under construction) in India, and there are nearly 15 ceramic large slab production lines exceeding 1200×2400mm. Among them, the Indian Simpolo Company has a large slab/rock slab production line (maximum specification 1600×3200mm), with a daily output of up to 15,000 square meters. The large production of large slabs/rock slabs in India can be seen.
In terms of equipment, Indian large slab/rock slab production lines are basically imported from abroad, which is equivalent to the production level of Chinese companies. Take presses as an example. Indian companies basically purchase them from companies such as Henlitai, Keda and System. Previously, Sacmi's Continua+ continuous molding production line tailored for rock slabs (this product is the new favorite of Chinese companies to introduce rock slab equipment, Shuncheng Group's rock slab smart ignition at the end of 2019 The production line has introduced this equipment. This year, Qianghui, Inno and other companies also intend to introduce this equipment). India's Simpolo Company took the lead in installing and launching it on February 28 this year. This is also India's first SAC line. m Continua+ continuous molding production line.
In fact, The domestic demand for large slabs/rock slabs in India is not large, so they are basically exported overseas at low profits and have certain competitiveness in terms of price.Bologna in 2019 At the exhibition, Casalgrande Padana revealed that the price of its products is 42-43 euros/square meter(1200×2400mm specification is about 936 yuan/piece); while India's second Somany, a large ceramics company, said that the price of its products is US$75/square meter (about 1,512 yuan/piece for 1200×2400mm specifications). Nexion company revealed that its large panels. The price exported to China is about 21 euros/square meter, which is already the highest price in India. There are even rumors that large quantities of Indian large slabs/slates have entered the Chinese market, and the price of a 1200×2400mm product is less than 450 yuan.
▲Indian rock slab
As mentioned above, Indian slate has become the number one competitor of domestic slate based on its "unique" advantages such as low cost, low ex-factory price, large production capacity, and not bad equipment.
The first showdown under the impact of the epidemic
Two exhibitions, difficult situation for Chinese companies
▲India Ceramics Industry Exhibition
On March 3, the 15th India International Ceramics Industry Exhibition (ICA) opened as scheduled at the Gandhinagar Exhibition Center in Gujarat, India. Nearly 130 Chinese exhibitors were unable to participate as scheduled due to India's implementation of electronic visa controls on Chinese passport holders and people of other nationalities living in China.
Wang Jingping, vice president and general manager of the marketing division of King Kong Group, revealed that 100% of the existing 18 large plate production lines in India use King Kong rollers (Modena, Sacmi, Deutsche Large-plate kilns exported to India such as Litai and Zhongpeng all use diamond rollers. However, due to the epidemic, the company was also absent from this Indian Ceramics Industry Exhibition.
It can be said that there are very few Chinese companies that successfully participated in the exhibition this time, but the focus of visitors is still large slabs/slates. It is understood that the full-body micro-powder polishing product Colorful Stone developed by Donghai Technology for large rock slabs, the digital fabric series products developed by Expo Electromechanical specifically to cooperate with rock slab presses, and the kiln technology of Modena's professional rock slab production line have been favored by many Indian customers. favor.
▲Spanish Ceramics Exhibition
The Indian media "Financial Express" reported on the Spanish Ceramics Exhibition on February 12 that due to the weakening competition from China (due to the epidemic), the 55 Indian companies participating in the exhibition gained greater interest from partners at this exhibition. An Indian mobile ceramics company also said that due to the temporary suspension of supply from China, market customers that have always been dominated by China are now looking for Indian companies to cooperate. In this regard, Nilesh Jetpariya, chairman of the Morbi Ceramics Association of India, predicted: "Morbi's ceramic exports will grow by 10%."
Reversal under the influence of the global epidemic
India is under lockdown and all factories are closed
On March 24, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a 21-day nationwide closure and isolation measure will be implemented from now on. Except for industrial facilities that produce basic commodities, industrial facilities will Remain closed; At the same time, India's railway services will be suspended until April 14, and all public transportation such as planes, trains, buses and subways will be suspended; except for essential goods transportation and emergency All cargo transportation services remain suspended.
▲After the factory shutdown, a large number of workers returned home on foot
According to Chinese companies that invest and set up factories in India, local factories must cooperate with the Indian government's national epidemic prevention policy and have suspended operations. The subsequent resumption of work will have to wait for notification from the government. After cities entered a state of lockdown, many places saw a wave of migrant workers returning home on foot, so it is expected that it will be difficult for Indian factories to resume production until public transportation is restored.
There is also news that many state governments and experts have requested the central government to extend the national lockdown, but the Indian central government has not yet made a final decision on this. As of 9:00 on April 9, India had 5,916 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 178 deaths. Taking into account practical factors such as India's domestic population density, medical and health resources, and already deteriorating economy, its future prevention and control situation is difficult to say optimistic. Many states in India have announced on their own that they will extend the April 14 lockdown deadline to April 30. Therefore, it is still unknown whether the Indian factory will only suspend production for 3 weeks.
Chinese companies will finally see the light of day
Wuhan restarts, manufacturing industry catches up
At midnight on April 8, 2020, Wuhan, the main battlefield in the national epidemic prevention and control war, was officially lifted after 76 days. On April 9, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng said at a press conference: As of April 7, the resumption of production of manufacturing companies has accelerated significantly, with 76.8% of companies having a resumption rate of more than 70%, and only 5.4% of companies have resumed production. The yield is less than 50%. Among them, 75.9% of the enterprises in Hubei Province have a manufacturing resumption rate of more than 70%, an increase of 9.9 percentage points from last week and close to the national average. With the epidemic under control, ceramic companies in Hubei production areas have gradually recovered.
▲The application effect of rock slabs (Hubei’s best ultra-thin rock slabs)
A representative of Haomei Meiwei ultra-thin slate told the author that the ultra-thin slate production base in Honghu, Hubei has resumed work and production in an orderly manner in accordance with epidemic prevention and control arrangements. Although the Hubei region has been greatly affected by the epidemic this year, Meihao Group is still optimistic about the coming market environment. A representative of Beautiful Ultra-Thin Slabs said: “In terms of policy, the prefabricated buildings that the country has vigorously promoted in recent years have greatly promoted the demand for slates; technically, the birth of the country’s first 3mm thin plate production line has changed my country’s ultra-thin plate production line. Slate has been dependent on imports for a long time and prices have remained high in the market; the increase in market demand for slate will definitely bring unprecedented growth to slate companies. Coupled with the surge in foreign epidemics, slate cannot rely on imports, and domestic slate will be Trending growth ”
▲Domestic rock slab production line
According to statistics, there are already more than 21 domestic slate production lines, and at least more than 13 lines will be put into construction next. Companies with slate production lines, such as Gold Medal Asia, Xinyipai, New Pearl, Mona Lisa, etc., successfully resumed work and production as early as March, and the domestic "slate army" is also growing stronger. On March 12, the second phase of the Gold Medal Asian Ceramic Tile and Large Slab Production Line project officially started; on March 12, Jiangxi Geshiqi Ceramics held a signing ceremony in the Gao'an Municipal Government, investing 500 million yuan to build a smart factory, including 4 ceramic large lines. Intelligent slab/slate production line; on March 21, the third slate production line of Xinyipai successfully produced bricks; on the morning of March 21, the kiln of the new slate intelligent production line of Jinshidai marble tiles was ignited...
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In this competition between domestic slate and Indian slate, Chinese companies won the last prize by relying on the results of the country's "anti-epidemic". Indian Prime Minister Modi said a very classic sentence when he announced the "lockdown": "If India does not close down for 21 days, development will go back 21 years." So, can China's slate companies seize the gap in these 21 days? What about distancing yourself from Indian rock on the track? We'll see!
