In the winter heating season of 2017, the air purification market—expected to be at its peak—was surprisingly quieter than in previous years. In contrast, during the winter of 2016, the air purifier industry had already begun to decline both online and offline. Many professionals in the field have been wondering: what's next for this industry? These questions have lingered in their minds as they navigate through a shifting market landscape.
Air pollution control is not something that can be solved overnight. 2017 marked the final year of the Air Pollution Prevention Action Plan. According to the plan, by 2017, the concentration of inhalable particulate matter in cities at or above the prefecture level was expected to drop by over 10% compared to 2012. The number of days with good air quality should also increase each year. Specifically, in regions like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta, PM2.5 levels were targeted to decrease by 25%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. In Beijing, the annual average PM2.5 concentration was aimed to be around 60μg/m³.
With these targets linked to performance evaluations, governments across the country became increasingly focused on improving environmental conditions. After five years of dedicated efforts, the results began to show in 2017. For example, Beijing’s annual average PM2.5 concentration reached 58μg/m³, meeting the government’s goal set in 2013. To achieve this, many regions implemented rapid coal-to-gas and coal-to-electricity projects, restricted industrial production, and imposed vehicle restrictions during extreme weather events.
However, improving air quality is not a one-time achievement. It requires sustained effort and time to achieve long-term ecological improvement. Therefore, the air purification industry will continue to grow rather than stop. The main danger of PM2.5 lies in its potential to cause irreversible damage to the respiratory system and other internal organs. Even if the sky appears clear, PM2.5 can still gradually harm the body. In comparison, the U.S. standard for high-quality air sets PM2.5 levels below 12μg/m³, meaning that 60μg/m³ is considered moderately polluted.
Another key issue behind the air pollution problem is China’s energy structure. While the coal-to-gas and coal-to-electricity initiatives have contributed to the “blue sky†campaign, the lack of gas supply has also created challenges in meeting basic heating needs. Energy restructuring is a complex process that cannot be completed in one step. Although transitioning to clean energy is a logical choice, given China’s large population and existing energy composition, further planning and adjustments are necessary for sustainable progress.
The air purifier industry is not just dependent on smog to drive sales. In 2017, during the heating season, practitioners noticed a market slowdown. With less fog, the demand for air purifiers seemed to wane. According to Zhongyikang data, the retail volume of air purifiers dropped sharply in the last four weeks of 2017, with some categories declining by as much as 80%. This steep drop raised concerns among industry players.
But the air purifier market is not solely driven by haze. Indoor air pollution comes from various sources, such as benzene, formaldehyde, bacteria, and viruses. Haze may directly influence consumer purchasing behavior, but as people become more health-conscious and their living standards improve, the demand for clean air is expected to grow steadily.
Currently, China’s middle-income group is close to 300 million, and it is projected to double within the next decade. During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, China aims to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, raising per capita national income to a high-income level. By 2020, urban and rural residents’ disposable income is expected to double compared to 2010, while urbanization rates will reach 60%, and total household consumption is projected to exceed 45 trillion yuan. As incomes rise, consumers will demand higher quality air, water, and living environments.
Although the air purifier market showed a slight decline at the end of 2017, overall product sales continued to grow throughout the year. The seasonal dip was not enough to deter long-term demand. In fact, the market saw a sharp spike in 2016 when severe smog led to panic buying. These fluctuations are normal and do not hinder the industry’s growth trajectory.
Today, the penetration rate of air purifiers in China remains low compared to developed countries, where the market penetration is around 20% to 30%. Peng Yi, Deputy General Manager of Zhongyikang Times, noted that the Chinese air purifier market is still in its early stages, with significant growth potential ahead. Zhongyikang predicts that the market size will grow by about 20% year-on-year in 2018.
Contact Switch,Reed Contact Switch,Magnetic Contact,Magnetic Contact Switch
Shanghai Janetec Electric Co., Ltd. , https://www.janetecelectric.com