Domestic eco-friendly equipment companies are making inroads into the Chinese market as demand for green technology surges. This strategy aims to capture a growing niche market.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in collaboration with the Korea Environmental Industry Association, is hosting the '2026 China Tianjin Environmental Industry Export Consultation Meeting' from June 4 to 5 in Tianjin. The event is designed to address the green transition needs in seven key industrial sectors identified by the Chinese government, including eco-friendly equipment, information technology, and equipment manufacturing.
Tianjin, a major industrial hub in northern China, has a fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration of 36.2 µg/m³, approximately 30% higher than the national average. Due to its industrial structure, the city has faced criticism for high emissions of air pollutants, prompting calls for a transition to smart, low-carbon infrastructure.
In response, the Chinese government designated Tianjin as a 'National Green Development Pilot Zone' in 2024, promoting the greening of industries through initiatives like smart water treatment and carbon reduction. The plan includes an investment of 52 billion yuan (about $7.2 billion) to enhance green technology, equipment, services, and financial infrastructure by 2035, while also attracting global companies to the pilot zone.
To align with this demand, KOTRA facilitated export consultations for 11 promising domestic environmental technology firms with 25 Chinese buyers, focusing on low-carbon management, energy reduction, and digital water treatment solutions. Two domestic companies producing sludge reduction dewatering systems and smart water quality measurement devices successfully signed agent contracts and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Chinese buyers during the event.
Additionally, a separate meeting between South Korean and Chinese government officials and relevant organizations discussed ways to expand cooperation and exchanges in the environmental industry, involving the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Korea-China Environmental Cooperation Center, and the Korea Environmental Technology Institute, among others, with Tianjin's Ecological Environment Bureau and Environmental Protection Association.
KOTRA's China Regional Headquarters Director Hwang Jae-won stated, "The Chinese government is prioritizing green transition across industries and urban operations. We will do our utmost to uncover business opportunities and connect our companies with partners."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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