The textile industry has long been a labor-intensive sector, heavily reliant on human input. However, as China's demographic dividend gradually fades, the need for industrial transformation and upgrading has become urgent. Mechanization, automation, and intelligent technologies have emerged as key strategies to modernize traditional industries, reduce workforce dependency, improve efficiency, and ease recruitment challenges. This shift has marked the beginning of China’s "machine substitution" initiative.
This transformation has already shown promising results across various sectors. Zhejiang Province was among the first to implement this policy. In 2013, the provincial government launched a "four-change" project, including "cage change, machine substitution, space exchange, and e-commerce for cities," aiming to reshape the economic landscape. According to the Zhejiang Provincial Economic and Information Commission, the program has yielded significant achievements within a year.
Firstly, the cost of labor and production has decreased. Surveys show that 61.5% of enterprises reduced their frontline staff by over 10%, while 68.9% cut production costs by more than 5%. As a result, profit margins increased by about one percentage point under similar conditions.
Secondly, labor productivity has improved significantly. The surveyed companies reported an increase in productivity of over 30%, with 16.6% seeing a 20–30% rise and 29% experiencing a 10–20% improvement.
Thirdly, product quality has seen a notable enhancement. Machines offer precision and consistency that manual labor struggles to match. Nearly 98.3% of enterprises reported improved product quality after implementing machine substitution.
Fourthly, energy consumption has also dropped. Over 86.3% of surveyed companies noted a reduction in energy use following automation.
The textile industry plays a crucial role in this transformation. In Keqiao District, from January to September this year, 661 technical projects were completed, with 15.342 billion yuan invested in textile-related initiatives—accounting for 63% of total investment.
Lanxi City, known for its weaving industry, has also embraced automation. Local enterprises have started replacing manual tasks with automated systems, with government subsidies encouraging adoption. Hundreds of weaving firms are involved, with over 70 selected for implementation. These projects have seen over 90% of their annual investment plans completed.
Shaoxing’s printing and dyeing industry has also undergone automation, focusing on improving information and energy management. The results have been positive.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Textile enterprises still have significant room for growth in terms of automation and intelligence. For example, over 97% of Chinese textile companies still rely on manual doffing, while only 1% use automated systems. In contrast, over 85% of companies in Europe and the U.S. have adopted automatic doffers, signaling a growing demand in China.
Machine substitution offers clear advantages in boosting productivity, but many small and medium-sized enterprises face high costs and limited access to financing. According to a survey by the Zhejiang Economic and Information Commission, 71.1% of companies consider high costs the main obstacle. Many investments exceed 10 million yuan, which is difficult for smaller firms to manage.
Moreover, maintenance and technical expertise pose additional challenges. Low-skilled workers struggle to operate advanced equipment, requiring training or hiring specialized personnel. The payback period for such investments can be lengthy, with 36.8% of enterprises facing over four years before recouping their costs.
Experts like Hu Xudong from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology suggest that enterprises should adopt flexible approaches. Large-scale automation suits big companies, while smaller ones can focus on specific processes like knitting or packing. Even simple automation can lead to significant savings in labor and time.
Looking ahead, textile machinery companies must innovate, enhance service models, form technical alliances, and strengthen intellectual property protection. Innovation remains key, as does collaboration with research institutions. Customized services and strong after-sales support will be vital in building trust and long-term relationships.
In conclusion, while the road to full automation is challenging, it presents great opportunities for the textile industry to evolve, become more efficient, and adapt to future demands.
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