Chinese Water-Saving Products Selling Fast Amid Europe's Longest Drought... Surge in Orders for Faucets and Washing Machines

Surge in Orders for Chinese Water-Saving Products as Europe Faces Prolonged Drought

Chinese Expert: "Aligned with EU Green Transition Policies"

Due to the heatwave and drought that have hit Europe, demand for water-saving products such as faucets, irrigation equipment, and washing machines made in China has surged significantly.

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Soaring Demand for Water-Saving Products in Europe...Chinese Faucet Orders Up Fivefold and Surge in Irrigation Equipment Orders

On August 31, the state-run Global Times reported that Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, China—a major hub for the manufacturing and distribution of small commodities—is experiencing a spike in export orders for water-saving faucets destined for Europe.

Liu Junming, a seller of hardware products for kitchens and bathrooms in Yiwu, told the Global Times that the monthly export volume of faucets to Europe has jumped from the previous level of 1,000 to 2,000 units to about 10,000 units last month.

Liu Junming explained that European buyers are now seeking valve cartridges just 25mm in diameter in order to reduce water consumption, and that, in response to this demand, “mist-type” faucets that spray water in a fine mist to minimize usage have also been released.

Another faucet exporter in Yiwu said that they are selling water-saving faucet models to the European market that use about one third less water than conventional models, and that European sales volumes have been growing by 20% every year.

Yiwu is not alone: Water-saving product orders from Europe are also increasing in Cixi, Zhejiang Province, another Chinese production base for garden irrigation equipment.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), one company's drip-and-spray combined irrigation equipment—able to reduce water usage by about 70% compared to traditional equipment—now sends more than half of its total output to Europe.

The company official added that orders from the UK, France, Germany, and Spain are already backed up through January next year, and that additional contracts are currently under negotiation.

Overseas buyer examining a faucet product made in China. Yonhap News Agency

Longest Drought in Nearly 60 Years...Washing Machines That Reduce Water Usage by 70% Are Popular

Chinese home appliance manufacturer Haier has launched a “3-drum washing machine” aimed at European consumers, emphasizing enhanced water-saving functions. The company explained that this product is equipped with a separate small drum for washing small loads weighing 1 to 2 kg, enabling water usage to be reduced by 70% compared to conventional 8–10 kg washing machines.

Haier stated that after launching this product in Italy and France, the number of pre-orders has already surpassed several hundred units.

The increase in European demand for Chinese water-saving products is attributed to the recent heatwave and severe drought affecting Europe. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), some regions of Western and Central Europe are experiencing the longest drought in over 60 years.

Wang Feng, associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times, “Chinese-made water-saving and energy-efficient products also align with the European Union’s green transition policies. There is great potential for expanded cooperation between China and the EU in fields such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and climate change adaptation technologies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.