As summer temperatures soar across continents, the booming "cooling economy" is creating fresh opportunities for Chinese manufacturers.
From cooling mats and bamboo bed sheets to smart air-conditioners and energy-efficient fans, companies are tapping into the growing demand for relief from heat and humidity to expand their presence in Southeast Asia, as well as parts of Europe and Latin America.
In the coastal manufacturing hub of Taizhou, Zhejiang province, the export of cooling mats is gaining momentum. Once synonymous with traditional bamboo and grass weaving, the product has undergone a technological makeover. New materials and advanced textile techniques have transformed these mats into lightweight, soft-touch products that offer a refreshing sensation while also being comfortable against the skin.
The end result is resonating with consumers across Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, where daytime temperatures are already hovering around 35 C.
At Xingxin Mats Industry, production lines are running steadily to keep pace with overseas orders. Vietnam has emerged as one of the company's most important export destinations, according to its general manager Lin Bangqiu, with shipments remaining robust in the first half of the year.
"Taizhou has a highly developed industry for cooling mats, supported by a complete supply chain," Lin said. "Our exported products mainly use spandex materials because they absorb moisture and dry quickly, providing stable temperature regulation. ... This makes them suitable for Vietnamese consumers."
The company's best-selling item is a 1.6-meter-long cooling mat. In Vietnam, where many households place mats directly on the floor, the product fits naturally into local living habits.
In Guangdong province, manufacturers are seeing a similar surge in demand for cooling products, particularly white goods.
According to customs data, the city of Jiangmen alone exported 7.01 billion yuan ($1 billion) worth of home appliances during the first four months of the year, with cooling-related products — such as air-conditioners, electric fans and refrigerators — accounting for nearly half of the total.
Among the latest shipments bound for overseas markets were 490 smart inverter air-conditioners made by Hisense Group Guangdong, which were all exported to Vietnam.
"The air-conditioners we export feature intelligent temperature-control technology that automatically adjusts power consumption according to environmental conditions," Liu Pei, general manager of Hisense Group Guangdong (Air-Conditioning), told Jiangmen Customs.
"The products are designed to accommodate different voltage standards and climate conditions, which have made them highly popular in Southeast Asian markets," Liu said, adding that the company's export volume is expected to exceed 3 million units in the first half of the year.
Jiangmen has emerged as one of Guangdong's key manufacturing centers for intelligent home appliances.
Kennede Electronics Manufacturing based in the city has struck a chord with overseas consumers with one particular product made in its smart factory. The company's multifunctional outdoor fan, which is equipped with LED lighting and Bluetooth speakers, has become popular among campers in Latin America.
"The product has become a favorite in the Latin American outdoor market," said Lu Weiqiang, marketing manager at Kennede Electronics. "Its export value reached 100 million yuan during the first four months of this year."
Demand has been so strong that the company's production lines are operating around the clock, with overseas orders already booked through the fourth quarter.
Jiangmen Dexin Electric Appliance is also running its production at top speed. Eighteen assembly lines are making energy-saving ceiling and tower fans, which pass through dynamic balance testing and simulated operation zones before heading to export markets in Europe.
"In the first four months of this year, our electric fan exports reached nearly 500 million yuan, up 23.7 percent year-on-year," said Liang Xiaomei, a company representative. "Demand for our flagship energy-saving fans in Europe is currently outpacing supply."
