Changle, a coastal district in Fujian, produces nearly 30% of China's chemical-fiber blended yarn. While many textile clusters debate whether to digitize, Changle mills are grappling with how to do it profitably. In early July 2026, an expert team from the China Cotton Textile Association visited six local mills—Zhengxin, Xingyi, Keda, Yaxin, Lihua, and Liyuan—and found a core challenge: willingness to transform, but lack of precise ROI calculations for automation and clear direction for new product development.
Background
Changle is China's largest base for chemical-fiber blended yarn, specializing in polyester-cotton blends, regenerated cellulose fiber blends, and differentiated synthetic yarns. Led by Jinyuan Textile and Xinhua Yuan Group, the cluster enjoys strong scale effects. However, small and medium mills vary widely in digital maturity, with some still relying on manual management.
This visit was part of the "Smart Manufacturing Empowers Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Cotton Textile Enterprises" series, organized by the China Cotton Textile Association. Participants included Haima Textile Machinery, Qingdao Shuangqing Intelligent Technology, and Galaxy Futures. Experts assessed local experience in digital transformation, product upgrades, and operational bottlenecks.
Industry Impact
According to expert reports, Changle mills face three pressures: slowing global consumption growth, rising energy and raw material costs due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and widening efficiency gaps caused by automation investments by competitors.
Zhou Yejun, former chairman of Wuxi No.1 Cotton Mill, stressed that future competitiveness depends on both "production hard power" and "management soft power." This means not just buying automated equipment but also breaking data silos—linking spinning and winding machine data with production scheduling for real-time optimization.
Lu Liqiu, chairman of Haima Textile Machinery, presented cases showing that intelligent doffing systems on ring frames, automatic tray feeding for winders, and linked spinning-winding systems are mature in China. For Changle mills, the key is selecting the right configuration for their yarn types and batch sizes.
On the product side, Professor Yan Taohai from Minjiang University highlighted "new flexible fibers"—regenerated cellulose, regenerated protein, smart fibers, and high-performance eco-fibers. Changle's traditional strength in polyester-cotton blends can be upgraded to these higher-value segments to avoid price wars.
On the financial side, Galaxy Futures researcher Liu Qiannan noted that hedging via futures is essential for locking raw material costs amid global uncertainty. It is no longer optional but a basic cost-control tool.