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**China's Situation in Non-Excavation Equipment Development**
The development of non-excavation equipment in China has a long history, dating back to the 1960s. However, despite this early start, the industry has struggled to catch up with international standards. According to Wang Jianye, chairman of the China Heavy Machinery Industry Association, foreign companies have had a more systematic approach to innovation, learning from past failures and gradually improving their technology through repeated trials.
In contrast, Chinese enterprises often face setbacks that lead to broader industry stagnation. This lack of resilience has hindered progress, leaving many large roadheaders still imported from abroad. Although prices have dropped in recent years, these machines remain expensive, with costs reaching tens of millions of dollars per unit.
During an interview, Wang showed reporters a sample of a roadheader, claiming it was domestically produced. However, he revealed that most of these machines are actually made in collaboration with foreign firms, with China only handling basic machining tasks. Core technologies remain out of reach, effectively making China a low-cost labor provider rather than an innovator.
The Shanghai Tunnel Company is one exception, having developed its own shield machine for the Shanghai Metro. The equipment performed well, with no paint loss on the cutter head after over ten kilometers of operation. However, industry insiders suggest that Shanghai’s geological conditions are relatively easy, and the success of domestic equipment there may not be replicable elsewhere.
Wang admitted that China’s full-face tunneling machine technology is still not fully mature. While domestic shield machines work well in Shanghai, they may not perform as effectively in other regions like Beijing, where the geology is much harder.
**Market Value and Industrial Impact**
Despite the challenges, the market potential for roadheaders and shield machines is significant. By 2020, China planned to build over 6,000 kilometers of non-excavation infrastructure, including railways, highways, subways, and water projects. At an estimated cost of $4 billion to $32 billion, this represents a major opportunity.
However, the current output of China’s heavy machinery sector is around 3 billion yuan annually, suggesting that the market for these machines is not yet fully developed. Only a small portion of underground construction requires roadheaders or shield machines, according to Wang Mengshu.
Despite this, Wang Jianye emphasized the broader impact of developing such technology. It drives advancements in information systems, control technologies, and hydraulic systems. High-precision positioning, automation, and intelligent control are all essential for modern underground engineering, offering opportunities for technological leapfrogging.
**International Trends and Competitors**
Globally, leading companies such as Japan’s Mitsubishi, Germany’s Herrenknecht, and the U.S.’s Robbins dominate the market, producing large-scale machines capable of working in challenging environments. These firms have also been exploring smaller, more specialized equipment, such as micro-tunneling machines, which allow for underground construction without disrupting surface activities.
Japan, in particular, leads in small shield machines, with advanced plastic pipe-forming technology that enables seamless pipeline installation during excavation. Western countries have even passed laws restricting open-cut methods in urban areas, further boosting demand for these technologies.
**Challenges and Constraints**
Despite the potential, several factors hinder China’s progress. First, the system itself is a major obstacle. Innovation in state-owned enterprises is often stifled by bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of incentives for technical personnel. Wang Jianye shared an example of a private company successfully developing a 10,000-ton extrusion press, something that would have taken years in a state-owned enterprise.
Second, there is a gap between innovation and standardization. In China, failure is often not tolerated, unlike in the West, where experimentation and learning from mistakes are encouraged. Additionally, outdated standards and a lack of coordination among government departments slow down progress.
Third, material and component constraints remain a challenge. Key parts like hydraulic systems and reducers are still largely imported, increasing production costs and limiting domestic growth. Domestic steel mills often cannot meet the specific needs of heavy machinery manufacturers, forcing them to source materials internationally.
In conclusion, while China has made some progress in developing non-excavation equipment, significant challenges remain. Overcoming these will require systemic reforms, stronger innovation incentives, and better alignment with global standards. Only then can China truly compete on the world stage.
October 03, 2025