Gas Price Is Killing Tile Factories – Plan Your OEM Orders Early
Subtitle:
Hebei kiln utilization has dropped to 50%. This is not a warning — it’s what’s happening now.
Gas prices are no longer a “trend.”
They are a real problem.
In Guangdong, gas went up from RMB 3+/m³ to over RMB 4/m³.
In Hebei, it jumped from RMB 2.7/m³ to RMB 3.7/m³.
That might not sound like much.
But a large kiln uses around 160,000 m³ of gas per day.
One extra RMB per m³ means an extra RMB 5 million per month in cost.
Ask yourself: how many tile factories can afford an extra RMB 5 million every month?
Not many.
Hebei: Kilns Are Shutting Down
In Gaoyi and Zanhuang, only a few factories are still running — Huili, Xinbo’er, Haorui, and a couple of others.
Some plants opened one kiln early this year, then shut it down completely just weeks later.
A few kilns ran for only one month.
Right now, kiln utilization in Hebei is around 50%.
The Hardest Part: Cost Up, Price Not
A few factories tried to raise prices. The market said no.
Instead, some started offering rebates — 2–3% for faster payment.
That’s not a price increase. That’s survival mode.
Meanwhile, Jiangxi producers still use coal and cheaper raw materials.
They sell 800x800mm tiles for as low as RMB 3.8/piece — cheaper than cement.
Try competing with that when your gas bill just went up by RMB 1 million.
What This Means for Tile Buyers (Especially OEM)
This is not about “maybe.”
✅ Production capacity is shrinking – especially for good, reliable factories.
✅ Lead times will get longer – not because factories don’t want your order, but because they can’t afford to run.
✅ Tile prices are under real upward pressure – even if the market doesn’t show it yet.
✅ OEM buyers should plan earlier than usual – or risk losing your production slot.
A Simple Suggestion
Don’t wait until you need the goods to look for capacity.
If you have an OEM project in mind, talk to us now.
We’ll help you secure production time, manage costs, and avoid last‑minute surprises.
📩 Contact OPOLO Tiles for real‑time availability, OEM lead times, and updated pricing.
