In 2026, relying on technological breakthroughs of China’s twin-screw extruder industry, the upgrading of downstream demand structure and the optimization of industrial chain coordination, the price trend presents the core characteristics of “overall stability, polarization, strong high-end market and stable low-end market”. The overall market price range is relatively large, ranging from about $2.8-$69.4 for small laboratory equipment to more than $138,889 for large high-end industrial units. The price difference mainly stems from equipment specifications, technical configuration, application scenarios and brand positioning. At the same time, affected by multiple factors such as raw materials, policies and market competition, price fluctuations show phased and structural characteristics. The following is a detailed analysis combined with market data and industry status.

I. Overview of Overall Price Trend

In 2026, the overall price of China’s twin-screw extruders maintained stable operation without significant fluctuations. The core reasons are sufficient industry capacity supply, continuous deepening of localization substitution, and steady release of downstream demand, resulting in a relatively balanced supply and demand. According to data from China’s mainstream e-commerce platforms and industry research, the average annual price of twin-screw extruders increased slightly by 1.2%-2.5% compared with 2025. The moderate increase was mainly driven by the technological upgrading of high-end models and the rising cost of core components. Due to fierce market competition, the prices of mid-to-low-end models were basically the same as those of the previous year, and some small and medium-sized enterprises even made slight concessions to seize market share.

From a time perspective, the price showed a trend of “slight quarterly fluctuations and overall stability throughout the year”: in the first quarter, affected by the Spring Festival holiday, the resumption of production of downstream enterprises was delayed, resulting in weak demand, and the market price was at the low level of the year. Some manufacturers launched promotional policies, and the price of low-end models decreased by 3%-5%; in the second and third quarters, with the peak production season of downstream industries such as plastic modification, new energy materials and building materials, demand was concentrated, and prices gradually recovered. High-end models maintained strong prices due to sufficient orders; in the fourth quarter, affected by the stocking demand of downstream enterprises and slight fluctuations in raw material prices, the price adjusted slightly, but the fluctuation range was controlled within 1%-3%, and no extreme fluctuations occurred.

II. Detailed Price Differentiation of Different Categories

The price differentiation of twin-screw extruders mainly depends on equipment specifications (capacity, length-diameter ratio), technical configuration (intelligence, automation level), application scenarios (laboratory, industrial mass production) and brand positioning. This differentiation trend became more prominent in 2026, which can be specifically divided into three categories:

(I) Small Laboratory Twin-Screw Extruders

Such equipment is mainly used in universities, scientific research institutions and enterprise R&D departments for material formula testing and small-batch trial production. It is characterized by small size, low capacity and high precision, and the price range varies greatly, mainly affected by the simplicity of configuration. According to the latest quotes from e-commerce platforms such as Taobao and 1688 in January 2026, the price of simple laboratory twin-screw extruders (such as small pelletizing and extruding models) is as low as $2.8-$69.4, which are mainly simple equipment for basic experiments; the price of conventional precision models (suitable for plastic modification and color masterbatch formula experiments) is between $69.4-$8,333, among which models such as CT30/15 and SJ20 produced by manufacturers in Jiangsu, Guangdong and other regions of China are concentrated in the price range of $416.7-$694.4; the price of high-precision intelligent laboratory models (with precise temperature control, flexible screw combination and data networking functions) is between $8,333-$8,333, such as high-end test lines produced by some manufacturers in Nanjing and Dongguan of China, the price can reach $33,333-$8,472.2. Due to the high technical threshold, the price of such models increased slightly by 3%-5% compared with 2025.

(II) Industrial Standard Twin-Screw Extruders

Such equipment is the mainstream category in the market, mainly used for industrial mass production, covering conventional application scenarios such as plastic pelletizing, feed processing and pipe extrusion. The capacity is concentrated between 100kg/h-1000kg/h, the technical configuration is mainly standardized, and some can achieve basic automatic control. In 2026, the price range is concentrated between $13,889-$111,111, and the core price range is $20,833-$69,444. Among them, the price of conventional models for plastic pelletizing (such as SHJ42 and KTE-65B models) is between $13,889-$41,667, and the price of economical models produced by small and medium-sized enterprises in Henan, Shandong and other regions of China can be as low as $6,944-$13,889; the price of models for feed and condiment extrusion is between $1,389-$20,833, and the price of stainless steel models produced by manufacturers in Shanghai, Jiangsu and other regions of China is concentrated between $6,944-$13,889; the price of twin-screw extruders supporting PVC/PP pipe extrusion production lines is between $41,667-$111,111, and the price of standardized production lines produced by manufacturers in Guangdong, Zhejiang and other regions of China can reach $69,444-$111,111. The market competition for such models is fierce, and the localization rate has been close to 100%. The price is basically the same as that in 2025. Some manufacturers have launched value-added services such as free installation and quality assurance upgrade to enhance market share, which indirectly reduces the procurement cost of users.

(III) High-End Intelligent Twin-Screw Extruders

Such equipment is mainly used in high-end fields such as new energy materials (lithium battery separators, photovoltaic encapsulation films), biodegradable plastics and carbon fiber composites. It is characterized by high capacity, high precision and high intelligence level. Core components (high-precision gearboxes, servo drive systems) rely on imports or high-end localized alternative products, with high technical thresholds. In 2026, the price range is concentrated between $111,111-$638,889, and the price of some customized large-scale units can exceed $1,388,889 (such as micro fully automatic extrusion units produced by some manufacturers in Dongguan of China, with a price of $36,667). Among them, the price of special models for new energy materials (such as glass fiber reinforced modification and degradable material extrusion models) is between $138,889-$416,667. The price of models produced by leading local enterprises in Jiangsu and Guangdong of China is 20%-30% lower than that of international brands; the price of large-scale customized production lines (such as PVC pelletizing production lines and wood-plastic blending extrusion production lines) is between $416,667-$638,889. The price of high-end units produced by manufacturers in Beijing, Zhejiang and other regions of China increased by 5%-8% compared with 2025, mainly due to the slight increase in the price of imported core components and the increase in investment in intelligent technology upgrading. The price of high-end models sold in China by international brands (such as Coperion of Germany and Toshiba of Japan) is 30%-50% higher than that of similar Chinese models, but they still occupy a part of the high-end market due to their strong stability and mature technology.

(IV) Used Twin-Screw Extruders

In 2026, the price of the used market remained stable, mainly affected by the price of new machines, equipment condition and service life, with the price range concentrated between $13,889-$222,222. Among them, the price of conventional industrial models such as Model 75 (with a service life of 3-5 years) is between $22,222-$69,444, and the quotes in the used market in Guangdong, Dongguan and other regions of China are relatively concentrated; the price of high-end models (with a service life of 2-3 years) is between $111,111-$222,222; the price of small used laboratory models is between $69.4-$4,167. With prominent cost performance, they are favored by small and medium-sized R&D enterprises and start-up institutions.

III. Core Factors Affecting the 2026 Price Trend

(I) Upstream Industrial Chain: Moderate Cost Support and Differentiated Impact of Core Components

The upstream of twin-screw extruders mainly includes raw materials and components such as steel, motors, screw elements and gearboxes. In 2026, the overall upstream cost remained stable, forming moderate support for equipment prices. As a core raw material, the domestic steel price in China remained overall stable in 2026, with a fluctuation range of 2%-4%, which had little impact on the cost of mid-to-low-end models; the localization rate of general components such as motors and reducers has reached more than 90%, with sufficient market supply and basically stable prices.

The impact of core components on prices is differentiated: the localization substitution of mid-to-low-end components (ordinary screws, conventional gearboxes) is complete, with fierce price competition and continuous cost reduction, which indirectly eases the price pressure of mid-to-low-end models; although the localization rate of high-end components (high-precision gearboxes, wear-resistant screw elements, high-end servo systems) has increased to more than 65%, high-end bearings and intelligent control systems still rely on imports. In 2026, affected by international supply chain and exchange rate fluctuations, the price of imported components increased slightly by 3%-6%, directly leading to the price increase of high-end intelligent extruders. In addition, the application of energy-saving components such as new high-efficiency transmission systems and heat recovery technologies has not only improved the added value of equipment, but also slightly increased the production cost, promoting the slight upward trend of high-end model prices.

(II) Downstream Demand: Structural Upgrading Drives High-End Prices, and Conventional Demand Supports Mid-to-Low-End Stability

The upgrading of downstream demand structure is the core driving force for price differentiation in 2026. Traditional application fields (plastic modification, waste plastic recycling) are still the largest source of demand, accounting for about 60%, but the demand growth rate tends to be stable, mainly focusing on equipment renewal and replacement, with high price sensitivity, supporting the stable price of mid-to-low-end models; the demand in emerging application fields (new energy, biodegradable materials, medical polymer materials) has surged, with an expected compound growth rate of more than 12% in 2026. Such fields have high requirements on equipment precision, stability and intelligence level, and enterprises are willing to pay higher premiums to purchase high-end models, directly driving the strong price of high-end intelligent twin-screw extruders.

From the perspective of regional demand, the three major industrial clusters in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Bohai Rim account for more than 80% of the demand. Among them, Jiangsu, Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces in China account for more than 60% of the national capacity. The industrial supporting facilities in the region are improved and the competition is fierce, so the price of mid-to-low-end models is slightly lower than the national average level; driven by industrial policies such as new energy and automobile lightweight, the demand growth rate in central and western regions of China is significant, and the demand for mid-to-high-end models increases, promoting a slight recovery of relevant model prices in the region.

(III) Industry Competition: The Rise of Chinese Enterprises Intensifies Mid-to-Low-End Competition, and Sino-Foreign Game in the High-End Market

In 2026, the competitive pattern of China’s twin-screw extruder industry presents the characteristics of “the rise of Chinese enterprises and deep cultivation of foreign capital”, which directly affects the price trend. There are more than 180 enterprises in China with complete machine design and manufacturing capabilities. Among them, leading Chinese enterprises such as Keya, Jinwei and Tongxiang have quickly seized the mid-end market with cost advantages and customized service capabilities, and accelerated their breakthrough to the high-end market. The market share of Chinese enterprises has increased to more than 75%.

Due to the low entry threshold in the mid-to-low-end market, there are a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the competition is particularly fierce. Enterprises mainly seize market share through price wars, resulting in difficulty in rising prices of mid-to-low-end models, and even slight concessions for some models; in the high-end market, leading Chinese enterprises have gradually narrowed the gap with international leading brands through independent R&D, realized import substitution for some core models, seized market share with cost performance advantages, forcing international brands to slightly reduce prices (by about 5%-8%), but the overall price is still higher than that of similar Chinese models; at the same time, Chinese enterprises have increased investment in R&D of high-end models, promoting the steady rise of high-end model prices.

(IV) Policy Orientation: Green and Intelligent Policies Promote the Optimization of Price Structure

In 2026, relevant national policies in China indirectly guided the price trend of twin-screw extruders. Documents such as the “14th Five-Year Plan for Intelligent Manufacturing Development” and the “Action Plan for Plastic Pollution Control” clearly support the development of high-end plastic processing equipment, encourage enterprises to develop high-precision, low-energy-consumption and intelligent equipment, and provide policy support for high-end intelligent and green energy-saving extruders, promoting enterprises to increase technical investment and indirectly raising the price of high-end models; at the same time, the upgrading of environmental protection policies has promoted the gradual elimination of traditional high-energy-consumption models, and enterprises have accelerated the renewal and replacement of equipment, increasing the demand for energy-saving and environmental protection models. The price of such models is 10%-15% higher than that of ordinary models, further optimizing the price structure. In addition, the continuous implementation of the export tax rebate policy has helped the export growth of Chinese models. In 2024, the export volume reached 470 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%. Export products have transitioned to mid-to-high-end, and the average unit price has increased, which has also driven the stable operation of domestic mid-to-high-end model prices in China.

(V) Technological Iteration: Intelligence and Greenization Improve the Added Value of High-End Models

In 2026, the technological iteration of twin-screw extruders focused on intelligence and greenization, directly driving the price increase of high-end models. Digital technologies such as AI-driven process parameter self-optimization, remote operation and maintenance, and digital twins have been integrated into the whole life cycle management of equipment, improving the intelligence level of equipment. The price of such intelligent models is 20%-30% higher than that of conventional models; at the same time, energy-saving and consumption-reducing technologies have continued to upgrade. New high-efficiency transmission systems and heat recovery technologies can reduce energy consumption by 15%-20%. Green and energy-saving models are in strong demand due to their compliance with the “dual carbon” strategy, and their prices remain firm. In addition, the application of technologies such as modular design and quick screen change has improved the flexibility and applicability of equipment, increased the demand for customized models, and customized services have further improved the added value of equipment, promoting a slight increase in prices.

IV. Future Forecast of 2026 Price Trend

Combined with the current market supply and demand, cost, policy and technological trends, it is predicted that in the second half of 2026 and the next 1-2 years, the price trend of China’s twin-screw extruders will continue the trend of “overall stability and polarization”. The specific trends are as follows:

First, the overall price will remain stable with controllable growth. The price of upstream raw materials is expected to remain stable, and downstream demand will be released steadily. The balanced supply and demand pattern is difficult to break. The overall price increase will be controlled within 3%, and no significant fluctuations will occur; second, price differentiation will further intensify. The competition in the mid-to-low-end market will remain fierce, and prices will remain stable or slightly decrease. Small and medium-sized enterprises will face elimination and integration, and leading enterprises will further reduce costs with scale advantages, highlighting their price competitiveness; driven by technological upgrading, rising costs of core components and emerging demand, high-end intelligent models will maintain a moderate growth rate of 5%-8% in prices, and the price advantage of China’s high-end models will be further expanded; third, the price difference in segmented fields will be prominent. Due to strong demand, the prices of special models for new energy materials and biodegradable materials will remain firm; the price of small laboratory models will remain stable due to low technical thresholds, and the price of simple models may further decline; fourth, policies and technologies will drive the continuous optimization of price structure. With the in-depth implementation of green and intelligent policies and the acceleration of technological iteration, the proportion of energy-saving, environmental protection and intelligent models in the market will continue to increase, promoting a slight upward shift of the overall price center; fifth, the export market will drive the increase of mid-to-high-end prices. With the enhancement of the competitiveness of Chinese models in exports, export products will transition to mid-to-high-end, and the average unit price will continue to increase, which will indirectly drive the stable operation of domestic mid-to-high-end model prices in China.

V. Conclusion

The core characteristic of China’s twin-screw extruder price trend in 2026 is “overall stability and polarization”. The price range is relatively large, ranging from about $2.8 to more than $138,889, and the price difference of equipment with different categories and configurations is significant. Affected by factors such as market competition and stable raw material costs, the prices of mid-to-low-end models remain stable, and some models make slight concessions; affected by technological upgrading, emerging demand pull and rising costs of core components, the prices of high-end intelligent models are steadily rising.

For downstream purchasing enterprises, laboratory and small-batch production enterprises can give priority to cost-effective conventional Chinese models or used models to control procurement costs; large-scale production enterprises and enterprises in high-end fields can focus on China’s high-end intelligent models, taking into account both cost performance and technical stability; for production enterprises, they should increase investment in core technology R&D, promote the localization substitution of high-end components, improve the competitiveness of high-end models, and optimize production processes to reduce the cost of mid-to-low-end models, so as to adapt to the trend of upstream demand structure upgrading. In the future, with the continuous breakthrough of China’s localization technology, the continuous release of emerging demand and the continuous guidance of policies, the price structure of China’s twin-screw extruder industry will be further optimized, and the industry will enter a stage of high-quality development.