Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Environmental Protection jointly issued the "Catalog of Environmental Protection Industry Equipment (Products) Encouraged for Development by the State (2010 Edition)." The catalog shows a significantly higher number of bag filters for air pollution control compared to electrostatic precipitators, and it also includes hybrid electrostatic-fabric precipitators. Hou Yuxuan, a researcher in the environmental protection industry at China Investment Consulting, pointed out that influenced by this policy, the dust removal equipment industry is poised for a technological transformation.
It is pointed out that for a long time, electrostatic precipitators and bag filters have been evenly matched, with each having its own merits in terms of sales. In recent years, as steel prices have risen, the cost of electrostatic precipitators has increased, leading to a decline in sales. In contrast, bag filters have seen continuous growth, with exports exceeding $200 million even under the challenging circumstances of the financial crisis, demonstrating significantly stronger development compared to electrostatic precipitators. Considering the parameter characteristics of both devices, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Any technical reference or modification could have a substantial impact on the dust removal equipment industry. The catalog explicitly mentions hybrid electrostatic-fabric precipitators, indicating an urgent need for technological upgrades in current dust removal equipment.
Across the entire market, electrostatic precipitators face overcapacity, with exports accounting for over 76%. Due to issues such as an imperfect market mechanism, disorderly competition, and difficulties in capital flow, despite their high efficiency and low energy consumption, electrostatic precipitators have not gained widespread application. In contrast, baghouse dust collectors are experiencing a surge in technological upgrades, with various high-efficiency and research institutions joining the research efforts, aiming to seize the market's high ground through innovative technologies.
According to the "2010-2015 China Environmental Protection Equipment Industry Investment Analysis and Prospect Forecast Report" released by China Investment Advisors, in the development of environmental protection equipment in recent years, air and water pollution control equipment have been the main products, accounting for over 40% of the total annual value of environmental protection products respectively. Such enormous development potential stimulates innovation and reform in dust removal equipment technology, making a major technological revolution an inevitable trend in the future.