As of Aug 2026 China had 42,900 ice-related companies. In 2025, 11,900 new firms
registered, up 62.08% YoY and the highest annual total in a decade. Strong
cooling and cold-chain preservation demand have pushed the industry into a
production peak with many plants running at full capacity. In Jiashan, Zhejiang,
an automated ice plant supplying East China supermarkets, convenience stores and
new-tea chains commissioned a new line this year that produces ice spheres with
roughly three-hour melt time and lifted daily capacity from 150 to 170 tons.
