The following is an analysis of the latest developments and technological advancements of sealing flanges in the field of auto parts foreign trade:
I. Export Market Performance and Regional Demand
China dominates the global market
China is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of flanges. In 2024, the total export volume of flanges reached 567,000 tons, with an export value of approximately 8.19 billion yuan. The main markets include Europe, America, the Middle East, Africa, and Russia, among others. In 2024, China's exports to Russia increased by 16.1% year-on-year to 36,000 tons, accounting for 6.3% of its total exports, mainly benefiting from the expansion demand for construction and oil and gas pipeline projects in Russia. For instance, the advancement of the Dongfang Petroleum project has driven the purchase of high-pressure sealing flanges.
The potential of emerging markets has been unleashed
Emerging markets such as India and Southeast Asia have become growth highlights. During the Canton Fair in 2025, Pengxin Agricultural Machinery reached a cooperation intention by exploring the Indian market, while Bohai Hardware established order connections with countries such as Peru and Iraq. In addition, Turkey exempts car manufacturers that set up factories locally from an additional 40% tariff and only levies a 10% tariff, attracting Chinese enterprises to lay out local production to reduce costs.
Ii. Policy Environment and Trade Barriers
Technical standards and tariff pressures in Europe and America
The European Union implements strict CE certification standards (EN 1092) for flange products, covering materials, dimensions, welding processes and sealing tests. Starting from May 2025, the United States has imposed a 25% tariff on imported auto parts, but parts made in Mexico that comply with the USMCA rules of origin can be exempted. This has prompted Chinese enterprises to accelerate their localization layout in North America, such as SC Zhongjie's production base in Mexico. Enterprises such as Jinwo Co., Ltd. and Liande Co., Ltd. have initiated factory construction in Mexico and are expected to start production in 2026 to avoid tariffs.
Policy adjustment in emerging markets
South Korea's "Future Automotive Parts Industry Act" came into effect in July 2025. It plans to cultivate 100 specialized enterprises and promote the transformation of traditional enterprises, with a focus on supporting the development of new energy and intelligent components, providing technical cooperation opportunities for Chinese sealing flange enterprises.
Iii. Technological Innovation and Industry Trends
New energy and intelligent drive for upgrading
The global auto parts market is transforming towards electrification and intelligence, driving technological innovation in sealing flanges. For instance, in March 2025, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) obtained a patent for a flange sealing device. By optimizing the structural design, it enhances the sealing performance and safety, making it suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature environments. Henan Likan has developed a patent for a mass flowmeter with a leak-proof structure, enhancing the sealing performance at the flange connection through airbags and a rubber injection system.
The CIPG process revolutionizes traditional sealing
The CIPG (Curing Type On-site Vulcanization Sealing Ring) process is widely used in the sealing of automotive connectors. By directly coating liquid silicone rubber on the flange surface, it achieves an integrated seal. Compared with traditional sealing rings, it saves 15% to 20% of mold costs and supports automated production. For instance, the SS8245 silicone products of Baiyun Technology have been applied in batches to the motor and electronic control systems of automakers such as Changan Automobile and Shanghai Electric Drive.
New materials and lightweight design
The application of new materials such as titanium-based composites and fluororubber has enhanced the corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance of sealing flanges. The low-pressure transformer sealing ring developed by Dongguan Xindong Rubber and Plastic adopts a composite process of fluororubber and EPDM rubber, achieving low compression set and long-term sealing stability in the air conditioning system of new energy vehicles. Meanwhile, the integration of intelligent monitoring systems (such as real-time leakage monitoring by sensors) has become a standard feature of high-end products.
