In December, it is common to see predictions about ‘what's to come’ in 2026. But in industry, the important question is not whether a technology exists: it is whether it can already be manufactured in a stable manner, with repeatable specifications, quality control and a supply chain capable of serving international markets.
This is precisely where China excels: it converts trends into industrial production at a speed that is difficult to match. Therefore, although we have already dedicated other posts to China's major technological advances, in this article we are going to look at some real examples of technologies that a few years ago were ‘difficult to industrialise’ and are now in production or scaling up in the Asian giant, together with practical insights that are important for any company considering importing and sourcing.
Flexible screens: from ‘concept’ to production lines
Flexible screens are not a futuristic promise: China has been building industrial capacity in flexible AMOLED for years. An early milestone was the commissioning of a BOE Gen 6 AMOLED line in Chengdu, presented by the company itself as the first of its kind in China.
What does this mean for 2026? It means that ‘flexible screens’ are no longer synonymous with a single product (foldable mobile phones) and are becoming a component that can be used in industrial and B2B applications when the project is well defined: curvatures, encapsulation, tolerances, thermal cycles, service life, etc.
Important for importation: in displays (and advanced electronics in general), the risk is not usually whether it can be manufactured, but rather:
- incomplete specifications.
- variation between batches
- insufficient process validation
ePaper and ultra-low power signage: increasingly ‘large format’
Another very real technology that is advancing rapidly is ePaper (electronic ink). Although many people reading this article may associate electronic ink with the famous ‘Amazon Kindle’, this technology goes much (much!) further.
In 2024, E Ink announced a partnership with AUO to develop large-format colour ePaper, combining colour modules with TFT backplane and hardware/software integration.
This opens the door to use cases that fit very well with 2026:
- signage and signage with minimal consumption
- digital labels and logistics displays
- status information in environments where it is not convenient (or possible) to power traditional screens.
In-Mold Electronics and ‘structural electronics’: when the part already has the function integrated
One of the most interesting developments—and least ‘Instagrammable’—is the integration of electronics into the product structure itself, rather than adding them later with cables, PCBs, or separate modules. Technologies such as In-Mould Electronics (IME) are described precisely as the integration of functional decoration and electronics (usually printed) into thermoformed and injection-moulded parts, generating 3D objects with embedded functions.
Why is this relevant for 2026?
- It reduces assembly (fewer parts, fewer screws, fewer connectors).
- It can improve robustness and repeatability.
- It changes industrial design: the ‘housing’ is no longer passive and becomes part of the system.
Typical import risk: If the technical definition is weak, it is easy to end up with:
- adhesion/layering problems
- thermal cycle failures
- tolerances that affect functionality
Additive manufacturing (3D): from prototypes to final parts
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has been on the market for years, but the key transition is its increasing use beyond prototyping. Industry reports point to continued growth in the global additive manufacturing market and suggest expansion in Asia, particularly in China.
This does not mean that ‘everything should be printed’, but rather that in 2026 we will see more cases where 3D printing is used for:
- final parts with complex geometries
- short/medium series without expensive tooling
- rapid iterations before moving on to a traditional process (injection, machining, etc.)
But when it comes to importing, the complexity increases. It is not just a matter of seeing a visually well-made part, but of controlling many other aspects:
- material
- process parameters
- post-processes (heat treatments, finishing)
- dimensional and functional inspection
Hybrid products: when the value is no longer in the part, but in the whole
A few years ago, importing from China often meant bringing in a part or component.
Today, more and more companies are looking for something different: a complete, ready-to-use product.
We are talking about equipment that integrates:
- mechanical structure
- electronics
- firmware
- and... a certain level of connectivity
This type of development is particularly common in areas such as Shenzhen, a city in southern China that has become one of the world's leading industrial hubs. The reason? Component manufacturers, design companies, prototyping workshops and assembly plants all coexist in the same environment. This proximity makes it possible to quickly turn an idea into a manufacturable product and make adjustments as the project progresses.
What does this mean for a European company looking ahead to 2026?
It means that it is now feasible to consider projects such as:
- industrial equipment that reports on its usage status
- machines capable of anticipating faults and facilitating preventive maintenance
- instrumentation with clearer interfaces, designed for the operator and not just for the engineer
In other words, products that not only perform a mechanical function, but also provide information and facilitate day-to-day management.
The critical point: software is also imported
This is where problems often arise. When a product includes firmware or software, importation is no longer just ‘physical’.
In practice, new questions arise:
- Who controls the firmware versions?
- How are updates managed?
- Is the system compatible with your market and regulations?
- Is there sufficient technical documentation for maintenance and support?
If these aspects are not defined from the outset, the risk lies not so much in the product as in subsequent dependence on the supplier.
Why sourcing must go beyond hardware
In hybrid product projects, professional sourcing is not limited to finding and selecting a supplier, but also involves validating processes, materials, traceability and control capabilities. In the case of hybrid products, it also involves ensuring:
- clear technical deliverables
- access to and control over firmware and documentation
- agreements on maintenance and product evolution
- and a change control system that avoids surprises after importation
Because when importing products that combine mechanics, electronics and software, what you don't see is just as important as what arrives in the container.
What differentiates an opportunity from a problem: method and control
Being manufactured in China can be synonymous with quality, but that does not automatically translate into a guarantee of success. Innovation becomes a reality when there is a sourcing strategy in place. At S³ Group, we work to ensure that your company can tackle import projects with control at every stage:
- Feasibility: assessing whether the product can be industrialised for your market (cost, regulations, risk).
- Specifications: finalise measurable requirements and acceptance criteria.
- Suppliers: search and validation (actual capacity, compliance, references).
- Negotiation: conditions, deadlines, quality, intellectual property.
- Production: monitoring and reporting.
- QA/inspections: quality control with sampling and criteria.
We are very clear that many of the technologies we will see in 2026 are already being manufactured in China today. Turning them into a competitive advantage requires a well-structured industrial sourcing process that allows for risk-free importation.
