Current Trends and Challenges in the Global Ice Machine Industry

The global commercial ice machine industry is evolving toward intelligence, energy efficiency, Multi-functionality, miniaturization, and higher sanitation standards. The market is valued at approximately 20 billion yuan, with Chinese brands rapidly emerging alongside established international brands from Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. The industry faces challenges such as low ice-making efficiency, supply-demand imbalances, compressor frosting, and difficulty in controlling ice thickness. Meanwhile, the growing demand driven by the iced beverage market is pushing the industry to optimize design, enhance performance, and meet food safety and environmental standards.

2025-02-19 12:00:34

Current Trends and Challenges in the Global Ice Machine Industry

Current Status of the Ice Machine Industry

1. Industry Policies and Regulations

Optimize ice machine structural design and promote eco-friendly ice-making products. Comply with production regulations to enhance quality and performance. Adhere to food safety regulations to ensure the quality of edible ice.

2. Market Size and Landscape

The global ice machine market is valued at approximately 20 billion yuan. In the commercial and industrial ice machine sector, besides foreign brands such as KTI (Germany), Manitowoc (USA), Scotsman (Italy), lceman (Japan), Hoshizaki (Japan), Northstar (USA), and Geneglance (France), Chinese brands like Jiujing(HISAKAGE), Chuangli(Snooker), Xue Ren(Snowsman), and Sifang are also emerging as key players in the commercial ice machine market.

3. Application Fields

Food Industry: catering edible ice, cold chain transport, etc.; Industrial Sector: equipment cooling, etc.; Skiing and recreation field, medical field, other scientific research fields.

4. Market Pain Points and Challenges

The ice-making system has low operational efficiency, fixed ice production leading to supply-demand imbalances, compressor frosting or high exhaust temperatures, difficulty in compressor oil return, and inability to control ice thickness.

The development trend of commercial ice machine

In 2022, the global commercial ice maker market size reached 9.188 billion yuan. The market share in China was approximately 19.1%. In recent years, with the rapid development of markets such as iced coffee and iced tea, the demand for commercial ice makers has also shown a trend of rapid growth.

Intelligent and automated: With technological advancements, commercial ice makers are increasingly trending towards intelligence and automation. This includes ice makers equipped with intelligent control systems that can monitor and adjust the ice-making process in real-time, improving production efficiency and product quality.

Energy-saving and environmental protection: Energy saving and environmental protection is one of the key concerns of current society. Trends in the development of commercial ice makers include adopting more energy-efficient refrigeration technologies to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact.

Multi-functionality: As market demands continue to evolve, commercial ice makers are likely to develop towards multi-functionality. Besides making ice, they may also offer refrigeration, preservation, and cold display functions to meet the needs of various industries and places.

Miniaturization and portability: With the increase in small commercial premises, commercial ice makers may trend towards miniaturization and portability to cater to the needs of smaller businesses such as small restaurants and convenience stores.

Sanitation and safety: Food safety and hygiene are crucial considerations in the food service and food industry. Trends in the development of commercial ice makers may include a greater emphasis on product sanitation and safety, utilizing easy-to-clean, antimicrobial materials and technologies.