"Retrofitted Mecha" Expands New Frontiers in China-Africa Economic Cooperation

On June 13th, the Remanufactured Construction Machinery Exhibition of the Xiangtan Central International Machinery Park, part of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, was held in the Yuetang Economic Development Zone of Xiangtan City, Hunan Province. Foreign guests from 39 African countries and international organizations, along with hundreds of enterprises, participated. Chinese and foreign attendees witnessed the "showstopping skills" of the "retrofitted mecha," expressing strong anticipation for expanding China-Africa cooperation in construction machinery remanufacturing.

The Remanufactured Construction Machinery Exhibition of the Xiangtan Central International Machinery Park, part of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, takes place in Xiangtan City, central China's Hunan Province, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)
As the sole exhibition of this China-Africa Expo held outside Changsha, the remanufacturing exhibition was large-scale. The approximately 40,000-square-meter central display area showcased numerous "mecha giants" like excavators, cranes, concrete pump trucks, and loaders, all produced through remanufacturing using recycled old equipment. Their appearance is almost indistinguishable from brand-new machinery, and their performance meets the demands of various infrastructure construction scenarios. A XCMG Group operator skillfully manipulated a remanufactured excavator, using its bucket teeth to grip a calligraphy brush and neatly write "China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo" on red paper laid on the ground, drawing applause and cheers from the Chinese and foreign audience.

An operator from XCMG Group controls a remanufactured excavator using its bucket teeth to write calligraphy. (Photo by Hu Mengting)
Reporters learned from exhibition booths of companies like SANY Group that many Chinese remanufactured construction machinery enterprises have established standardized quality control processes for their "official used equipment," including "appraisal, inspection, remanufacturing, testing, and certification." They have corresponding performance grading standards and have established after-sales service networks in Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere, providing warranties and maintenance. Some companies are also introducing new energy into remanufacturing, "retrofitting" old fuel-powered machinery with permanent magnet motors, power batteries, etc. Remanufactured electric loaders can significantly reduce operating costs and pollution. Currently, the price of various types of remanufactured construction machinery is often only 50% to 70% of that of equivalent brand-new machines.
Many African business representatives showed keen interest in these cost-effective remanufactured machines. They examined product details, requested foreign-language materials, and exchanged contact information. A businessperson from Côte d'Ivoire sat in the cab to experience the driving and operation, giving a thumbs-up and praising: "Such equipment is very suitable for Africa. We want to buy it!"

African business representatives inquire at the remanufactured electric loader booth. (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)
Zhong Biao, a staff member at the remanufacturing exhibition, explained that to broaden channels for China-Africa enterprise cooperation and build bridges for production capacity cooperation in the remanufactured construction machinery sector, Xiangtan City will also host an "Approaching Africa" economic and trade matchmaking event from the 13th to the 15th. This event will organize delegations from Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Gabon to visit the park and engage in economic and trade negotiations.
Statistics show that since 2022, Africa has consistently been the largest export market for goods related to China's overseas contracted projects. In the first five months of this year, China's exports of construction machinery to Africa grew by 58.5% year-on-year. Spurred by this growth, cities like Changsha and Xiangtan have seen the emergence of several remanufacturing industrial bases for construction machinery.