SHENZHEN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The global flame
machine industry is undergoing a comprehensive transformation driven by technological breakthroughs, stringent environmental regulations, and expanding application scenarios across civil, industrial, and agricultural sectors. From plasma-powered household stoves to pollution-controlled industrial burners and eco-friendly agricultural weeders, flame machines are evolving toward intelligence, cleanness, and multi-scenario adaptability, with the global market size expected to reach 253.7 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, according to latest industry reports and enterprise innovations.
The civil sector is witnessing a revolution in clean energy application, led by plasma flame technology. Shenzhen-based Xingyu Electric Flame Technology launched its 5th-generation plasma flame stove, which generates high-temperature flames using plasma technology with only a 220V power supply, eliminating the need for traditional fuels like natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas 1. This innovation not only eliminates gas leakage risks but also reduces reliance on fossil energy, aligning with global energy transition goals. "The flame temperature can reach 1200℃, meeting Chinese consumers' demand for high-heat stir-frying, while avoiding the drawbacks of induction cookers such as uneven heating and pot restrictions," said Lin Minghan, Chairman of Xingyu Electric Flame 1. The company, which has accumulated over 100 patents in the field, plans to sell over 1 million units in 2025 and establish cooperation with distributors in more than 2,000 districts and counties 1. An outdoor version tailored for new energy vehicle users has also been launched, enabling cooking via vehicle discharge or portable power supplies 1.
Industrial flame machines are upgrading rapidly to meet strict environmental standards. In manufacturing workshops, CNC plasma flame cutting machines are now equipped with cartridge-type dust removal equipment, achieving a 95% waste gas collection rate and ensuring unorganized emissions meet the limit of ≤1.0mg/m³ as specified in China's GB16297-1996 standard 2. In the waste tire recycling industry, combustion machines are used to treat non-condensable gases generated during pyrolysis, with flue gas processed through "SDS dry desulfurization + bag dust removal + SCR denitration" technology before emission, complying with multiple national pollutant discharge standards 6. Globally, leading enterprises such as Germany's Weishaupt and Italy's Riello are focusing on intelligent combustion control systems, which adjust combustion processes in real time based on monitoring data to improve efficiency and reduce emissions 4. The integration of industrial Internet and IoT technologies has also enabled remote monitoring and predictive maintenance of industrial flame machines, reducing operational costs by 20-30% 4.
Agriculture has emerged as a new growth engine for flame machines, with eco-friendly weeding solutions gaining popularity. Flame weeding technology, which carbonizes weeds at high temperatures without chemical residues, is rapidly being adopted in high-end orchards across China, following decades of application in Europe and the United States 5. This method not only avoids soil degradation caused by herbicides but also protects fruit tree roots and preserves soil microbial activity 5. For orchard operators, the long-term benefits are significant: fruits produced with flame weeding can achieve a 30-50% price premium in the high-end market, and fruit tree productive life can be extended by 5-8 years 5. The technology has expanded from tree disk weeding to inter-row operation, greatly improving efficiency compared to manual weeding 5.
Policy support and market demand are dual-driving the industry's green transition. China's environmental regulations mandate strict control of exhaust emissions from industrial flame equipment, while the "dual carbon" goals encourage the development of clean energy alternatives 26. In Europe and North America, high environmental standards have promoted the development of efficient and low-emission flame machines, with mature markets accounting for a large share of the global industry 4. The global combustion machine market, a key segment of the flame machine industry, is projected to grow from 205.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 to 253.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2026, driven by industrialization and energy efficiency needs 4.
Despite robust growth, the industry faces challenges including high R&D costs for advanced technologies and uneven development across regions. Small and medium-sized enterprises often struggle to keep up with technological upgrades and environmental compliance requirements. Industry experts emphasize that future development will focus on three core areas: deepening the integration of AI and plasma technology to improve product performance, developing more energy-efficient and low-emission solutions to meet global environmental standards, and expanding applications in emerging fields such as new energy and organic agriculture. Enterprises that grasp the trends of intelligence and sustainability are poised to gain a competitive edge in the transforming market.
