Inside China's smart manufacturing: ceramics of Jingdezhen

NANCHANG, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Jingdezhen, known worldwide as China's "porcelain capital," is revitalizing its centuries-old ceramics industry through digitalization and smart manufacturing.

Once reliant on 72 intricate steps and skilled craftsmanship, the porcelain production process at the intelligent workshop is now increasingly automated with smart production lines, AGV robots, and intelligent kilns, resulting in higher efficiency and precision.

Production steps here have been slashed by one-third, labor efficiency has risen by 40 percent, and the deformation rate in finished products has dropped from 6 percent to 0.8 percent. A fully automated glazing line at the workshop can now process up to 1,500 pieces an hour. Porcelain products made here are exported to markets including Britain, Russia and Malaysia.

This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2026 shows ceramic products made by an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2026 shows an automated rolling line at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2026 shows a dry-powder forming production line at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2026 shows an automated glazing line at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) transports materials at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, Sept. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2026 shows an electric kiln at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Staff members view a smart production control screen at an intelligent workshop in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, Sept. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)