Prospects of Overseas Prefabricated Housing
The prospects for overseas prefabricated housing are quite broad, as evidenced by the following aspects:
Continuous Growth in Market Size: Market research institutions predict that by 2030, the global modular construction market will exceed $142.8 billion, reaching the scale of trillions of RMB. This data indicates that prefabricated housing is entering a period of rapid development globally, with enormous market potential.
Strong Overseas Demand: From export data, in the first four months of this year, Chinese enterprises exported modular buildings worth 1.68 billion yuan through Shenzhen ports, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%. These exports covered more than 150 countries and regions, including elderly care apartments, data centers, and hotel projects. On the demand side, the United States faces a housing shortage of over 4 million units, Europe is replenishing its affordable housing stock, and the expansion of AI computing power is driving demand for data centers. Traditional civil construction has long cycles, while prefabricated housing can meet the need for rapid construction.
Significant Cost and Efficiency Advantages: Overseas labor costs are high, with an aging and scarce workforce in the construction industry. Labor costs for a house can account for up to 60% of the total cost, and local construction costs in Australia and Europe are often three to five times those of Chinese solutions. Chinese modular construction moves most processes into factories in advance, achieving millimeter-level precision and demonstrating clear cost and efficiency advantages. For example, the Indonesian modular dormitory project took only two months from arrival at the port to installation and delivery, compared to the typical two years required for local traditional construction, representing a 90% reduction in construction time.
Increased Recognition by International Standards: Companies such as China State Construction Engineering Corporation and CIMC have obtained EU and Middle East certifications, indicating that international standards are beginning to accept Chinese solutions, removing some barriers to the export of Chinese prefabricated housing.
Outstanding System Capability Advantages: Chinese-made prefabricated houses are not just about selling containers; they offer a full-chain service, including design, production, shipping, hoisting, and operation and maintenance. Clients only need to present their requirements, and the Chinese team will deliver a turnkey solution, a model with strong competitiveness.
Increased Policy Support: Taking Australia as an example, by 2026, its residential construction market will pay even greater attention to prefabricated and modular buildings. The New South Wales Parliament has passed a new building reform bill, establishing a clearer regulatory framework for prefabricated housing and modular construction, sending positive signals.
