Is There Still a Market for Container Houses?
Container houses still have a significant market and a broad development prospect.
I. Continuous Growth in Market Demand
Strong Performance in the Export Market: In the first half of 2026, the total export value of prefabricated buildings under China's HS code 9406 reached $2.79 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45%. Steel-structured modular houses have become the main category. Overseas market demand continues to grow rapidly, especially in the high-end residential and data center sectors, which have become important sources of incremental demand.
Increased Demand Across Multiple Domestic Sectors: Purchasing entities in engineering camps, cultural tourism, emergency response, and other sectors are increasingly focusing on the recyclability and low-carbon attributes of detachable and relocatable container houses. Among orders from leading manufacturers, products with multiple reuse capabilities, cross-border compliance, and low-carbon attributes account for over 60%, becoming the mainstream procurement direction in the industry.
II. Positive Industry Development Trends
Low-Carbon Circulation Throughout the Entire Life Cycle: The popularity of compliant products that support multiple disassembly and reuse cycles is gradually increasing. Leading products can be disassembled and reused an average of more than 8 times, reducing construction waste emissions by approximately 90%, which aligns with green construction policy guidelines.
Enhanced Cross-Scenario Versatility: Through modular assembly, facade customization, and internal functional modifications, container houses have expanded from single engineering scenarios to diverse fields such as mobile commerce, cultural tourism accommodation, and emergency support, enhancing asset reuse value.
Technological Upgrades and Cost Optimization: The steel structure system enables the houses to withstand wind speeds of 120 km/h and earthquakes of magnitude 8. The factory prefabrication rate has increased to 85%, significantly shortening on-site construction periods. Steel waste has been reduced to 3%-5%, resulting in substantial savings in labor and material costs.
III. Market Size and Forecast
Huge Global Market Potential: In 2022, the global container housing market size reached 293.36 billion yuan, and it is expected to increase to 384.912 billion yuan by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 5%. Although the domestic market started relatively late, demand is growing rapidly with the emergence of scenarios such as offices, scenic spots, and homestays.
Domestic Market Exceeds 80 Billion Yuan: In 2024, the size of the domestic temporary housing market has exceeded 80 billion yuan. Downstream users have continuously raised their requirements for environmental protection, durability, and scenario adaptability, providing broad space for container houses.
