1.Deep integration of health and functionality
With the overall improvement of consumers’ health awareness, stainless steel kitchenware will upgrade from a single cooking tool to a carrier for health management. The application of antibacterial stainless steel materials will become a standard feature in the industry. By adding antibacterial elements such as copper and silver or using surface nano-coating technology, it can achieve long-term inhibition of common pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, meeting the hygiene needs of both household and commercial kitchens. Meanwhile, the trend of functional integration is significant. Smart temperature-controlled cookware will be equipped with precise temperature sensors and an APP interconnection function, enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment of cooking temperatures to prevent the generation of harmful substances due to high temperatures. The modular kitchenware set, through a modular design, integrates multiple functions such as frying, stir-frying, steaming and boiling, reducing kitchen space occupation and adapting to the kitchen scenarios of modern small-sized apartments.
2.Green environmental protection and sustainable design have become the core competitiveness
Under the impetus of the “dual carbon” policy, the industry will accelerate its green transformation. At the raw material end, the utilization rate of recycled stainless steel will increase significantly. By recycling and reusing used stainless steel products, carbon emissions during iron ore mining and smelting can be reduced. It is expected that by 2025, the utilization rate of recycled steel in mainstream enterprises will exceed 40%. In terms of production processes, environmentally friendly technologies such as laser welding and lead-free electroplating will replace traditional processes, reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In terms of product design, the detachable structure design facilitates the replacement and recycling of components, thereby extending the product’s life cycle. The application of lightweight materials will reduce transportation energy consumption, while the use of degradable packaging materials will achieve low-carbon and environmental protection throughout the entire life cycle.
3.Personalized customization and scenario-based solutions are on the rise
The diversification of consumer demands has driven the industry to shift from standardized production to the C2M customization model. Enterprises will offer personalized options such as kitchenware size, color, and handle material through online platforms, and combine 3D printing technology to achieve small-batch customized production, meeting the differentiated demands of high-end users and characteristic catering institutions. Meanwhile, scenario-based solutions have become a new growth point. The stainless steel kitchenware set specifically designed for the mother and baby group will integrate functions such as grinding, steaming, and stirring, and will be made of food-grade 316L stainless steel. Portable foldable stainless steel cookware for outdoor camping scenarios will achieve ultimate lightweight and multi-functional integration through structural optimization, making it suitable for various outdoor scenarios such as self-driving and hiking.
4.Material innovation and process upgrading drive product iteration
The research and application of new stainless steel materials will break the performance boundaries. The nano-scale stainless steel coating technology can increase the surface hardness of kitchenware by more than 50%, achieving the characteristics of scratch resistance and easy cleaning. The antibacterial and wear-resistant composite layer material, through gradient structure design, takes into account both antibacterial performance and service life. In terms of craftsmanship, precision cold forging technology will replace traditional casting processes, enhancing the dimensional accuracy and structural strength of products, and increasing the uniformity of heat conduction in cookware by more than 30%. The application of magnetron sputtering technology can form an oil-repellent coating with a lotus leaf-like effect on the surface of stainless steel, achieving an easy-to-clean effect of “no trace left after water passage”. In addition, the cross-border application of biocompatible materials, such as the introduction of medical-grade antibacterial stainless steel into the kitchenware field, will further expand the high-end market space.
5.The coordinated development of global layout and localized operation
Leading enterprises will accelerate their global strategic layout by establishing production bases in regions such as Southeast Asia and South America, taking advantage of local low-cost labor and raw material resources, avoiding trade barriers and getting closer to emerging markets. Meanwhile, the localization operation strategy has become crucial. Products that are adapted to the dietary cultures of different regions should be developed, such as built-in stainless steel oven and stove combinations for the European and American markets, and high thermal conductivity wok specifically designed for open flames for the East Asian market. The in-depth layout of cross-border e-commerce channels will shorten the supply chain, achieve local delivery through overseas warehouses, and enhance user experience. It is expected that the sales proportion of cross-border e-commerce channels will exceed 25% by 2026.
6.Branding and cultural value enhancement of premium capacity
Industry competition has shifted from price wars to brand value competitions. Enterprises will enhance the added value of their products through IP collaborations, cultural empowerment and other means. For instance, in collaboration with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage skills, the “Ancient Forging” series of stainless steel kitchenware was launched, integrating traditional pattern designs with modern functions. The national trend style design integrates traditional Chinese cultural elements into the appearance of kitchenware, creating products that are both practical and rich in cultural connotations. Brand story marketing has become an important means. By tracing the origin of raw materials and showcasing the production process of artisans, it can establish an emotional connection with consumers. The premium space of high-end brand products is expected to increase to 2 to 3 times that of ordinary products.
7.Channel transformation and service experience reconstruction of the industry ecosystem
The new retail model that integrates online and offline has become mainstream. Enterprises will build a full-channel system of “offline experience + online transaction”. Offline flagship stores will enhance consumer interaction through scenario-based display and cooking experience areas, while online, they will reach young users through live-streaming sales and short video content marketing. The service model has shifted from product sales to an integrated “product + service” model. Mainstream brands will introduce value-added services such as kitchenware maintenance, trade-in, and cooking tutorials, and establish a membership points system to enhance user stickiness. In addition, the rise of second-hand kitchenware trading platforms will improve the product life cycle service. Through professional inspection and refurbishment services, it will promote the recycling of idle kitchenware and form a sustainable business closed loop.