(Consumer Daily News, Reporter Chen Lin) Once considered a special commodity that was difficult to bring into the open, adult products are now experiencing unprecedented development opportunities driven by consumption upgrades and technological innovation. According to the latest data from China Consumer Goods Industry Association, China's adult products market exceeded 180 billion RMB in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 25%, with smart products accounting for over 40% of the market for the first time.

At a smart factory in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, fully automated production lines are busy producing new products for European and American markets. "We invested 50 million RMB to introduce German intelligent production lines, achieving a product qualification rate of 99.9%," said factory general manager Wang Wei. The company has obtained ISO9001 quality management system certification and CE certification, with products exported to more than 60 countries and regions worldwide.

Industry R&D investment continues to increase. In 2023, leading enterprises allocated an average of 12% of revenue to R&D, up 7 percentage points from 2020. "Our new antibacterial material developed in cooperation with Tsinghua University's School of Materials Science has obtained national invention patents," revealed a technical director of a listed company. The industry now files over 1,500 patent applications annually, with invention patents accounting for 45%.

Market research shows significant changes in consumption structure:

 increased from 25% in 2018 to 48% in 2023

 (aged 60+) grew by 200% year-on-year

 (priced above 3,000 RMB) showed remarkable sales growth

"This reflects both evolving social attitudes and consumption upgrades," analyzed a consumer market expert.

Customs data shows that China's adult product exports reached 8.56 billion RMB in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 92%. On international e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay, Chinese smart products ranked among the top three in their category. "We expect overseas business to exceed 50% of total revenue this year," said a cross-border enterprise executive.

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued the mandatory national standard "General Technical Requirements for Adult Product Quality and Safety," set to take effect in July 2024. Meanwhile, leading companies have jointly established group standards with detailed regulations on material safety, electrical performance, and user experience.

Green concepts are gaining popularity:

A well-known brand's eco-friendly product line, made from plant-based materials, received positive market feedback after launch.

To meet industry demands:

"Industry talent demand is expected to grow by 300% in the next five years," said an HR expert.