As record-breaking heat waves sweep across Europe this summer, with temperatures in parts of France hitting 44.3 degrees Celsius recently and many other countries exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, demand for cooling appliances has soared. Shandong manufacturers, leveraging their integrated industry value chains, responded swiftly to the surge in orders.

Home appliances lead the charge

Customs data from Qingdao, a major coastal city of the province, shows that in May alone, Shandong's air conditioner exports to the European Union surged 52.5 percent year-on-year. Local appliance makers tailored products to meet European needs – low-energy, easy-to-install, ultra-quiet units suited for compact apartments – and secured bulk orders from municipal buildings and public schools in France, Italy, and elsewhere.

With localized R&D and consistent quality, Shandong's leading home appliance makers like Haier and Hisense are deepening their European presence with tailored products and reliable delivery, winning overseas trust.

A highlight was Hisense, a leading home appliance brand in China. It's U6 split-type air conditioner, designed for easy installation in European pre-embedded pipe scenarios, saw European sales reach 113,000 units in the first half of 2026, up 117 percent year-on-year, while global sales hit 393,000 units, soaring 230 percent.

An air conditioner counter for Shandong-based Hisense in Germany. [Photo/Shandian News]

Advanced manufacturing and green energy gain momentum

Shandong's manufacturing strength extends far beyond home appliances. The province's construction machinery sector now comprises over 300 large-scale enterprises, generating more than 210 billion yuan ($30.91 billion) in revenue across the full industry value chain. Weichai Lovol, a national leading agricultural machinery maker, commands over 30 percent of China's large and medium-sized tractor export market.

In the "new trio" of export drivers – electric vehicles (EV), lithium batteries, and photovoltaic (PV) products – Shandong's exports reached 14.23 billion yuan in 2025, up 37 percent, with EV exports surging 126 percent. Blue Carbon, a Shandong-based PV company, operates under a "reverse customization" model, designing solar storage solutions for over 100 countries and regions. Additionally, Shandong Xinneng Shipbuilding has built a 182-TEU pure-electric container vessel for France's CMA CGM, marking China's first export of an electric inland container ship.