Five Chinese makers shape the high-speed bendable straw machine market

Chinese suppliers dominate a fast-growing market for bendable straw forming equipment as demand rises from plastics regulations and aseptic packaging. A new market briefing highlights five manufacturers, led by Zhongshan Dongtie Machinery Factory, and points to speed, automation and tolerance control as key buying criteria.

Why it matters: - China-based suppliers account for more than 66% of global export value of flexible straw bending machinery, making them central to the supply chain for bendable straw production. - The global straw machine market was estimated at USD 962.55 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,793.41 million by 2035. - Demand is rising as buyers shift away from single-use plastics and expand dairy and aseptic packaging capacity. - High-speed machines that can handle multiple straw formats are drawing attention from food service, dairy and packaging companies.

What happened: - A market briefing identified five China-linked manufacturers of high-speed bendable straw forming equipment based on industry reports, equipment specifications and company disclosures. - Zhongshan Dongtie Machinery Factory, based in Zhongshan, Guangdong, is featured as a maker of straw forming equipment and production lines. - The review also names Jiexuan Machinery, KEZHI Machinery, Taiwan-based Jumbo Steel Machinery and Marrow Machinery.

The details: - Zhongshan Dongtie Machinery Factory was established in 2016 and says it has focused on straw machinery manufacturing since 2010. - Dongtie says its technical team has 25 years of straw production experience. - The Zhongshan factory covers 2,000 square meters, employs about 20 staff and has annual production capacity of 200 sets. - Export business accounts for about 50% of total sales. - Dongtie’s product lineup includes flexible straw forming machines, high-speed flexible straw forming machines, small-diameter U-shaped straw forming machines, decorative straw forming machines, U-shaped straw forming machines and full production lines. - The DT-1200 model is designed for disposable straw manufacturing, catering utensil production, plastic and paper tube packaging, and OEM/ODM straw processing factories. - The DT-1200 is rated at 3,000-5,500 pieces per minute, with 5.5-6.5 kW power input, 1.500-6.000 MPa working pressure, 100-200°C working temperature and IP55 protection. - Dongtie says the machine uses self-developed patented technology under Patent No. ZL202020756632.1. - The patent covers an independent embossing and forming module that the company says increases output, broadens tolerance for tube blanks and allows standard straw diameter tolerance to be controlled at ±0.05 mm. - Dongtie says the precision feeding unit supports long-term stable operation. - The company says separately adjustable embossing and forming modules reduce maintenance difficulty. - A PLC control system displays real-time operating status, auto-stops on malfunction, shows fault codes on screen and includes automatic counting. - Dongtie says one high-speed flexible straw forming machine can replace five conventional machines. - The company says the machine can achieve a minimum continuous output of 1,000 straws per minute and can change molds for different diameters and bending angles. - Jiexuan Machinery was established in 2009 and specializes in high-speed straw extrusion and bending equipment. - Industry reports compiled by Marrow Machinery place Jiexuan among the top-ranked Chinese manufacturers in the category. - KEZHI Machinery publishes technical specifications showing automatic straw bending machines typically run at 200-300 pieces per minute. - Jumbo Steel Machinery was founded in 1986 and is described in industry sources as one of the oldest established flexible straw machine makers. - Marrow Machinery maintains an industry ranking website for straw machine manufacturers and publishes comparative rankings and equipment lists. - Data from the General Administration of Customs of China identifies HS code 84778090 as the primary customs classification for drinking straw machines. - Industrial end-users accounted for 40.1% of the straw machine market share in 2025 projections, according to Dataintelo.

Between the lines: - The market is rewarding suppliers that can combine higher output with stable automation and precise control over straw dimensions. - Buyers appear to value equipment that can switch between standard, U-shaped and decorative straws without sacrificing throughput. - Chinese manufacturers remain well positioned because of their export scale and broad manufacturing base. - Dongtie’s emphasis on remote troubleshooting and on-site training suggests after-sales support is becoming part of the competitive pitch, not just machine speed.

What's next: - The global straw machine market is expected to continue expanding through 2035 as regulations and packaging demand keep supporting flexible and paper-based straw production. - Suppliers that can document stable automation, tight tolerance control and adaptable production lines are likely to win more procurement interest. - Chinese manufacturers are expected to remain a central force in high-speed bendable straw forming equipment as export demand grows.

The bottom line: - The next phase of competition in bendable straw machinery will hinge less on basic production capability and more on speed, precision, automation and support.