Located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China, Ningcheng County has quietly earned the title of the “Cat Litter Capital of China.” The county is now one of the largest producers of cat litter in the world, with an impressive annual output exceeding 2 million tonnes. It supplies nearly half of China’s cat litter market and collaborates with over 1,400 international brands, ensuring that pet lovers worldwide receive top-quality products.
Following the Chinese New Year festivities, Ningcheng’s cat litter factories quickly returned to full operation, bringing renewed energy to the industry. At Ningcheng Xingmei Technology Co., Ltd., a cutting-edge smart factory, new automated production lines have transformed the manufacturing process. From raw material input to final packaging, every step is automated, increasing efficiency and addressing the dust issues that have long been associated with traditional cat litter production. The result is a fresh, dust-free product that stands out in the market.
Wang Mingming, the company’s general manager, emphasized the importance of technological innovation in their success. “Our product pass rate has increased from 70 percent to 90 percent, meeting the stringent standards of the international high-end market,” he said. The factory now produces around 600 tonnes of cat litter daily, with 80 percent of its output destined for export.
The rise of Ningcheng’s cat litter industry is largely attributed to the region’s rich natural resources. Ningcheng holds a reserve of 16 million tonnes of bentonite, with potential reserves estimated at a staggering 2 billion tonnes. This clay’s exceptional water absorption and clumping properties make it the perfect raw material for cat litter, giving the county a competitive advantage in the industry.
In response to the growing global demand, local companies have been innovating their marketing strategies. Haisen Huachong (Inner Mongolia) Bentonite Technology Co., Ltd. has set up a global e-commerce marketing center, where over 30 live-streamers, fluent in four languages, directly engage with consumers worldwide. This strategy has introduced many international customers to Ningcheng’s high-quality cat litter.
According to the live-streamers, online sales have surged by about 50 percent following the Spring Festival, indicating the growing popularity of Ningcheng’s products.
“Ningcheng’s cat litter companies have become an integral part of the global pet supply chain,” said Zhang Wenhan, president of the Ningcheng Cat Litter Industry Association.
As the global pet economy continues to grow, local companies are shifting their focus from traditional industrial packaging to smaller, family-friendly sizes, while also developing low-dust and eco-friendly products. In 2023, the cat litter industry in Ningcheng generated a total output value of 900 million yuan (approximately 125 million U.S. dollars). This year, the county aims to increase its output value to 1.2 billion yuan and export earnings to 298 million yuan, according to local authorities.
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