From AI chips and edge computing platforms to advanced insulation materials and next-generation compressors, the upstream supply chain emerged as one of the biggest stories at Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE) 2026, held in Shanghai from March 12–15. After years of tracking supply-chain technologies at AWE, China Appliance identified four defining trends at this year's exhibition: AI technologies are rapidly integrated into home appliances; energy-efficiency technologies continue to advance steadily; alternative materials are moving into commercial deployment; integrated solutions are becoming the industry’s preferred development model.

AI Expands Beyond Smart Features into Core Hardware

One of the most visible characteristics of AI-powered home appliances at AWE 2026 was their increasingly natural conversational capability. However, delivering responsive and seamless voice interaction depends as much on the underlying semiconductor, module and algorithm technologies as on the AI applications themselves. At AWE 2026, LISTENAI presented its multimodal companion AI solution, integrating speech understanding, computer vision and context-aware interaction technologies. The solution allows devices to go beyond basic voice commands by combining audio and visual inputs to perceive users’ real-time conditions and deliver more personalized responses. With support for dialect-based interaction and cloud-edge MCP tool integration, the platform enables more natural and intelligent human-machine experiences. Meanwhile, Quectel introduced a new audio module designed to improve voice interaction. Powered by localized AI algorithms, the module integrates environmental sensing, offline voice control and noise suppression technologies to enhance speech recognition accuracy.

Beyond voice interaction, AI appliances increasingly rely on perception, reasoning and learning capabilities. These functions require a combination of microcontrollers (MCUs), edge system-on-chip (SoC) processors and other chips. MCUs continue to handle latency-sensitive and low-power control tasks such as motor control, temperature management and sensor data acquisition, while AI-enabled SoCs integrate CPUs, GPUs and NPUs to execute large language models, multimodal perception and advanced semantic understanding. At AWE, ESWIN Computing presented a portfolio of RISC-V-based AI edge computing SoCs alongside Wi-Fi, RF, MCU and MNT Scaler solutions. Gree also showcased its proprietary EAi chip, which integrates advanced AI algorithms to enable low-power, high-efficiency intelligent control, user interface interaction, and image and speech processing.

Other semiconductor suppliers including GigaDevice, Puya Semiconductor and BPS also displayed MCUs, power management chips and other semiconductor products designed for next-generation appliances.

Connectivity serves as a foundational pillar for AI-enabled appliances, with IoT technologies acting as the “connectivity hub” and “data pipeline” that enable device interconnection, data exchange and intelligent collaboration. MXCHIP, a provider of intelligent IoT system solutions, showcased its EMC6063 AI display-and-control core module, featuring edge-cloud integrated AI capabilities, a comprehensive feature set, plug-and-play deployment and multimodal interaction. Supporting Bluetooth-based network provisioning and integrating large language models (LLMs) such as Qwen, Doubao AI and DeepSeek, the module enables advanced capabilities including complex intent understanding, knowledge-based reasoning and decision-making, emotional interaction and personalized learning. 

Within the IoT ecosystem, wireless short-range communication technologies are emerging as a new connectivity category designed to overcome the limitations of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in scenarios requiring ultra-low power consumption, high device concurrency, high precision and low latency. At AWE 2026, HiSilicon showcased its OpenHarmony-based NearLink unified intelligent connectivity solution, enabling rapid cross-device discovery and password-free network provisioning. The solution supports IoT terminals across brands and product categories, enabling seamless connectivity, centralized management, maintenance and online upgrades.

Energy Efficiency Remains a Core Industry Priority

At AWE 2026, green and energy-efficient technologies remained a key theme driving the development of the home appliance and consumer electronics industries. As critical components in home appliances, compressors, motors and valve manufacturers continue to contribute to the advancement of more efficient and sustainable products.

Energy savings in compressors are primarily achieved through improved efficiency. Leading refrigerator compressor manufacturers, including Jiaxipera, GMCC, Donper, Qianjiang Refrigeration, Embraco, Wanbao, Danfu and Rechi, gathered at AWE 2026 to showcase their latest energy-efficient solutions. Among the highlights was GMCC’s ultra-high-efficiency variable-speed reciprocating compressor, which achieves a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.33 under standard test conditions. The compressor is widely applicable to premium refrigerators, energy-saving refrigeration systems and smart appliances, supporting the industry's transition toward higher efficiency, lower carbon emissions and quieter operation.

The green transformation of compressors is reflected not only in the adoption of environmentally friendly refrigerants but also in the broader application of renewable and low-carbon energy technologies. Among eco-friendly refrigerants, hydrocarbon refrigerants represent an important pathway toward greener refrigeration. At AWE 2026, Qianjiang Refrigeration, Highly and GMCC showcased compressors using next-generation refrigerants such as R290 and CO₂. Meanwhile, Rechi presented compressors for heat-pump dryers, heat-pump water heaters and heat-pump heating systems, helping accelerate the adoption of green energy technologies in the appliance industry.

Meanwhile, leading motor suppliers including Welling, Nidec, JEAMO, Nanyang Motor, Kening Motor and LT Motor, along with valve steel manufacturers such as Alleima and voestalpine, also participated in AWE 2026, showcasing technologies that support the energy-saving requirements of inverter-driven appliances.

MCUs can further enhance motor energy efficiency through more precise control. GigaDevice introduced its GD32M531 series 32-bit microcontroller, specifically designed for motor-control applications. Based on an Arm® Cortex®-M33 core, the MCU integrates dedicated hardware accelerators for motor control and highly integrated peripheral resources. With strong computing performance, precise control capabilities and industrial-grade reliability, the MCU enables accurate dual-motor and power factor correction (PFC) control, providing high-efficiency and cost-effective solutions for motor-driven applications including outdoor air-conditioning units, air-source heat pumps, washing machines and dryers, dishwashers and multi-zone induction cooktops.

Thermal insulation materials are critical components in appliances such as refrigerators and water heaters, playing a key role in improving energy efficiency. At AWE 2026, polyurethane material suppliers and vacuum insulation panel (VIP) manufacturers showcased their latest innovations. Super Tech and Micolon both presented VIP solutions, with Super Tech achieving a thermal conductivity below 1.5 mW/m·K, helping meet the requirements of new refrigerator energy-efficiency standards. In polyurethane materials, Yadong Group introduced ultra-low thermal-conductivity foaming technology based on specialty polyether formulations and low-K-value blowing agents. Through precise catalyst balancing and microstructure optimization, the technology suppresses heat transfer and achieves thermal conductivity of ≤17 mW/m·K, improving overall appliance energy-efficiency ratings and enabling long-term energy savings.

Material Substitution Accelerates Across the Appliance Industry

Material substitution is emerging as a significant trend across the home appliance and consumer electronics industries. On one hand, manufacturers are expanding the application of advanced materials to enhance product efficiency and performance. On the other hand, companies are taking a broader strategic approach to resource security by replacing scarce materials with more abundant alternatives, strengthening supply-chain resilience while improving resource utilization efficiency.

In recent years, third-generation semiconductor technologies represented by silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) have advanced rapidly and are being increasingly adopted in the home appliance industry, gradually replacing conventional silicon-based semiconductor technologies in suitable applications.

At AWE 2026, Gree showcased its SiC-powered air-conditioning products. At the exhibition, Gree presented a complete portfolio of SiC power semiconductor devices. According to the company, leveraging the intelligent manufacturing capabilities of its electronic components super factory, Gree has achieved mass production of a full range of SiC Schottky barrier diode (SBD) wafers and devices, as well as SiC MOSFET wafers and devices. The products cover medium- and high-voltage ratings including 650V, 1200V and 1700V, and can be widely applied in home appliances, photovoltaics, energy storage systems, charging infrastructure, new energy vehicles and industrial power supplies. Gree has integrated all-SiC power devices into its next-generation air-conditioning products, delivering comprehensive improvements in energy savings, operational reliability and power quality. The company reported that these upgrades significantly enhance overall system energy efficiency, reduce temperature rise of key components by more than 10°C, and extend product lifetime and system operating stability. Meanwhile, KIWI introduced its next-generation KP88C76X intelligent fully integrated SiC motor-control chip. Designed specifically for intelligent motor applications, the chip adopts an innovative three-in-one architecture integrating an MCU, high-voltage pre-driver and SiC power device. It features high integration, excellent thermal performance, high reliability and flexible control modes.

While crystalline silicon photovoltaic technology faces efficiency limitations, perovskite photovoltaic technology offers higher efficiency potential and represents a promising direction for future solar applications. At AWE 2026, TJ-Solar showcased its core perovskite photovoltaic technologies and full-scenario application solutions. Among the highlights was its energy solution for smart locks, featuring photovoltaic modules compatible with ecosystems from major smart-home and appliance brands such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Midea and Haier. The solution addresses user pain points associated with frequent charging and battery replacement for smart locks. TJ-Solar also presented energy solutions for smart home terminals, covering products such as electronic paper displays, solar-powered remote controls, smart temperature and humidity sensors and human-presence detection night lights. These devices can operate continuously under standard indoor lighting conditions, significantly reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Rising copper prices have elevated “aluminum replacing copper” from a material substitution strategy into a strategic choice related to industrial security and sustainable development. At AWE 2026, Highly introduced its inverter-driven aluminum-wire compressor technology, which redesigns the motor topology, optimizes the proportion of copper and iron losses, and effectively compensates for the higher electrical resistivity of aluminum. By applying AI-based motor optimization algorithms, the technology achieves an optimized distribution of copper and iron losses, maximizing resource utilization efficiency.

Integrated Solutions Gain Momentum from Components to Complete Systems

Integration emerged as another major theme at AWE 2026, taking shape in two key areas. On one hand, technology leaders with strong integration capabilities showcased a broad portfolio of components, providing one-stop solutions to meet the needs of appliance manufacturers. On the other hand, companies introduced integrated products that combine multiple functions into single components or systems, reducing costs while simplifying product design.

In terms of one-stop supply-chain services, the SERI refrigeration industry supplier ecosystem brought together 17 Chinese and Korean member companies at AWE 2026, including Higasket, Super Tech, KIND, SEGOS, DUAL POWER, EP TECH, DGT, DAECHANG, Designnext, DMS Korea, AIM TECH, POS Chemical, Stormtec, Taixin Motor, HANKYUNG, IDC and Newmotech. The participating companies showcased advanced technologies across multiple upstream refrigeration appliance segments, including sealing and insulation, motion components, color-material-finish (CMF), electronic controls, electrical components, new materials and industrial design. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, the ecosystem provided new ideas for innovation and upgrading across the appliance industry chain.

At AWE 2026, Gree presented a comprehensive showcase of industrial products and intelligent equipment, demonstrating its capabilities across the entire technology chain — from semiconductor technologies that provide foundational support, to the deployment of embodied intelligent robotic arms in practical scenarios, and to end-to-end intelligent manufacturing at semiconductor super factories. The exhibition highlighted Gree’s transformation from a consumer appliance manufacturer into a broader industrial technology enterprise.

In the area of integrated products, Fosensor and Cubic introduced integrated air-quality sensors. Among them, Cubic’s AM2020 integrated air-quality sensor can monitor and output multiple air-quality parameters in real time, including PM2.5, PM10, PM1.0, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature and humidity. Featuring a compact design, comprehensive functionality and high cost efficiency, the sensor provides appliance manufacturers with an integrated solution for developing smarter indoor air-quality management systems.