Planetary Roller Screw Capacity Plans Exceed 1.2 Million Units: Six Gear Industry Updates, August 2026

Summary: Industry data released in early August 2026 shows domestic planetary roller screw makers plan combined annual capacity above 1.2 million units, with H1 shipments up about 2.1× year on year. An 18 MW semi-direct-drive wind gearbox prototype passed bench tests at 4,200 kN·m rated torque. The EU CBAM transitional reporting period starts in August, so gear exporters must file quarterly carbon data. Geyon Transmission (www.geyontech.com) specializes in precision gears and transmission components and offers gear parameter design and process advice based on customer duty cycles.

1. Planetary Roller Screws Become a Growth Point

1.1 H1 Shipments Reach 550,000 Units, Up About 2.1×

China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA) data updated in August shows domestic planetary roller screw shipments of about 550,000 units in H1 2026, up roughly 2.1× year on year. Most of the growth comes from humanoid robot linear actuators; a single humanoid robot uses 12–16 screws on average.

1.2 Domestic Makers Plan Combined Annual Capacity Above 1.2 Million Units

Several makers announced capacity expansion this year, with combined planned annual capacity exceeding 1.2 million units. Average prices fell from RMB 1,800 per unit in 2024 to about RMB 1,200 now. Domestic screws are getting close to imported products in lead accuracy (≤5 μm/300 mm) and endurance testing (≥10,000 km equivalent travel).

Geyon Transmission (www.geyontech.com/en/gear-products/) machines precision gears and transmission parts for planetary roller screw assemblies and offers non-standard gear parameter design.

1.3 Harmonic Reducer Orders Booked Through Mid-2027

In early August, a domestic harmonic reducer maker disclosed orders on hand of about RMB 860 million, roughly 60% from humanoid robotics, with production slots booked through mid-2027. The localization rate of harmonic reducers rose from about 42% at the start of the year to 47.8%.

2. Wind Turbine Gearboxes Keep Scaling Up

2.1 18 MW Semi-Direct-Drive Gearbox Passes Bench Tests

On August 5, CRRC said its in-house 18 MW semi-direct-drive wind turbine gearbox prototype passed type tests at 4,200 kN·m rated torque and 97.1% transmission efficiency, with a 94% localization rate. The prototype ran 1,500 hours continuously at full load; tooth pitting met the ME-level requirements of ISO 6336-5.

2.2 Bearing Localization in Large Wind Gearboxes Accelerates

The localization rate for main and planet bearings in wind turbine gearboxes reached 36% in H1 2026, up 9 percentage points from 2025. Cylindrical roller bearings from domestic makers passed 8,000-hour accelerated life tests.

Geyon Transmission (www.geyontech.com/en/precision-gears/) supplies custom medium-to-large module gears and gearbox components for wind, new energy, and industrial applications.

3. Process and Material Progress

3.1 Cold Forging Gains Share in NEV Final-Drive Gears

Cold forging and precision forging accounted for 22% of NEV final-drive gear blanks in H1 2026, up from about 9% in 2024. Material utilization rises from about 35% with machining to 72%, and per-part cycle time drops roughly 40%. The forged blanks still need carburizing after the cold-work hardening step (HRC 30–35 as-forged).

3.2 Grinding Plus DLC Coating Expands

About 1,400 CNC form gear grinders were added domestically in H1 2026. More makers combine grinding with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating for NEV final-drive gears; surface roughness stays below Ra 0.2 μm, and coated gears showed about 30% longer contact fatigue life than uncoated parts in tests.

3.3 Gearbox Condition Monitoring Penetration Reaches 58%

Online monitoring penetration for wind turbine gearboxes reached 58% in H1 2026, up 12 points year on year. Three-in-one sensor packages (vibration, oil analysis, temperature) are now common, with hardware cost per gearbox below RMB 8,000. Third-party tests put fault-warning accuracy at 86%.

4. Policy and Standards

4.1 CBAM Transitional Reporting Starts in August

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) transitional reporting began in August 2026. Importers of gears and transmission products must file quarterly carbon emission data. At the transitional carbon price of €80/ton, the estimated carbon tariff add-on is €240–360 per ton of gear products. Exporters can use the draft carbon accounting standard to prepare their data first.

4.2 Gear Carbon Accounting Standard Open for Comment Until September 30

The draft group standard “Carbon Emission Accounting Method for Gear Products,” drafted by the China Machinery Industry Federation and the China Gear Industry Association, is open for public comment until September 30, 2026. It covers raw materials, forging/casting, heat treatment, machining, and packaging, using a segmented accounting plus allocation-factor model, with publication planned for Q1 2027.

4.3 Equipment Renewal Loans Pass RMB 210 Billion

MIIT data from late July shows industrial equipment renewal special relending disbursements exceeded RMB 210 billion in H1 2026. About 15% went to gear and transmission machining firms for CNC gear grinders, hobbers, and gear measuring centers.

5. Export Data

5.1 Gear Exports Up 12% in H1

Customs data shows gear and transmission exports of about RMB 31.2 billion in H1 2026, up 12% year on year. The EU accounts for about 28% of exports; Southeast Asia and the Middle East grew 19% and 23% respectively.

6. Related Services from Geyon Transmission

For transmission needs in robotics, new energy, wind power, and industrial machinery, Geyon Transmission offers:

• Precision ground gears: DIN class 3–5, module M0.5–M20
• Robot reducer precision gears: harmonic flexspline/rigid spline, planetary ring gear/planet gear
• Wind turbine gearbox components: custom gear shafts, internal ring gears, planet carriers
• Gear design and selection consulting based on customer duty cycles

For technical documents and selection support, visit www.geyontech.com/en/ or contact the technical team at www.geyontech.com/en/contact/.

Date: August 7, 2026 | Sources: CRIA, MIIT, General Administration of Customs, China Machinery Industry Federation, China Gear Industry Association, VDW, European Commission public reports