1. Post-Expo Consumption Upgrade Wave

At the 7th China International Import Expo, Zhejiang Ruimai Import & Export Co. signed a ¥160 million annual contract with Portuguese brand Mootaa for specialized cleaners targeting sportswear, lingerie, and more. “Chinese consumers are shifting from generic to scenario-specific products, driving 20% annual order growth,” noted Zhang Xuefeng, the company’s representative. This trend ignited demand for deodorant sticks—valued for their portability, precise dosing, and airline compliance—surpassing traditional sprays in fitness and travel scenarios.

Simultaneously, EU’s Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) banning single-use plastic by 2030 propelled stick tubes as a compliant solution due to minimal void space (≤30%). Zhejiang import platforms reported a 35% YoY surge in urgent orders for refillable and bio-based tubes, with 527 buyers prioritizing sustainability.

2. Targeted Deodorization: From Masking to Molecular Neutralization

Consumer demand for efficacy is reshaping technology:

• Enzyme-based decomposition: Japanese ammonia-targeting enzymes break down odor molecules into water, lasting 48 hours;

• Probiotic microcapsules: European brands embed live cultures to inhibit bacteria, boosting repurchase rates by 30%.

Chinese innovations thrive too. Changshu’s sanitation department purchased AirSolution deodorant (¥60/L) using nanocapsules for adsorption-decomposition synergy, securing a ¥120,000 bid. Functional deodorant sticks will hit ¥5 billion by 2025, with patented tech commanding 25%+ premiums.

3. Agile Supply Chains: Delivering Urgency

Three capabilities enable rapid response:

1. Modular production: Dongguan Dingliteng’s lines switch tube specs within 48 hours, supporting orders as small as 500 units;

2. Green material readiness: Bio-based plastics (e.g., DuPont SURLYN) cut degradation cycles from 200 years to 6 months, meeting EU’s ≥35% recycled content rule;

3. Digital procurement: Platforms like Odoo integrate suppliers (raw materials, logistics), slashing lead times to 7 days.

4. Social Anxiety Dividend: The “On-the-Go Deodorant Economy”

Post-pandemic sensitivity to body odor surges:

• 76% of Gen Z consider scent crucial to social image;

• Portable deodorant usage in gyms/metros rose 41%.

Brands leverage emotional connections. “Jingran” engraved “Boost Your Confidence” on tubes, lifting Tmall conversions by 18%, while Yiwu exporters customized halal-certified rose sticks for Middle Eastern clients, securing $2 million monthly orders.

Conclusion: The Big Revolution in Small Tubes

As 527 urgent orders flood global supply chains, custom deodorant sticks epitomize the convergence of agile manufacturing, green compliance, and emotional consumption. Tomorrow’s winners will be those who pack molecular tech into a tube and respond to global demand within hours—mastering the trillion-dollar “scent economy.”