By Kari Williamson

The output of powder metallurgical machinery parts in China hit 85,980 tonnes in the first half of 2011, and the sales volume realised 81,213 tonnes, up 16.8% and 12.8% year-on-year respectively.

For the full year 2010, the automotive output of China hit 18.2647 million, up 32.44% year-on-year. According to CMPMA, the sales volume of powder metallurgy auto parts in 2010 realised 65,608 tonnes, up 52.4% year-on-year.

With accelerated industrialisation of clean electric vehicle, the consumption of powder metallurgy composite materials will be several times of the present level, indicating huge market potential, Research and Markets says.

NBTM New Materials Group alone saw sales of powder metallurgy auto parts exceed RMB3.9 billion in 2010, up 49% year-on-year, accounting for more than 44% of its total sales revenue. In H1 2011, the company's sales volume of powder metallurgy products totalled 19,842.9 tonnes.