Why Hyper-Localization is the New Playbook for International Success in China The global strategies that guaranteed success for international companies over the last two decades in China are facing a fundamental reality check.In episode #213 of the Made in China Podcast (“Die China-Formel hat sich geändert”), EAC Partner Daniel Berger joined host Thomas Derksen to unpack a crucial truth shaping international business today: Successful market strategies are no longer built on transferring global concepts, but on a deep, operational integration into local innovation ecosystems. During the discussion, one word took center stage – Localization. But what does “true” localization mean …
China Cost Optimization 2026 – Balancing competitiveness in a shifting landscape
China Cost Optimization 2026 – Balancing competitiveness in a shifting landscape The rules of competition in China have changed. Most foreign companies have not. For two decades, international companies operated in China under one assumption: Chinese manufacturers compete on price, and foreign brands compete on quality. That assumption is no longer valid. Chinese companies have graduated in technology, engineering depth, supply chain integration, and speed-to-market. The cost gap that once protected foreign margins is narrowing fast. In some sectors, it has already reversed.Download the Market InsightThe Chinese car market added 10 million units between 2020 and 2025, growing from 20 …
India’s Industrial Decarbonisation Shift: The Emerging Role of CCUS
India’s Industrial Decarbonisation Shift: The Emerging Role of CCUS The role of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is evolving rapidly from a long-term climate technology into a practical industrial decarbonisation tool. Globally, tightening carbon regulations, compliance-led carbon markets, and the limitations of electrification in addressing process emissions are accelerating adoption, particularly across hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, refining, and chemicals.Across Europe and North America, CCUS is moving from pilot-stage deployment toward commercial implementation. Industrial clusters are developing shared CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, while companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Shell, and Aker Carbon Capture are scaling commercial …
ASEAN Investment Location Compass | 2026 Edition
ASEAN Investment Location Compass | 2026 Edition For international companies committed to entering Southeast Asia, the most critical question remains where to locate? ASEAN is not a single market, but six distinct economies (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines), each with its own regulatory, cost, and industrial profile. Choosing the wrong location can result in an expensive course correction within years. Going into 2026, under the AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030, this decision is more nuanced than ever as the region transforms into a long-term industrial and digital hub.Beyond Cost Arbitrage: A New Era of Investment in ASEAN Capital flowing into ASEAN is …
India’s EV Growth Story Is Real. Its Constraints Are Structural.
India’s EV Growth Story Is Real. Its Constraints Are Structural. India is among the fastest growing electric vehicle markets globally, driven by policy momentum, OEM participation, and rising demand for sustainable mobility. India’s EV market is also scaling rapidly in absolute terms, with retail sales reaching ~2.5 mio units in FY2026, reflecting ~25% year-on-year growth, led primarily by e-2W and e-3W. However, growth is uneven. High utilisation segments are scaling faster than supporting infrastructure. Charging networks remain insufficient, and long charging cycles continue to limit vehicle uptime. At the same time, the domestic battery ecosystem is still evolving, with dependence …
India’s Sunrise Moment: A Macro Overview for Global Business Leaders
India’s Sunrise Moment: A Macro Overview for Global Business Leaders As geopolitical fault lines reshape global trade, one economy is emerging not merely unscathed but structurally strengthened. India’s combination of domestic resilience, policy-backed industrialisation, and demographic depth is drawing unprecedented attention from boardrooms across Europe, Asia, and the United States.On 27th March 2026, EAC International Consulting, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Munich and RÖDL , hosted an invite-only executive roundtable on Indian Sunrise Sectors with a focused lens on Solar PV, Battery, Semiconductor, and Green Hydrogen. The event brought together senior decision makers to deliberate on …
“India in Intralogistics – From Cost Advantage to Technology Maturity”
“India in Intralogistics – From Cost Advantage to Technology Maturity” India’s emergence is not accidental; it is built upon four strategic pillars. At the core is a 1.2 trln EUR infrastructure backbone provided by the PM GatiShakti master plan, which is rapidly modernizing the nation’s logistics connectivity. Complementing this is the regions profound cost efficiency, allowing European firms to access world-class engineering talent at only 25-30% of German cost benchmarks. This advantage is further bolstered by aggressive policy incentives, specifically the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes currently driving growth across 14 key manufacturing sectors. Finally, the global “China + 1” …
China Quo Vadis: Strategische Neuordnung eines Schlüsselmarktes
China Quo Vadis: Strategische Neuordnung eines Schlüsselmarktes Der im Rahmen der China-Reise von Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) veröffentlichte Handelsblatt-Artikel zur Entwicklung der China-Umsätze deutscher Konzerne verweist auf eine spürbare Marktverschiebung. EAC International Consulting wurde hierzu als Marktkenner zitiert. Der frühere Wachstumsmotor verliert an Dynamik, Marktanteile verschieben sich, Erfolgsfaktoren für ein erfolgreiches China- Engagement werden neu definiert. Gleichzeitig zeigt sich jedoch, dass es weniger um Rückzug als um strukturelle Neuordnung geht.Der China-Boom vergangener Jahrzehnte ist Geschichte. Mit rund 5,0 % Wachstum im Jahr 2025 und erwarteten 4,5 % im Jahr 2026 – hierin geschätzt 2,0 – 2,5 % staatlich induzierte Investitionen …
Market Intelligence: China Consumer Health
How Long Will the Rise of International Supplements in China Continue? The Chinese consumer health market has transformed dramatically over the past fifteen years. What began as informal cross-border trade has evolved into a sophisticated, bln EUR e-commerce ecosystem. Through China’s Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) model, international brands still capture the larger and more profitable share, with the United States, Germany, and Australia as the dominant import origins. On Tmall for example one of the largest Chinese e-commerce platforms, international brands command 57% of revenue whilst representing only 43% of sales volume over the past three months, demonstrating superior pricing power …
INDIA’S SOLAR MANUFACTURING PIVOT: WHY GLOBAL PLAYERS MUST ACT NOW
INDIA’S SOLAR MANUFACTURING PIVOT: WHY GLOBAL PLAYERS MUST ACT NOW India is entering a once-in-two-decades solar manufacturing supercycle. Installed capacity has expanded from 2.8 GW in 2014 to nearly 130 GW by 2025, supported by ambitious national targets and strong policy commitments. While the solar demand outlook is robust, the manufacturing landscape remains uneven with significant capability gaps in upstream segments and next-generation cell technologies. This creates a strategic window for global players to shape India’s next phase of solar industrialization.India’s Solar Growth Story: From Scale to Manufacturing Sovereignty India is now the world’s fourth largest renewable energy market and …
India’s CBG Boom: A Strategic Opportunity for Equipment Suppliers
India’s CBG Boom: A Strategic Opportunity for Equipment Suppliers Biofuels particularly Compressed Biogas (CBG), Ethanol, and Biodiesel positioned as strategic pillars in its transition towards cleaner energy by India. Currently, India has 170 CBG plants in operation and ~250 plants under development against the ambitious target of 5,000 under SATAT initiative, indicating that more than 85-90% of the targeted market is still upcoming, which presents a vast untapped growth landscape. In parallel, India’s strong push for ethanol blending (20% E20 by 2025-26) and biodiesel expansion through UCO-based feedstock procurement is also growing at an accelerating pace.Why India’s CBG Sector Is Emerging …
India’s High-Performance Coatings Market as a Growth and Manufacturing Platform for Specialty Chemical Companies
India’s High-Performance Coatings Market as a Growth and Manufacturing Platform for Specialty Chemical Companies The global coatings industry is rapidly shifting toward waterborne, low-VOC, and high-performance chemistries as sustainability regulations tighten and downstream industries demand improved environmental and technical performance. Waterborne coatings have become one of the fastest-growing global segments, supported by increasing adoption in automotive, industrial, and construction applications. The global market is expected to surpass 140 bln EUR by 2035, driven by innovation in dispersants, rheology modifiers, polyurethane dispersions, adhesion technologies, and next-generation corrosion-resistant systems—areas where established specialty chemical manufacturers continue to lead. India has emerged as one …