Top 10 AC Copper Pipe Manufacturers in China

Let me ask you something—when you look at the copper tubes inside your air conditioner, do you ever wonder where they were made? Probably not. But here’s a number that might make you pause: the Asia-Pacific copper tube market was estimated at USD 9.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. And China is the beating heart of that market.

Think of China’s copper pipe industry as the global HVAC supply chain’s engine room. It’s not just that the country produces a lot of copper tube—it’s that the entire ecosystem, from copper refining to inner-grooved tube drawing to insulated line set assembly, is concentrated in one place. When a distributor in Texas or a contractor in Dubai needs a container of ASTM B280 copper tube, the odds are high that it originated in a Chinese mill.

But here’s the catch: not every Chinese copper pipe manufacturer is created equal. Some are global giants with vertically integrated supply chains and decades of export experience. Others are smaller specialists with niche expertise. Knowing the difference matters—whether you’re sourcing for a major HVAC brand or stocking a regional distribution warehouse.

So let’s cut through the noise. Here are the top 10 AC copper pipe manufacturers in China, based on scale, product quality, brand reputation, and export capability.

What Exactly Makes AC Copper Pipe Different?

Before we name names, let’s get one thing straight: “copper pipe” is not a single product. The tube inside a residential mini-split is a very different animal from the tube inside a commercial chiller. Here’s what actually matters.

Purity and Grade: It Starts with the Metal

Air conditioning and refrigeration tubing is almost always made from C12200 (phosphorus-deoxidized copper) or TP2, with a minimum copper content of 99.9%. That purity matters because it determines thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. A tube with impurities or inconsistent grain structure will transfer heat less efficiently and fail sooner under pressure cycling.

Inner-Grooved vs. Plain: The Heat Transfer Difference

Walk into any modern AC factory and you’ll see two kinds of copper tube: plain (smooth bore) and inner-grooved. Inner-grooved tube has tiny spiral fins on the inside wall, increasing surface area and turbulence to boost heat transfer efficiency. It’s the difference between a smoothie through a paper straw and a smoothie through a ribbed metal straw—same fluid, dramatically better flow dynamics. Most high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps today rely on inner-grooved tube for the evaporator and condenser coils.

Insulation and Line Set Assembly

For field-installed systems, copper tube often ships as a pre-insulated line set—a pair of tubes (liquid and suction) wrapped in foam insulation, with flared ends and nuts pre-attached. Some manufacturers, like DABUND, specialize in this finished-product approach, while others focus purely on the tube itself. The distinction matters depending on whether you’re buying raw tube for a factory or ready-to-install kits for contractors.

Why China Dominates AC Copper Pipe Manufacturing

Scale That Nobody Else Can Match

China’s top copper tube producers don’t just supply a region—they supply the world. Hailiang Group alone has copper tube shipment volumes that have ranked No. 1 globally for six consecutive years, with export volumes ranking No. 1 in China for 17 straight years. That kind of scale translates into pricing power, inventory availability, and the ability to serve thousands of customers across more than 100 countries.

A Complete Industrial Ecosystem

China isn’t just a place where copper tube gets made. It’s a place where the entire HVAC component ecosystem lives. The country is home to over 20 Hailiang production bases, multiple Golden Dragon facilities, and a dense network of insulation suppliers, fitting manufacturers, and line set assemblers. When you source from a Chinese copper tube mill, you’re tapping into a supply chain that’s already optimized for HVAC production at every step.

Export Infrastructure Built for Global Buyers

Chinese copper tube manufacturers have spent decades building export channels. Hailiang serves approximately 10,000 customers across 100+ countries. Jintian Copper covers 65 countries and regions. Hongtai exports to over 30 countries and has registered its trademark in 22 countries. This isn’t a cottage industry—it’s a mature, globally integrated export machine.

Top 10 AC Copper Pipe Manufacturers in China

1. Hailiang Group (Zhejiang)

The World’s Largest Copper Tube Shipper

If there’s a single name that defines China’s copper tube industry on the global stage, it’s Hailiang. Zhejiang Hailiang Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed subsidiary of Hailiang Group (stock code 002203), and it led the Asia-Pacific copper tube market with over 11% market share in 2024.

Hailiang’s product range covers the full HVAC spectrum: inner-grooved copper tubes, oxygen-free copper tubes, high-strength copper alloy tubes, and high-strength copper-iron alloy tubes. Its customer list reads like a who’s-who of global HVAC: Daikin, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Gree, Midea, Carrier, and Trane. The company also supplies copper tube connectors, branch pipes, and insulation materials for the aftermarket, accounting for over 20% of the overall aftermarket share.

With 23 production bases across Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa as of September 2025, Hailiang isn’t just a Chinese manufacturer—it’s a global manufacturing network with Chinese roots.

Why they made the list: The largest global market share among Chinese producers, a vertically integrated product portfolio, and a customer roster that includes virtually every major HVAC brand.

2. Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group (Chongqing / Xinxiang)

The Precision Copper Pioneer

Golden Dragon is the other half of China’s copper tube duopoly. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Chongqing’s Wanzhou district, the company is a state-controlled mixed-ownership enterprise that specializes in high-precision copper tubes for air conditioning and refrigeration. Its product lineup includes high-precision plain tubes, high-efficiency inner-grooved tubes, high-efficiency outer-finned tubes, copper-clad plastic tubes, copper alloy tubes, and copper capillary tubes.

Golden Dragon’s Xinxiang subsidiary in Henan province reported revenue of 5.747 billion RMB in 2024 and employs 684 people at that site alone. The parent group is also the only copper tube enterprise to have won a National Science and Technology Progress Second Prize, and it was designated a single-product champion enterprise by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

GD Copper’s products are the preferred choice of Gree, Midea, Haier, Hisense, AUX, Trane (USA), and LG (Korea), and the company operates GD Copper USA in Alabama, producing copper tubing for the North American market.

Why they made the list: A century-scale patent and technology portfolio, a customer base that includes the world’s largest AC brands, and a genuine U.S. manufacturing presence.

3. Ningbo Jintian Copper Tube Co., Ltd. (Ningbo)

The High-End Precision Specialist

Jintian Copper Tube, established in 2003, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ningbo Jintian Copper (Group) Co., Ltd. (stock code 601609). It’s a leading enterprise in high-end precision copper tubes for air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating, with three manufacturing bases in Ningbo, Jiangsu, and Vietnam.

Jintian’s customer list is a mirror image of its competitors’—Midea, Haier, Hisense, AUX, LG (Korea), Daikin (Japan), and Carrier (USA)—and its market coverage extends to 65 countries and regions with thousands of customers worldwide. The company is particularly known for its inner-grooved copper tubes for heat exchanger applications, and it has built a reputation for producing high-quality products at competitive prices.

Why they made the list: A publicly listed parent company, three international manufacturing bases, and a customer roster that spans every major HVAC market from Asia to North America.

4. Jiangxi Copper – JCC Longchang (Nanchang)

The State-Backed Copper Giant

Jiangxi Copper Group is a Fortune Global 500 enterprise and one of China’s largest copper producers, founded in 1979. Its copper tube arm, Jiangxi JCC Longchang Precision Copper Tube Co., Ltd., specializes in phosphorus-copper composite high-efficiency inner-grooved tubes and high-cleanliness oxygen-free copper tubes for AC and refrigeration.

JCC Longchang’s production capacity has grown aggressively: by March 2024, its annual capacity reached 90,000 tonnes, up from 36,000 tonnes just a few years earlier, after a line upgrade that lifted single-line output from 19,000 to 35,000 tonnes. Its product mix includes roughly 25,000 tonnes of inner-grooved tube and 15,000 tonnes of plain tube, with annual sales revenue in the range of 2 billion RMB at full capacity.

Why they made the list: The backing of a Fortune Global 500 copper producer, rapidly expanding AC tube capacity, and a focus on high-efficiency inner-grooved products.

5. Qingdao Hongtai Copper Co., Ltd. (Qingdao)

Shandong’s Largest Copper Tube Producer

Hongtai has been focused on copper tube production since 1993 and is now the largest copper tube manufacturer in Shandong province and the fourth largest in China, with annual capacity of 75,000 tonnes. Its product range includes high-precision R410A AC copper tubes, inner-grooved tubes, large-diameter straight copper tubes, medical gas copper tubes, and pancake coils—more than a dozen categories serving air conditioning, refrigeration, shipbuilding, and medical gas applications.

Hongtai exports to over 30 countries and regions and has registered its trademark in 22 countries. Its tubes have been used in high-profile projects including Beijing Daxing International Airport, Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital, and Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, and the company maintains long-term relationships with Gree, Midea, and Haier.

Why they made the list: Four decades of specialized copper tube production, a broad product range spanning AC and medical applications, and a track record on major infrastructure projects.

6. Guangdong Jingyi Metal Co., Ltd. (Foshan / Wuhu)

The Deep-Processing Specialist

Jingyi Metal (stock code 002295) was founded in 1999 and has built its business around a vertically integrated model: metal processing equipment → precision copper tube → copper tube deep-processing products. The company operates five proprietary continuous casting and rolling precision copper tube production lines and has an annual copper tube capacity of approximately 70,000 tonnes across its Shunde, Wuhu, and Malong facilities.

Jingyi’s inner-grooved and precision copper tubes rank among the top in China by production and sales volume, and the company supplies Gree, Midea, Hualing, Galanz, and Kelong with copper tube and deep-processed copper products. Its deep-processing capabilities—turning tube into finished components—make it a valuable partner for OEMs that want to reduce their own fabrication steps.

Why they made the list: A full from equipment to finished tube, substantial capacity across multiple provinces, and deep-processing expertise that goes beyond raw tube sales.

7. Jiangxi Naile Copper Co., Ltd. (Yingtan)

The “Little Giant” of Precision Copper

Naile Copper is a national-level specialized and sophisticated “Little Giant” enterprise and a single-product champion in Jiangxi province, founded in 2003. Its core products include oxygen-free copper seamless tubes for heat pipes, AC and refrigeration seamless copper tubes, seamless inner-grooved tubes, high-efficiency heat exchanger tubes, copper waterway tubes, and copper capillary tubes.

Naile’s annual production capacity for AC and refrigeration seamless copper tube, cable tube, and heat exchanger tube (including pancake coils and inner-grooved coils) is 30,000 tonnes, and the company holds 30 invention patents and 2 PCT patents. Its NAILE brand copper tube is used not only in air conditioning but also in AI chips, 5G base stations, and cloud servers—a testament to the precision of its manufacturing.

Why they made the list: National “Little Giant” recognition, a strong patent portfolio, and a product line that bridges HVAC and high-tech thermal management.

8. Jiangsu Cuilong Precision Copper Tube Co., Ltd. (Changshu)

The Heat Exchanger Fin Tube Expert

Cuilong is a different kind of copper tube manufacturer. Rather than competing on volume for standard AC tube, it has spent over 30 years specializing in high-performance, high-efficiency heat exchanger fin tubes—the ribbed, finned tubes that go inside condensers and evaporators. Its products cover more than 10 types and 300 specifications, serving air conditioning, refrigeration, power generation, shipbuilding, nuclear power, petrochemicals, and seawater desalination.

Cuilong is a national-level specialized and sophisticated “Little Giant” enterprise and a drafter of national and industry standards for finned copper tubes. Its single-tube comprehensive heat transfer coefficient reaches 11 kW/(m²·K), about 20% higher than comparable products, and its annual capacity is 15,000 tonnes. Notably, Cuilong’s products have replaced imported high-end heat exchange tubes from the U.S. and Germany at four of the world’s top five refrigeration and AC manufacturers’ China-based operations.

Why they made the list: Unmatched specialization in finned heat exchanger tube, standard-setting technical credentials, and a proven ability to displace imported high-end products.

9. Changzhou Dabund Pipe Co., Ltd. Changzhou)

Changzhou’s Copper Processing Veteran

Dabund Pipe was founded in 2008 and has grown into a diversified group with operations spanning copper processing, real estate, and finance. Its core products are high-precision copper tubes (inner-grooved, pancake coil, large coil, and straight tube), AC insulation tubes, copper rods and busbars, and copper-clad aluminum busbars, serving power, electronics, appliances, communications, machinery, and construction.

Dabund supplies Gree, Midea, AUX, TCL, Wanhe, Haier, ABB, and Schneider, and its export sales consistently account for 20–25% of total sales volume, with products shipped to Japan, Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. With over 1,600 employees and a long-standing position as Guangdong’s top copper processing enterprise by economic indicators, Dabund is a reliable volume supplier for distributors and OEMs alike.

Why they made the list: Three decades of manufacturing experience, a diverse product range beyond AC tube, and a consistent export track record to developed markets.

10. Changzhou Runlai Technology Co., Ltd. (Changzhou)

The Single-Site Megafactory

Runlai Technology is the newest name on this list, but its scale is anything but modest. Located in Changzhou’s West Taihu Science and Technology Industrial Park, the company operates eight precision copper tube production lines with an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes—making it the world’s largest single-site precision copper tube intelligent manufacturing base.

Runlai’s product mix is squarely focused on HVAC: high-efficiency inner-grooved heat exchange tubes, AC and refrigeration seamless copper tubes, high-cleanliness refrigerator tubes, R410A专用 tubes, and HVAC installation copper tubes. It supplies Gree, Midea, and Haier as core customers, and its inner-grooved tube holds a 31% share of the domestic Chinese market. The company was recognized as a national high-tech enterprise in 2024.

Why they made the list: The largest single-site copper tube capacity in the world, a laser focus on HVAC tube products, and a dominant domestic market share in inner-grooved tube.

What to Look for When Sourcing AC Copper Pipe from China

Standard Compliance: ASTM B280 and Beyond

If you’re buying for the North American market, ASTM B280 is non-negotiable. It specifies seamless copper tube for AC and refrigeration field service, covering dimensions, temper, and mechanical properties. Many Chinese manufacturers also comply with EN 12735-1 for European buyers and JIS H3300 for Japanese standards. Ask for a mill test certificate and verify the standard before you place a container order.

Third-Party Inspection and Certifications

Reputable Chinese manufacturers welcome third-party inspection—SGS, BV, or TÜV—and hold certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and UL recognition where applicable. H-O Products and similar Western manufacturers tout ISO certification; Chinese mills are increasingly doing the same. If a supplier resists an inspection request, that’s a red flag.

OEM, ODM, and Customization

Many Chinese copper tube factories offer OEM and ODM services—custom lengths, custom insulation thickness, private labeling, and custom packaging. DABUND, for example, explicitly markets custom branding and flexible packaging for distributors. If you’re building a house brand, asking about OEM minimum order quantities and branding capabilities should be part of your first conversation.

Logistics and Export Experience

China’s top copper tube exporters ship to 100+ countries and have dedicated export documentation teams. But copper is heavy, and freight costs matter. Ask about FOB port options (Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao), packaging standards for ocean freight, and whether the supplier has experience with your destination country’s import requirements. Hailiang’s global sales network and Jintian’s 65-country coverage are signs of mature export operations.

The Future of China’s AC Copper Pipe Industry

The Heat Pump and VRF Wave

Heat pumps and VRF systems run year-round and require more copper tube per system than a conventional split AC. As electrification accelerates in Europe and North America, demand for inner-grooved, high-cleanliness tube will continue to climb. Chinese manufacturers are already scaling capacity: Runlai’s 300,000-tonne single-site plant and Hailiang’s 23 global bases are designed to meet exactly this demand.

A2L Refrigerants and Higher Pressures

The transition to mildly flammable A2L refrigerants means system pressures are rising. Copper tube must handle higher burst pressures and tighter cleanliness standards to prevent leaks and contamination. Manufacturers that already supply R410A-rated tube—essentially all the top 10 on this list—are well-positioned to adapt, but buyers should confirm pressure ratings and cleanliness specifications for A2L applications.

Sustainability and Recycled Copper

Copper is 100% recyclable, and Chinese producers are increasingly incorporating recycled copper into their feedstock. Jintian Copper is described as one of China’s largest recycled copper processing enterprises. For buyers with ESG reporting requirements, asking about recycled content and carbon footprint data is becoming standard practice.

Conclusion: China Is Not Just Big—It’s Essential

Sourcing AC copper pipe from China isn’t a compromise. For most of the global HVAC industry, it’s the default—and for good reason. The country’s top manufacturers offer scale, standard compliance, export experience, and product depth that few other regions can match.

Whether you go with Hailiang’s global network, Golden Dragon’s precision engineering, Jintian’s high-end focus, Hongtai’s project-proven reliability, Runlai’s single-site mega-capacity, or any of the specialized players on this list, the key is to verify the standard, inspect the mill, and match the product to your application.

China’s copper pipe industry didn’t become the world’s engine room by accident. It earned that position one container at a time. The question isn’t whether you can source from China—it’s whether you can afford to ignore it.