On 20 April, the second forum of Global Sources Mobile Electronics Show was held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong! Excellent peer representatives from the technology and electronics industry gathered together, C&T founder Mrs. Zhong was invited to give a speech on the theme of “How can innovative design multiply business performance” at the forum of Global Sources Mobile Electronics Show, discussing how to seize the future opportunities through innovative design.
She emphasised that in today’s fast-paced world, it is very importance to incorporating innovative design into product design. There are three directions of innovative design: firstly, innovation in function; secondly, innovation in product design; and thirdly, innovation in product materials. Taking the global environment and market changes as the starting point and C&T as an example, Mrs Zhong elaborated in-depth on how to innovate from the product materials in order to adapt to the rapid changes of the present era, seize the opportunities and help the brand to develop rapidly.
Global Environment and Market Data
According to IDC, 1.17 billion smartphones were shipped worldwide in 2023. 8.5% year-on-year growth was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, with shipments reaching 326.1 million units, higher than the previously expected growth of 7.3%. As Counterpoint’s projections, folding screen continues to be hot, cell phone manufacturers diversify the layout of market segments.
The global cell phone accessories market size also reached USD 251.74 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 332.39 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 4.75%. These figures fully illustrate the huge size and continuous growth of the cell phone accessories market.
Mrs Zhong fully illustrated the huge scale and continuous growth of the mobile phone accessories market through the data of mobile devices. Then with such a huge scale and growth, design and innovation become the pain points for consumer groups and consumption scenarios.
According to GWI data, the share of Genz among global mobile users has risen for five consecutive years, accounting for nearly 30%, and is gradually becoming the industry’s main consumer force. They are changing global brand design and business strategies. Grasping the characteristics of consumers in the Z era is the prerequisite and foundation for product design.
Globally speaking, while smartphones are leaping from feature phones, cell phone case products are also iterating and upgrading, from basic protection, appearance and material improvement to comprehensive functional evolution. Cell phone cases have gradually become a “necessity” for users.
Developing to the 3.0 era, consumers now use cell phone cases that can basically meet the general anti-drop, thin and light and overall better appearance design; but the pain points of getting dirty/ yellowing/ easy to wear and tear still exist; at the same time, the demand for heat dissipation/ upgraded protection/bracket magnetism and the feel of the bare phone is beginning to come to the fore. There are differences in consumer focus in different countries.
The Importance of Innovation design
“We attach great importance to the cultivation and application of innovative thinking and continuously improve our innovation capabilities”, Mrs Zhong said.
Innovation in design can not only enhance the added value and competitiveness of cell phone accessories, but also bring consumers a better experience. Through continuous exploration and experimentation, enterprises can create unique products in the cell phone accessories market and achieve steady growth in performance. Therefore, enterprises should increase their investment in design innovation, actively cultivate innovative talents, and promote the sustainable development of the cell phone accessories industry.
The global climate change, the promulgation and implementation of policies, and the change of the concept of mass consumption not only bring the pressure of brand transformation, but also promote brand innovation and development. Grasping the new concept of consumption, to a large extent, can promote brand development, to provide the public with more high-quality products, services and experiences.
So, how can brands capitalize on innovation in materials to multiply performance?
C&T’s Road to Design Innovation
On the road of environmental protection, C&T has become a strong backing for brands.
From the source of materials, to manufacturing, to delivery, C&T guarantees environmental protection in the whole chain.
In 2019, C&T became the first company in China’s 3C industry to be certified by GRS.
In the same year, C&T uses 100% biodegradable materials in phone case and is certified as a biodegradable raw material.
In 2020, C&T develops apple peel PU material for use in products with up to 80% composition.
In 2021, C&T developed the industry’s first phone case with a coffee flavor using coffee grounds bio-based material.
In 2022, C&T has strengthened the use of new environmentally friendly materials and new processes in product development. It has developed bio-leather products such as Pineapple peel, cactus and peel.
In 2023, C&T has become the first company in China’s smart terminal protective cover industry to trace the carbon emissions of its products. Taking the first step towards carbon footprint.
C&T has been honored with a number of environmental certifications, such as GRS, Biodegradable Certification, Carbon Footprint, Bio-based Certification,
VEGAN, OBPC, FSC, etc., which provide comprehensive protection for the green certification system of our cooperative customers.
C&T are the first company in the industry to be GRS certified and can issue product TC transaction certificate for each GRS order.
100% biodegradable and certified fully degradable with REACH and CA65 environmental tests.
This year, C&T even found a material that can be produced “carbon negative” a mycelium that grows on discarded food.
Mrs Zhong also elaborated on the model C&T is now working on with brands.
Types of sustainable materials being developed
Providing fashion companies with more environmentally friendly material options can reduce emissions generated in the product manufacturing process from the source.
Recommendations for green and low-carbon product development
Materials/ processes/ styles/ colors can all be customized to help companies reduce product R&D costs as much as possible and comprehensively upgrade product competitiveness.
Trustworthy environmental credentials and supply chain tracking technology
C&T provides environmentally friendly certification labels/ tags/ outer packaging marks for fashion companies. Create a traceable and recyclable supply chain from production to retail.
As Mrs Zhong believes “Product innovation is not just a feature of our products, it should be deeply embedded in every corporate value and product design to meet and seize the challenges and opportunities of the new era of sustainable development.”
