Guangdong-based TOPSTAR is applying embodied AI to injection molding production, as China's plastics manufacturing sector accelerates its shift toward fully automated, AI-driven factories.
At CHINAPLAS 2026, Asia's largest plastics and rubber trade fair held April 21-24, robotics, embodied AI and smart factory systems dominated the agenda, highlighting rising demand for integrated industrial automation.
The fully integrated injection molding system for cosmetic lip gloss containers
TOPSTAR showcased a fully integrated injection molding system for cosmetic lip gloss containers, combining AI-based inspection, automated sorting and packaging, and robotic handling into a continuous production line with minimal human intervention. In a two-shift setup, the system reaches up to 16,000 units per day, while reducing labor costs by around 60%. A single operator can oversee 5-10 machines, significantly improving throughput efficiency.
The company also introduced an AI-powered flexible sorting workstation, driven by its proprietary vision model. The system enables production changeovers in as little as five minutes and achieves over 99% recognition accuracy, while remaining simple enough for general factory operators to use.
The solutions reflect broader momentum in Guangdong's industrial ecosystem. As a major manufacturing hub, the province is accelerating AI adoption across traditional industries. Its core AI sector is expected to surpass RMB 300 billion in 2025, growing more than 40% year-on-year and accounting for roughly a quarter of China's total AI industry output. In April, Guangdong also released a policy roadmap to scale up AI integration across manufacturing and services, pushing for large-scale real-world deployment.
Visitors at the TOPSTAR booth watching demonstrations
From this perspective, TOPSTAR's showcase at CHINAPLAS 2026 reflects not an isolated upgrade, but part of a broader shift—where Guangdong's manufacturing base is evolving from equipment exports toward AI-enabled production systems and end-to-end industrial solutions.
Reporter: Li Muzi
Photo: TOPSTAR
