A manufacturing plant of SK Bioland Biotech (Haimen) Co in Haimen [Photo/ntfabu.com]

SK Bioland Biotech (Haimen) Co aims to produce 80 to 90 million yuan ($ 12.73 million) in output value this year, according to Cao Xuan, general manager of the company.

The company, affiliated with SK Group, one of South Korea's top three conglomerates, was founded in 2013 in Haimen, a county-level city in Nantong. 

The first phase covers an area of 17.5 mu (11,672 square meters) and produces natural cosmetic materials such as hyaluronic acid and plant extract. Its annual output is 1,000 tons and it mainly supplies cosmetics giants such as Estee Lauder and Dior.

The second phase is a bio-cellulose mask plant that occupies an area of 30 mu and is currently under trial operations. It makes use of unique manufacturing processes to meet global demands. Its annual production capacity is estimated at 100 million masks.

Construction on the third phase started in 2019 and is meant to supplement the first phase. It is expected to start operating this year and produce 5,000 tons of cosmetic materials each year.

"Located in the estuary of the Yangtze River, Haimen boasts a convenient location and transportation network. The local government offers preferential policies to foreign-funded companies, making it an attractive place," said Cao when explaining why the company chose to operate in Haimen.

The output value of the company has been increasing since it first began operating and is expected to reach 200 million in 2022. "We have received a lot of help from the local government and we hope to contribute to the economic development of Haimen and Nantong," said Cao.