The Hai'an High-Tech Zone in Nantong, Jiangsu province, has achieved remarkable advancements in the provincial rankings for comprehensive innovation-driven development among high-tech zones.

The zone has placed a strong emphasis on fostering innovation in recent years. It has collaborated with universities and established high-tech research institutes, including the Hai'an-Nanjing University high-tech research institute.

Focusing on the development and application of core technologies in the functional new materials industry, this research institute has created in-house projects with wide-ranging applications in aerospace, photovoltaics, oil and gas storage and transportation, construction, and various other sectors.

"The institute is based in Hai'an, so our research and development efforts align with the local needs of the new materials industry," said Tang Shaochun, the institute's director.

The institute has collaborated with Hai'an Haochi Technology Co Ltd and achieved innovative breakthroughs, including a novel flexible film with intelligent color-changing, zero-energy cooling, and self-cleaning capabilities.

In June, the institute also signed an agreement with Jiangsu Xinba New Materials Technology Co Ltd, a local enterprise, to jointly establish a new energy technology research and development center, aiming to expedite the company's industrialization process.

To date, the institute has forged collaborative relationships with over 30 innovative companies and established 12 joint research and development centers with such enterprises, two-thirds of which are based in Nantong.

The establishment of the institute has generated a synergistic effect, prompting other high-level research institutions at universities such as Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, China Textile Academy, and Peking University Shanghai Microelectronics Institute to set up research institutes in the zone.

An increasing number of high-level platforms has provided a continuous source of talent, facilitated the establishment of science and technology-based enterprises, and nurtured the growth of high-tech industries.

For example, the Science and Technology Innovation Park in the zone has successfully incubated 168 enterprises and nurtured 28 high-tech companies.

The Hai'an-Nanjing University high-tech research institute. [Photo/Nantong Daily]