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Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: wxntfb]

In recent years, Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone in Rudong county, Nantong city, Jiangsu province, has been prioritizing the development of the new materials industry, attracting a group of new materials enterprises focusing on synthetic fiber materials, high-performance resin materials, efficient and environmentally friendly materials.

The output value of the zone's new materials industry currently accounts for 60 percent of Rudong's total, with an annual output value exceeding 40 billion yuan ($5.61billion).

Construction sites in the zone are bustling with activity as multiple major industrial projects move forward at full speed.

Out of the zone's 11 projects included in Nantong's major projects this year, eight have started construction, with 70 percent of them being new material projects.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, known for its corrosion resistance and UV resistance, is widely used in the fields of national defense, military industry, and aerospace.

The high-performance fiber produced by local manufacturer Xingi Technology has helped end reliance on foreign imports. "Our company is currently the world's largest supplier of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, with an annual production capacity of over 2,0000 metric tons and a production and sales volume accounting for 60 percent of the global total," said Zhou Xinji, chairman of the company.

The factory of Xingi Technology. [Photo/WeChat account: wxntfb]

The company's flagship product also helped the zone attract an ionic liquid production project operated by Ldet (Jiangsu) New Materials Technology, which broke ground on Aug 18.

"In the past, solvents used in the production of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene were volatile and difficult to handle. The ionic liquid produced by Ldet will solve this problem and will make our production process more environmentally friendly and efficient," added Zhou.

The close connection between upstream and downstream enterprises in the new materials industrial chain improves the production efficiency and forms a robust industrial ecosystem.

"In today's highly competitive market, innovation is essential," said Zhou Liang, secretary of the zone's Party working committee. "We have established a high-standard science and technology incubation center that offers front-end research and development facilities and office space for start-up teams. Our aim is to build, within about five years, a comprehensive, high-level incubator for technology-based enterprises."