The 15th China International Patent Fair takes place in Wuxi from Nov 6 to 8. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Several companies from Nantong, Jiangsu province, have received top honors at the 15th China International Patent Fair, highlighting the city's growing strength in innovation and intellectual property development.

ZTT Submarine Cable received a Gold Award at the 26th WIPO–CNIPA Awards, along with a Jiangsu Patent Gold Award. Three other Nantong companies — Nantong Tiancheng Optoelectronics Technology, AlphaESS and ZTT Power Optical Cable — received Jiangsu Patent Silver Awards.

ZTT Submarine Cable's award-winning patent focuses on flexible direct-current submarine cables. The technology improves water resistance and mechanical strength while overcoming limitations found in conventional cable monitoring. It has facilitated the development of ±550 kilovolt submarine cables, which can transmit up to 3 gigawatts of power per cable. Related products have been used in more than 50 offshore wind power and offshore oil and gas projects worldwide.

The other recognized innovations include smart illuminated paving tiles, integrated residential energy storage systems and advanced manufacturing techniques for optical ground wires.

The awards underscore Nantong companies' progress in turning patented technologies into market-ready products, strengthening the city's role in advanced manufacturing and the global energy industry.

The fair, held in Wuxi from Nov 6 to 8, featured eight exhibition zones covering patent achievements, innovation-driven industries and the application of artificial intelligence in technology commercialization. More than 40 supporting events were also organized under the theme of connecting patents with innovation and unlocking their commercial value.