Longgang polymer industry charts new path for transformation

The Zhejiang Jintian Polymer Materials Research Institute in Longgang, Zhejiang province, has marked its fifth anniversary, officially entering a new market-oriented phase. This milestone signals that the polymer industry in Longgang has embarked on a path of transformation, shifting from traditional manufacturing toward high-end, self-sustaining innovation.

The institute's technological breakthroughs are already hitting the production lines. A film production line, co-developed with industry leader Jintian Plastic Industry, utilizes an online coating process that eliminates the necessity of downstream secondary coating. This innovation cuts labor and manufacturing costs while boosting production efficiency by over 30%. 

Deputy director of the institute Xu Dong noted that the institute's goal is to foster new growth from traditional industrial chains, steering them toward high-tech sectors.

Established in August 2021, the institute focuses on long-term growth through three market-driven models: technology transfer, technical services, and project incubation. It has already incubated four enterprises across China. Among them is Covison New Materials, launched in Longgang last December. Covison's first-quarter sales surpassed 30 million yuan, with annual revenue projected to reach 150 to 200 million yuan.

This year, the institute is accelerating its expansion into advanced sectors. Driven by a R&D team of 28 experts, the institute is targeting high-end applications in aerospace and automotive industries, focusing on flame-retardant and carbon-fiber composite materials. 

Additionally, it has brought in AI experts to develop a large language model specifically for the polymer material supply chain.

Using this institute as a pacesetter, Longgang is strengthening the role of enterprises as hubs for innovation. By building collaborative R&D platforms around industry leaders, the region is successfully shifting its traditional polymer sector from basic manufacturing to high-end applications.