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Niu Boran, 24, is a graduate of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. Last year, she returned to her hometown in Harbin, the capital city of China's northeastern Heilongjiang Province with her creative invention of a new kind of ceramics made from volcanic rocks. Starting her own business to sell these ceramic artworks, Niu has stepped into a promising future with confidence and courage.

Niu Boran (L), 24, returned to her hometown in Harbin, the capital city of China's northeastern Heilongjiang Province with her creative invention of a new kind of ceramics made from volcanic rocks. [Jiao Meng / Chinagate.cn]

Speaking of her creative intentions, she told chinagate.cn she began to notice that purple clay has become a scare resource in China, and the lack of material has therefore encouraged the emergence of synthetic clay teapots. As a Ceramics Art Design student, Niu feels obliged to change the current situation, and explore a new way of making pottery. During a trip to Heilongjiang's countryside, she was inspired by the local volcanic rocks. She thought, why not replace purple clay with volcanic rocks as a new, preferred material for pottery making?

To prepare herself for this new venture, she read many books about chemistry and material science. She even went so far as to repeatedly sneak into a school's laboratory to conduct experiments. "I have been doing research for 10 months. I collected two boxes of failed fingernail-sized specimens, but eventually I succeeded." Niu said.

These unprecedented volcanic rock ceramics are regarded as a breakthrough in pottery making. It better preserves the original color of the rocks as the material does not add dye during the production process. Unlike previous pottery making, which often results in air and water pollution, volcanic rock ceramics are eco-friendly. So far, Niu has successfully applied for and received two patents for her creation.

However, many difficulties are still lie ahead for her. Mass production, publicity and startup capital all need to be considered before she starts her business. At first, her parents were opposed to her idea, but when they saw their daughter's achievement and the value of her work, they changed their minds and decided to do whatever they can to help her.

Niu's father became her "porter" and helped her collect and carry rocks while her mother, who worked at a school, helped to promote Niu's product to the teachers and students.

Several investors have come to Niu and expressed a wish to buy her patent, but were immediately rejected. Eventually, at a Youth Entrepreneurship Contest last May, she won third prize, and her invention garnered a great amount of attention from Harbin Bank, who later offered her a credit opportunity.

The local government together with Harbin Bank set up a company dedicated to offering loan guarantees for college entrepreneurs on August 5th in order to encourage college entrepreneurship as a measure to revive the region's economy. They signed agreements with 28 college entrepreneurs, and offered 1.91 million yuan, or 30,000 U.S. dollars, for loans in total.

Niu was among the first loan receivers. With 7,000 yuan in hand, she now plans to open up a shop, and find a reliable sales team.

Her next step is to build a kiln specially designed for burning volcanic rock ceramics in Harbin. She calls it the "brown kiln", as the color of volcanic rock is brown. She also plans to establish an exhibition center to promote her product, in a bid to increase its cultural value as well as increase profits.

When speaking of my long-term goal, "I hope that volcanic rock ceramics can become a symbol of Heilongjiang." Niu said.

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