At leading edge of new materials

Porcelain made in Zibo is frequently given by various levels of government to foreign guests as gifts. Photos Provided to China Daily

Now with 70 R&D centers for new materials, the city of Zibo is pushing development of the sector that is expected to generate 100 billion yuan in sales revenues this year.

In 2009, the city's high-tech industries produced goods and services worth almost 219 billion yuan, more than half of it from the new materials industry.

In 2002 the city was designated as a center for development of new materials by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Zibo now leads the nation in production and technology in advanced ceramics, new chemical materials and heat-resistant products.

By the end of last year the city had 308 new materials companies with some 450 patented technologies that produced 710 kinds of new material products.

Of 349 kinds of organic polymers made by 188 enterprises in Zibo, 82 have the biggest market share of their respective markets in China.

Production of nano materials has grown rapidly in recent years.

Another initiative to promote the development of the growing sector, the China (Zibo) New Materials Technology Forum, will be held from September 6 to 9 in the city.