REGIONAL> Development
University Science Park to become "China's Rubber Valley"
By Shen Hong (China Daily Shandong Bureau)
Updated: 2009-05-25 17:47

The Science Park of Qingdao University of Science and Technology is becoming an international hub for rubber research institutes from all over the world.

Statistics show the Science Park has already attracted world’s 18 key labs and 22 scientific and technological enterprises of rubber and chemical industries.

With a gross product value of nearly 200 million yuan in 2008, the park is developing into an industrial incubation base directed on research, development and transformation of new rubber materials.

“This Science Park will attract more high-end rubber institutes to settle down, and it will develop towards China’s Rubber Valley”, said Gao Qing, party secretary of Qingdao University of Science and Technology.

Lanxess Deutschland, German leading manufacturer in plastics and rubber, established its second largest Research and Development Centre (RDC) at the park. The $16 million project moved to its second stage on May 21, 2009.

Many other companies are also setting up their projects at the Science Park, including Polyurethane RDC and Qingdao International Science and Technology Cooperation and Communication Demonstrative Base.

The 50-thousand-square-meter park has also become a home for the National Engineering Research Center of Tyre Process and Control and a RDC of new rubber material.

As of April, 150 million yuan have been invested in the Science Park where a batch of industrial enterprises continues to develop rapidly.