Kiloton aramid fiber II production equipment was put into a trial production in Chengdu on May 2011. It was the first of its kind in the nation with independent intellectual property rights.
Aramid is a high-performance organic fiber with high strength, thermo-stability and low density. It is widely used in the railways, automobiles and cable shield sectors.
Due to its lightweight and high strength, aramid parts can save vehicles on power fuel.
Ye Guangdou, professor of Polymer Materials Science and Engineering School, Sichuan University said, "if 20 percent of car tires use this production, demand will be huge. Aramid has gradually been recognized. It can be used for high and low temperature resistance composite materials that could be a direction of development in the future."
Bluestar Chengrand Chemical Research and Design Institute started to develop kiloton Aramid II production equipment in 2006.
Research coincided with state-owned enterprise reforms. Bluestar Chenguang has restructured from a state-owned research institute to a limited partnership company.
Research funding resources changed from national funding to multi-channel financing, along with performance appraisal incentives to boost the talent management system in a more reasonable and people-oriented manner.
"We introduced a corporate management and in-house incentives mechanisms to speed up developments," said He.
Wang Fengde, project leader, mentioned that the ChemChina and Bluestar head office provided Bluestar Chengrand Chemical with financial and personnel support.
Wang said, "the HQ sent 18 experts to us. Without their resources we could not do anything."
Smart materials are a key area of new industry development for the 12th Five-Year Plan of the Chinese government.
Chemical smart materials have become the largest business segment for ChemChina.
The company is committed to upgrades of the industrial structure driven by innovations. The company is a leader in the materials of silicone, fluorine, high-performance membrane, high-fibers and special engineering plastics.
Ren Jianxin, general manager of ChemChina, said, "the proportion of new materials will continue to increase while traditional chemicals decrease, so we plan to exit from that business. I believe central enterprises should assume the appropriate share of the pie of the national economy for balanced development."
24 research and design institutes under ChemChina have enjoyed the fruits of reforms. Annual investment in R & D accounts for two percent of sales revenues for the company and could reach up to 3.5 percent in the next five years.
It has increased overseas business mergers and acquisitions, which produced 1,000 more patents. Ren said, "overseas R & D capabilities are constantly improving. When we take over companies our focus is to see if their R & D complements ours"
On the company website, the catchphrase, "chemicals make life wonderful" appears eye-catching. The chemical industry in the country is considered to maintain high energy consumption and high pollution. Yet, the company is developing a new outlook. Its innovative, scientific, and sustainable development does make life wonderful.