The Gaolan Port Economic Zone has established a 3-sq-km new-materials industrial park, riding on the success it has had in attracting such industries. The new companies will invest 30-billion-yuan ($4.5 billion) during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

New-materials is one of seven major strategic emerging industries given precedence in China, and is among eight major and five pillar strategic emerging industries prioritized in Guangdong Province.

As impetus for development in Zhuhai, the Gaolan Port Economic Zone has created a modern industrial structure led by advanced equipment, clean energy, petrochemicals, and modern port. This is attributed to the South China Sea Strategy, Belt & Road Initiative, and Advanced-Equipment Manufacturing Industrial Belt on the west bank of the Pearl River.

Encouraged by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, innovation-driven development, ecological civilization growth, and China's marine exploitation strategy, Gaolan will see its total industrial output value exceed 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) and cargo throughput surpass 100 million tons this year.

Gaolan Port Economic Zone [Photo courtesy investgaolan.gov.cn]

Projects that have settled in Gaolan include special polyurethane of Wanhua Chemical Group Co Ltd, cathode material for lithium-ion batteries of Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech Co Ltd (JHD), polymer anti-aging additives of Rianlon Corp, carbon nanotubes of Shenzhen SUSN Sinotech New Materials Co Ltd, degradable plastics of Wantong Chemical Co Ltd, lithium-ion battery separator of SEMCORP, 600,000 tons of polystyrene from Taiwan Loyal Group, fluoride materials of Hong Kong Lee & Man Chemicals, and dry film photoresist of Great Eastern Resins Industrial Co Ltd. The total investment of these projects along with those under negotiation exceeds 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).