Kingfa Sci & Tech: R&D pioneer, advocator of low-carbon development

Kingfa Sci & Tech's headquarters in Guangzhou's Huangpu district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Kingfa Sci & Tech, located in Guangzhou's Huangpu district, is working hard to build a global-leading platform that includes R&D, marketing, manufacturing, and supply, with the goal of becoming a world leader in innovative chemical materials. 

Since its inception in 1993, Kingfa has placed a high premium on R&D technology, according to Li Nanjing, the company's general manager. It presently includes eight domestic R&D centers and production centers as well as the ones in the United States, India and Germany. 

With 15 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and more than 150 doctoral degree holders, a coordinated and innovative R&D talent team of over 400 individuals has been established.

Kingfa Sci & Tech has a coordinated and innovative R&D talent team consisting of over 400 members. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The company's R&D expenditure as a percentage of total sales revenue exceeds 4 percent, and Kingfa's R&D expenditure in 2020 was over 1.44 billion yuan ($226.25 million), while total sales revenue was around 35.06 billion yuan. 

The flame retardant technology utilized in developing Kingfa's high temperature resistant nylon is being pioneered by the company, and such technology was formerly monopolized by companies in the United States. 

According to Li, the corporation established a new development strategy in October 2021 that adheres to China's aim of achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, which was proposed in 2020.

The company is estimated to produce 1 million metric tons of bio-plastics, recycle 1 million tons of plastic waste and make 1 million tons of high-quality products made from recycled plastic waste every year by 2030. Also, the emissions of producing 1 million plastic products will be reduced by 30 percent by then.

Under composting conditions, the world's leading fully biodegradable polyester, created independently by Kingfa, can achieve 100 percent biodegradation in 90 days, significantly reducing plastic pollution because the end products are simply carbon dioxide and water. Kingfa is now pioneering in the world to mass-produce fully biodegradable polymers. 

A production line at Kingfa Sci & Tech. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Kingfa has been collaborating with global industrial giants such as Unilever, L'Oréal, BMW, Gree Electric Appliances, and Midea to recover plastic waste from scrapped products and use it in the production of new products, decreasing carbon emissions even further.

Li spoke highly of Huangpu district's support for the company's development, especially in the outstanding local business environment. Preferential talent policies released by the district have helped the company solve problems in attracting, retaining and helping talents.

Citing as examples, he said, holders of a doctorate degree who relocate to Huangpu district are eligible for local government subsidies, as well as favorable taxation policies for senior executives. Every year, certain educational spots in nearby schools are made available to company employees, benefiting not only top management but also immigrant workers. Apartments are also available for rent for a fraction of the typical market price. 

Li introduced the company's vision, stating that its Huangpu headquarters will continue to prioritize R&D and fully use local advantages in order to recruit more high-caliber personnel and achieve leap forward development. It will also expand its industrial chain to include upstream and downstream businesses, such as raw materials supply and the application of its findings on higher-end products.

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