Seven enterprises based in Rudong, a county in Nantong, Jiangsu province, recently made the 2023 list of the provincial-level recognized enterprise technology centers, according to the Industry and Information Technology Department of Jiangsu.

This increase in the number of enterprise technology centers reflects the commitment of local businesses to enhancing their innovative development efforts.

Jiangsu Jingbang New Materials Co Ltd stands out as one of the local companies driving independent innovation through the establishment of its technology center.

Zhou Yuefeng, the executive deputy general manager of Jingbang New Materials, said that by relying on the self-established technology center, the company has developed a mature model that helps turn its technological achievements into something that can be mass-produced.

The company's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, known for its cut-resistant, creep-resistant, and easily dyed properties, has earned the provincial  recognizition.

Jiangsu Hanvo Safety Co Ltd, another company focused on innovation, has forged deep collaborative ties with several academic institutions, including Donghua University, Jiangnan University, and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The company has been recognized as a national-level high-tech enterprise, provincial-level enterprise technology center, and provincial-level engineering technology research center.

By translating technological prowess into a competitive advantage, the company achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by entering the billion-yuan tax bracket for the first time, according to Wang Xianhua, chairman and general manager of Hanvo Safety.

As of now, Rudong boasts one national-level enterprise technology center, 46 provincial-level enterprise technology centers, and 64 municipal-level enterprise technology centers.

Through continuous independent innovation and product iteration, local enterprises not only achieved rapid growth but also played a pivotal role in driving Rudong's industrial and economic development.

In 2023, Rudong saw an increase of 107 new high-tech enterprises and five nationally recognized "little giant" enterprises. In the same year, the number of enterprises in the county that have paid taxes exceeding 1 billion yuan reached 12, while the cumulative output of industrial enterprises above the designated scale reached 197 billion yuan, a growth of 9.5 percent year-on-year.

A technology center in a local enterprise in Rudong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]