JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007 - 21

Market survey: China total accumulated installed capacity of 15,000 MW by 2015, 30,000 MW by 2020, 100,000 MW by 2030, and 400,000 MW by 2050. Their objectives will be achieved in advance due to policy encouragement. As another example, China’s government strictly and clearly legislated to stop smallscale glass fibre production (crucible process) that is energy-consuming, highlypolluting and inefficient in order to promote direct melting E-glass fibre production, which is an energy-saving, high-efficiency and high-quality technology. These policies and stipulations clearly promote technological progress and quality improvements in the Chinese glass fibre industry. JCM: How can the composite sector progress in China? Mr. Z.P Song: I would like to make it clear . that it is the rapid development of the Chinese economy – especially the increasing demand for high-quality composite products – that promotes the development of the Chinese composite industry. As company managers, we attach great importance to the role of the following factors in the development of composite materials: Taking full advantage of the national industrial policy supporting composites Owing to their excellent overall performance and energy-saving production processes compared to traditional materials like steel, cement and aluminium, composite materials are drawing much attention from the Chinese government and authorities. The Chinese government has already designated them as a ‘sunrising’ industry and formulated relevant industrial policies to encourage their development. For example, the research and application of composite materials have been incorporated into the key government-funded scientific research programmes. Composite businesses listed as “modern high-tech enterprises” can be granted preferential treatment in terms of land and tax benefits. Composite fishing boats can benefit from preferential treatment and registration fees for replacing old wooden boats. Having their products elected “Famous products of China” stimulates the commitment of companies to improve the performance and quality of their composite and glass fibre products, which to some extent raises the overall level of the industry. Advocating scientific and technological innovation to boost development We firmly believe that it is only by scientific and technological innovation that a company can maintain its core competencies. In order to encourage innovation, CNBM grants awards annually to the subsidiaries, projects and individuals who have made progress in saving energy, reducing emissions, reducing costs and improving quality. For instance, the programmes “R&D of FRP products used in desulphurization engineering”, “Research of an engine hull for launch vehicles in space activities” and “Carbon fibre hull with a reinforced network structure integrally produced by the filament winding process” all received the CNBM award in 2006. This way, we promote the commitment of companies to scientific and technological innovation. We are committed to integrating production, education and research to ensure that scientific and technological achievements can be efficiently converted into productivity. Large domestic companies such as Taishan Fiberglass Inc., Jushi Group and Zhongfu Lianzhong Group all have R&D centres that are helping to build a solid foundation for technological upgrading and new product development. Adopting inter national practices and actively taking part in inter national communication Chinese composite companies have realized the importance of adopting international standards in international cooperation and trade. By introducing advanced technology and equipment, and participating in international professional events such as JEC, ACMA, China Composites and SAMPE, Chinese composite companies are gradually bringing their product quality standards up to scratch with international standards, which improve the quality level of their products to a large extent. Nowadays, Chinese composite companies are capable of providing composite parts for the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing, and for Chinesemanned space crafts, “Long-March” rockets and satellites. This indicates that Chinese composite materials are gradually becoming recognized and accepted by the international market. Composite parts jointly manufactured by Chinese companies and their French, German and Japanese partners are used extensively in the carriages for a new type of high-speed Chinese train. Cultivating our talents In China, more than ten universities have set up degrees in composite materials. They provide hundreds of professionals to the composite industry every year. To solve production problems arising in small and medium-sized companies, the relevant industry associations have organized various activities such as technical exchanges and professional training courses to promote the technological progress of the composite industry. Moreover, the training and development of production employees should not be neglected. The Zhongfu Lianzhong Group could serve as a good example. To meet technical requirements for the production of wind turbine blades, the Group provides special technical and production training which greatly enhances the quality and production skills of its employees. JCM: Which sectors are to be explored in particular? Mr. Z.P Song: At present, CNBM’s . composites business platforms mainly focus on glass fibre, fibre products and composite materials. In April 2007, we brought the world’s largest direct melting E-glass fibre line (with an annual capacity of 120,000 tons) into production. Since then, CNBM has become the largest glass fibre producer in Asia with a total capacity of 310,000 tons per year. It is also one of No35 September 2007 / JEC Composites Magazine

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007

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