A new industrial park for companies and research institutes focusing on developing new materials is currently under construction in Taicang, Jiangsu province.

The new park is being built by the Shanghai Silicate Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of China's leading research organizations for inorganic nonmetallic materials.

The site will be located on the eastern edge of the Taicang Sci-tech Industrial Park and will cover a total area of about 180 mu (12 hectares), divided into three sections, according to Zhao Wei, project manager of the park.

The first section will house nine production facilities designed to serve as testing sites for companies looking to turn new materials developed in the lab into marketable products.

The second section will be used for scientific research buildings, while the third will be set aside for military production facilities.

Two buildings in the first section are currently under construction and are expected to be completed in October.

Once completed, the two buildings will host six projects related to the research and development of new ceramic matrix composites, silicon carbide ceramics, alumina matrix ceramic fiber, boron carbide superhard materials, and wastewater treatment nanometer materials.

The first building appears to have been specifically designed to cater to the projects set to move in. Each floor of the three-story building is a different height: 8.5 meters, 5 meters and 5.5 meters respectively.

The Taicang park is expected to develop into an open and comprehensive sci-tech innovation platform for advanced materials integrating R&D, technology transfer, business incubation, technical services, and talent training.

The park's Shanghai parent institute will provide support in technology, research equipment, and talent to help its new branch realize its goals.

The park will also benefit from Taicang's favorable location, preferential policies and industrial advantages.