Zhangjiagang has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the steel industry. As a pioneering force in the city's "4+4+N" industrial framework, the metallurgical new materials sector now boasts over 200 enterprises above designated size, with a steel production capacity accounting for 29 percent of Jiangsu province's total. In 2024, the industry achieved a remarkable output value exceeding 220.8 billion yuan ($30.72 billion).
The city's metallurgical sector has developed a diverse and high-end range of products, including non-oriented silicon steel, ultra-thin strip steel, rebar, and specialty alloys. Leading the charge is Jiangsu Shagang Group, which has invested more than 50 billion yuan in technological advancements. The company has made significant strides in ultra-low temperature pipeline steel, filling a domestic gap. Shagang has also established the world's largest thin strip casting and rolling production base and plans to create the world’s largest non-oriented silicon steel production facility.
Other industry players, such as Yonggang Group and Hongbao Group, have also made notable technological advancements. Yonggang's independently developed bainitic non-quenched steel fills a domestic void, while Hongbao's ultra-high precision industrial-grade multifunctional forging products address key industry challenges.
Zhangjiagang's metallurgical new materials industry chain fosters deep collaboration, driving synergy among upstream and downstream enterprises and forming a robust innovation ecosystem. Suzhou Qiji Welding Materials Co, for instance, has developed high-end welding materials, which have been successfully used in major domestic projects.
"We are the first in China to integrate the resources of steel enterprises, research institutes, and welding material companies," said Jia Jun, general manager of Suzhou Qiji Welding Materials Co. "Yonggang Group provides high-quality raw materials, Sitri Welding Technology Research Institute offers research on materials, equipment, and processes, and we focus on industrial implementation and promotion." This tripartite collaboration enables faster market response, addressing the lack of research in China's welding material segments.
To push digital transformation forward, Yonggang Group has significantly enhanced product quality and production efficiency through intelligent control systems. Zhangjiagang Guangda Special Material has also transitioned from a traditional forging enterprise to a modern smart factory through technological innovation.
Looking ahead, Zhangjiagang aims to expand its portfolio of high-quality alloy steel for the automotive, aerospace, and marine engineering sectors, further enriching its steel processing capabilities and solidifying its status as a leading steel industry cluster in China.
The interior of a steel manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]