Located in the Jiangsu Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park, Zhangjiagang's chemical new materials industry chain supplies high-performance materials for the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and packaging sectors, becoming a vital pillar of high-end manufacturing in China.
The park now hosts 24 Fortune Global 500 companies, 17 of the world's top 50 chemical companies, and 19 investors in the top 50, forming a complete chain from basic raw chemicals to high-end synthetic materials, functional additives, and downstream application research and development (R&D). This structure enables closed-loop collaboration from source to end-user and has fostered a technology-intensive industrial cluster in key segments.
An aerial view of Jiangsu Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
Global giants such as Dow and Wacker have continued to expand. Dow's Zhangjiagang base, covering 1.4 million square meters and its largest in China, launched an over 100-million-yuan ($13.95 million) organic silicon expansion in March, linking seamlessly with upstream and downstream partners and co-developing products with local new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers. Wacker's base completed its largest-ever special organic silicon expansion in May, with products widely applied in NEVs and semiconductors — fully aligned with Zhangjiagang's industrial focus.
Local players are also advancing. Jiangsu Feymer Technology Co developed a novel organic dehydrating agent for wastewater treatment, working with steelmakers to install circulating water systems that save over 10 million yuan in annual water costs. Its products now are now used in the treatment of municipal, industrial, and mining wastewater.
In Zhangjiagang's chemical new materials ecosystem, global leaders dominate upstream production, while local enterprises like Huachang Group and Feymer specialize in downstream applications. This "raw materials supply + application development" synergy has led to the formation of a robust industrial chain.
In 2024, the city's chemical new materials enterprises generated 76.72 billion yuan in output, with five major clusters — high-performance materials, new energy materials, high-end specialty chemicals, special coatings, and semiconductor-related materials — developing in parallel.
To push towards higher-end and greener production, Zhangjiagang is accelerating construction of an 800-million-yuan bonded-zone chemical pilot base, set to top out in late August this year. The facility will integrate pilot R&D and testing platforms to address the challenge of commercializing scientific achievements.