Various products made with camellias are displayed at Zhejiang Camellia City Agricultural Development Co in Jinhua. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

Over 1,500 varieties of camellias in Wucheng district, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, are not only a vibrant spectacle but also key ingredients for lipsticks, soaps, eye patches, and other products developed by Zhejiang Camellia City Agricultural Development Co.

As Jinhua's city flower, camellias give Wucheng the title "China's Camellia Town". However, stagnant sales have challenged the traditional flower industry in recent years. Cheng Yan, founder of the company, emphasized that revitalizing the industry requires expanding the industrial value chain.

In 2019, Cheng and her team developed the first camellia-based product: camellia soap. Team member Yu Meiping explained that crafting one bar of camellia soap involves dozens of processes over two months. The product uses camellia-seed oil and flower extracts as core materials to provide cleansing and skincare benefits while being degradable. Since its launch, it has gained popularity among consumers.

In December 2024, in partnership with the Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University — a provincial institute established by the Jinhua government and Zhejiang University — the company built a joint R&D center to target the full-chain development of the camellia industry.

Leveraging the institute's expertise, the company has launched solid and liquid soaps, covering areas including personal care, household cleaning, and pet care.

Recently, the company has been producing a new product, camellia eye patches, which combine camellia extracts with microneedle therapy. In addition to research and development, the joint R&D center will also hold DIY soap sessions for children to promote science and camellia culture.