Mechanical composite pipes made by Huzhou-based Zhejiang Jiuli Hi-Tech Metals. [Photo/Zhejiang Marine Economic Development Department]

Zhejiang held an exchange event on the marine new materials industry and technology cooperation in Ningbo on March 31, outlining plans to build a leading domestic base for marine new materials and a hub for advanced materials innovation within three to five years.

The province already has a solid industrial and technological foundation in the sector. Several key products made in Ningbo have been used in major national projects involving offshore platforms, deep-sea and polar operations, and nuclear power plants on islands. In marine chemical new materials, companies including Wanhua Chemical Group and Zhejiang Wanma have established full industry chains.

According to the Development Guidelines for Zhejiang's Marine New Materials Industry released by the Zhejiang Marine Economic Development Department, the province will focus on four industrial chains: marine structural materials, marine protective materials, special deep-sea chemicals and functional materials, and cutting-edge marine new materials.

At the event, the Marine Key Materials Multiscale Characterization Platform was launched. Led by the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, the project will support the development of marine equipment and safety evaluation by providing research and technical support for service assessment, life prediction, condition monitoring, and process optimization of key marine materials.