Changzhou sets smart, green steel benchmark

With advanced technology, a solid industrial foundation, capable talent and favorable policies, steel enterprises in Changzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, are quickly marching toward a smarter and greener stage.

"This is one of our steel products — elevator guides. The guide is an important component of an elevator, which normally measures 5 meters in length, 8.9 centimeters in width and 6.1 cm in height. From order reception to delivery, it took us at most seven days and an average of three days. For some of the orders, it took only one day," said Liu Xiaoyu, head of a steel manufacturing plant in Wujin district, Changzhou.

"As a traditional saying goes, 'A miss is as good as a mile'. From overseas iron ore purchasing and shipments, coagulation, blast furnace iron making, steelmaking and rolling, to mechanical processing, every process combines all our blood," said Jiang Zhongmin, chairman of Eastran Group, to which the steel manufacturing plant belongs.

"Elevator guides decide an elevator's direction of motion. When the production precision of an elevator guide increases, the operational safety and comfort of an elevator go up correspondingly.

"Currently, the national standard for the production precision of an elevator guide is 0.1 millimeter. With our concerted efforts, we have achieved a precision of 0.05 mm. For some of our products, it is as precise as 0.03 mm.

"We are confident that when clients receive our products, it is for sure that they will be satisfied," said a worker surnamed Li from Eastran Group.

Guo Tao, individual angel investor and an expert in the manufacturing sector for over 20 years, said: "China plays a critical role in terms of steel manufacturing. It is the largest steelmaking and consumption power in the world. Changzhou plays a leading role in smart manufacturing and green production. On the one hand, the city boasts advanced technology research and development and innovative capabilities. On the other hand, there is solid industrial foundation and supportive facilities, which is conducive to the coordinated development of the industrial chain."

In addition, Guo said that an abundant talent reserve offers intellectual support for the smart development of steel manufacturing, while favorable policies from the local government provide a hospitable business environment.

Data from corporate data provider Qichacha showed that as of Thursday, there were 1,183 steelmaking-related enterprises registered in Changzhou. Apart from Eastran Group, renowned names include Zenith Steel Group Co Ltd, Changzhou Tianshan Heavy Industry Machinery Co Ltd and Jiangsu Changbao Steel Tube Co Ltd.

In terms of local enterprises' future development trends, Guo said: "Enterprises are recommended to pay more attention to environmental protection, intelligent manufacturing, high-end product design and industrial chain integration. The development trend of the country's overall steel manufacturing industry is about the same. While strengthening industrial structure adjustment and eliminating outdated production capacity, companies should make concrete efforts in green manufacturing so as to achieve sustainable development."