(Yicai) Nov. 8 -- Leading global developers and suppliers of new materials are exhibiting their high-value wares and discussing the latest industry trends at a new zone specially added for this year’s China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Major international players in chemicals, textiles, electronics, and other fields have set up shop in the New Materials Zone, a stage for presenting their cutting-edge innovations in material technology.

German tech firm Heraeus is presenting a range of innovative material products and related technologies in the zone, said Ai Zhouping, president of Heraeus China.

The company has launched a palladium catalyst -- used in the production of a wide range of chemicals -- at the CIIE, making it the first foreign enterprise to make this type in China and easing the country’s dependence on imports.

The New Materials Zone provides a brand new platform for industry exchanges and collaboration, Marc Horn, executive vice president of German science and technology firm Merck and president of Merck China, told Yicai.

Merck will showcase innovative achievements, cutting-edge technologies, advanced techniques and solutions, as well as announce a number of plans for local collaborations, Horn said.

US-based Milliken, which makes special textiles and chemical products, has also set up a booth in the new zone.

“We are presenting our latest research and development achievements that are closely related to the Chinese market at the expo, sharing them face-to-face with potential customers,” said Zhou Zhaolin, its Asia-Pacific vice president.

“This provides the company with a valuable opportunity to understand market demands and trends,” Zhou said.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Tom Litting