(Yicai Global) Sept. 26 -- Baotailong New Materials Co. [SHA:601011], a chemical enterprise based in China's northeastern Heilongjiang province, plans to work with Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to jointly construct a graphene application center to develop graphene downstream products.

 The company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with SINANO's affiliated research institute in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, Baotailong reported Sept. 25. Each side will provide USD1.5 million (CNY10 million) for the construction of a graphene application center. The first cooperative stage will last for five years, and the main fields of research and development (R&D) will be military projects, lithium batteries and conductive ink and related items.

 The center will become a base for bilateral R&D and talent cultivation, as well as a base for scientific research program application and reporting of research achievements, thereby laying a solid foundation for further disbursement of national major national program funds, per the report.

 The Nanchang Institute is a nano-industry innovation base jointly set up by SINANO and the Nanchang government. It mainly specializes in the development of nano application technologies and conversion of scientific research achievements. It currently has 33 staff members, 13 of whom hold a PhD degree.

 This cooperation will facilitate Baotailong's development, production and marketing of downstream products in the field of graphene, said Baotailong. It will also enhance the company's independent innovation capability, facilitate the company's transformation and upgrade and aid rapid development of the graphene industry.