Global exhibitors unveiled pioneering advancements in low-altitude aviation, sustainable materials, and smart mobility at a pre-expo supply-demand matchmaking meeting for the 8th China International Import Expo on Aug 8.

The session, covering the Intelligent Industry and Information Technology, Automobile and Smart Mobility exhibition areas, showcased products such as next-generation unmanned transport aircraft, mineral-infused water purifiers, and eco-friendly textiles.

This event offered the public a first glimpse of exhibits set to appear at the upcoming CIIE, running from Nov 5 to 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). It highlighted transformative trends across the IT, automobile, and mobility sectors.

Celebrating 36 years in China, French tire manufacturer Michelin Group emphasized CIIE's role in accelerating real-world innovation. "The expo isn't about technological theatrics. It's about forging solutions for tomorrow," said Wu Junyi, vice-president of Michelin China.

Michelin's CIIE journey exemplifies this ethos. Its 2020 exhibit, which showcased a Formula E car, spurred the development of market-leading EV tires now fitted on 30 percent of China’s premium electric vehicles.

Subsequent breakthroughs, ranging from ResiCare bio-adhesive resins to the airless Lunar Wheel for moon rovers, have found applications in industrial and logistics sectors and embody the company's vision for future exploration.

This year, Michelin will spotlight new composite-material innovations, expanding its sustainable footprint beyond tires.

German cleaning-solutions pioneer Kärcher, a participant in all seven previous CIIEs with cumulative investments in China exceeding 2 billion yuan ($278.48 million), will debut six flagship products this year.

These include an all-in-one cleaning robot, a mineral-enhanced water purifier that adds essential nutrients, a high-efficiency steam cleaner, a cordless foldable handheld washer, a commercial corridor scrubber, and an automated sweep-mop-dry robot.

Composite materials solution provider HRC Group, returning for its sixth CIIE since debuting in 2020, will unveil a next-generation unmanned low-altitude transport aircraft designed for logistics, emergency response, and remote sensing. Leveraging aerospace-grade composites, HRC has achieved breakthroughs in payload capacity and flight performance.

Japanese chemical giant Toray Industries will present lightweight carbon fiber, recycled automotive resins, and fully plant-based polyester suede.

Asahi Kasei Corp, also from Japan, will showcase a newly developed marine-biodegradable fiber for sustainable apparel and resin-glass hardening technology for automotive windows, currently pursuing European certification.

"CIIE has consistently turned exhibits into commodities and exhibitors into investors," said Ge Hong, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, noting the expo's growing influence as a hub for global trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges, and international collaboration.

Source: Shanghai Observer