On March 18, 2026, a delegation of four—led by Tian Chao, Party Secretary and General Manager of the China Pulp & Paper Research Institute; Liu Zhenhua, Editor-in-Chief of China Paper Magazine and Director of the Paper Industry Information Center; Zhang Hongjie, Chief Expert and Director of the Packaging Materials R&D Center in the Research & Development Department; and Li Zheng, Deputy Director of the Paper Industry Productivity Promotion Center and Secretary-General of the Chemicals Specialized Committee of the China Paper Association—paid a special visit to Hunan Sentai Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The company’s General Manager, Liu Haiyun, and Deputy General Manager, Liu Kun, extended a warm welcome. Joining them were Guo Jianping, Head of Production Technology, and Zhou Zhi and Xie Aifei, heads of the R&D Department. Together, the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions and efficient exchanges on challenges related to the research, development, and production of paper-grade sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS), jointly exploring pathways for optimization and working to elevate industry quality and upgrade the sector.

China Pulp & Paper Research Institute Co., Ltd. was founded in 1956, originally known as the Paper Industry Science Research Institute of the Ministry of Light Industry. Today, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Light Industry Corporation, which is part of the Poly Group. As a national-level specialized research institution dedicated to the preservation and innovation of papermaking science and technology, the institute boasts a deep research heritage and significant achievements in pulp and paper technologies, specialty paper technologies, and environmental protection technologies. It has completed more than 1,700 research projects, providing crucial support for technological advancement in the industry. The delegation visiting this time comprises seasoned experts and managers with many years of experience in the sector, spanning research, academic publishing, and industry services, and bringing extensive industry expertise and a broad professional perspective.

As the host of this exchange, Hunan Sentai was founded in 2003 and has been deeply engaged in the cellulose industry for over two decades. It serves as a vice-chair unit of the Chemicals Professional Committee of the China Paper Association and enjoys an excellent reputation within the sector. The company focuses on the research, development, and production of functional bio‑additives such as paper‑grade CMC and CMS, offering products of superior quality and outstanding processing performance. With its robust product quality, it can effectively replace imported alternatives, earning widespread favor from both domestic and international customers. Over the years, Hunan Sentai has amassed extensive production expertise and technical experience in the field of papermaking chemicals.

At the seminar, both parties, grounded in the realities of industry development, focused on core challenges and pain points—such as bottlenecks in the R&D of paper-grade CMC and CMS, optimization of production processes, and enhancement of quality control—and engaged in face-to-face, in-depth exchanges. The R&D and production team of Hunan Sentai Biotechnology provided a detailed overview of the company’s product development pipeline, manufacturing processes, quality standards, and the technical difficulties encountered in actual production. Meanwhile, the delegation from the China Paper Research Institute, drawing on its own research strengths, cutting-edge industry trends, and its extensive experience in industry services through the Paper Industry Productivity Promotion Center and the Chemicals Committee of the Chinese Society of Pulp and Paper, offered targeted, practical recommendations and optimization strategies. They also shared the latest market demands and emerging trends for functional additives in the papermaking sector, providing valuable guidance for Hunan Sentai’s product iteration and technological upgrades.

This visit and symposium not only effectively resolved numerous challenges faced by both parties in the R&D and production of paper-grade CMC and CMS, but also forged a solid bridge for industry–university–research collaborative innovation, further strengthening the synergy between enterprises and research institutions. Looking ahead, Hunan Sentai will remain committed to an innovation-driven development philosophy, deepen its expertise in the cellulose sector, and intensify exchanges and cooperation with leading research institutions and top experts. By leveraging technological innovation to overcome developmental hurdles and delivering high‑quality products that empower the paper industry, we will join forces with our industry peers to build a new future of green, high‑end, and sustainable growth.