An industrial park in Dongguan, Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

"The advanced 3D printing technology will help increase production efficiency once it is well connected with the traditional mould business," said Tang Yaoke, deputy general manager of Dongguan Sprintray.

The 3D printing company, which was set up in 2013 by a number graduates who had been educated overseas, has developed direct business relationship with more than 30 local mould enterprises, according to Tang.

"The 3D printing technologies are able to provide specified services for local mould manufacturing," said Tang.

According to Chen Xiwen, Party chief of Hengli, the township's GDP grew 10.9 percent year-on-year in 2015, thanks to innovative technologies being introduced to the local mould business.

"The township was once home to hundreds of original equipment manufacturers in the mould business in the 1990s, with lower production efficiency and higher energy consumption. But now it is becoming an innovative center for high-end moulds," said Chen.

Hengli has now developed 14 national-level high-tech enterprises since 2012 and two national-level mould laboratory centers.

"A growing number of mould enterprises have increased investment in research and development, thanks to strong need to upgrade their business," said Chen.

The township's investment in mould technology research and development grew from 56.5 million yuan in 2011 to 190 million yuan in 2014, according to Chen.