Recently I noticed new opportunities for international cooperation on research and development projects, with special government funding schemes from both Europe and China. Such projects build cooperation between industry and science, as well as between different countries. The results are better innovation and faster development.

The new technologies we develop in my company are focused very much on environmental protection and avoiding pollution. For example, our new HAPTIC 3D coating technology is based on fully waterborne chemistry and provides an additive manufacturing approach without cutting losses.

China understands the risk of pollution and is shifting priority from industrial growth to greener and healthier technology. The continuous reform process has worked wonders for poverty reduction and creating a reasonable living standard for most of the population. The new middle class can afford clean technology and is very concerned about their children’s health. However, many challenges will consequently appear, generated by a rapid growth in domestic consumption accelerated by reform and higher living standards. The only way to avoid a total environmental collapse is to create a sustainable economy utilizing green technologies and recycling of consumer products. Innovation is drastically required — domestic innovation especially — to save the environment and grow domestic consumption. China has very specific needs, and creative new technologies should be invented in China to meet the requirements of sustainable growth in China. There is a prosperous future on the horizon, if negative side effects of growth can be controlled. The reform and opening-up policy will help lift up China to be a country that is a sustainability leader, and the best place to implement new green technologies.

Thomas Schmidt is the director of innovation and RSL at Huafeng company in Putian, Fujian province.