The free trade zone (FTZ) of Zhangjiagang city announced a composite core material project with Sweden-based Diab on June 15, one of the world's largest manufacturers of structural core materials.

The deal will see the construction composite core material production base in Zhangjiagang, covering 25,000 square meters, producing foam core material products, which are of great demand in China.

Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai, Ms Viktoria Li, president and CEO of Diab, Lennart Hagelqvist, and various local government officials attend the opening ceremony in Zhangjiagang on June 15 to celebrate the establishment of Diab New Materials (Zhangjiagang) Co., Ltd. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

The Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai, Ms Viktoria Li, president and CEO of Diab, Lennart Hagelqvist, and various local government officials attended the announcement ceremony.

Zhu Lifan, mayor of Zhangjiagang, believed that the project would bring Diab great returns in investment while at the same time promoting the city's industrial upgrading. In his speech, Zhu pledged strong support to create a safe and sound business environment for the development of Swedish enterprises in the FTZ.

President and CEO of Diab, Lennart Hagelqvist said the Zhangjiagang branch of Diab, a modern factory that meets global security guidelines, will always position themselves in locations to best support its customers.

Zhu Lifan, mayor of Zhangjiagang, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony to pledge support for the development of Swedish enterprises in the FTZ. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Diab has been at the leading edge of composite core material development for more than 60 years, supplying a wide range of markets including marine, wind energy, transport and aerospace. Since setting up manufacturing branches in China in 2005, Diab has expanded its business rapidly over the years, becoming the leading supplier of IPN (Interpenetrating Polymer Network) products in the country.

Early in 2006, the DIAB (Kunshan) Co., Ltd was formally established. This time, the composite core material production base in Zhangjiagang, covering 25,000 square meters, will produce foam core material products which have a massive demand in China.