|
[SHANGHAI, CHINA – NOVEMBER 10, 2025] Sinomach Hainan Development Co., Ltd., Supield Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) announced a strategic partnership at the 2025 China International Import Expo (CIIE) to develop a sustainable Calotropis plant fiber supply chain in Africa. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the three organizations outlines a collaborative framework to establish an innovative, responsible value chain from cultivation to global market, with a shared vision of promoting community development and climate change resilience in Africa.
Building a Sustainable Textile Value Chain:
The partnership aims to create a complete Calotropis plant fiber industrial value chain, encompassing cultivation promotion, scientific research collaboration, fiber procurement and trade, material R&D, product manufacturing, and market sales. Over the next three years, the project targets cumulative imports of 3,000 tons of Calotropis fiber from Africa to China, forming a related industry chain with end-product retail sales of approximately RMB 1 billion in the Chinese market.
Collaborative Strengths for a Win-Win Outcome:
Sinomach Hainan, as the regional headquarter of China National Machinery Industry Corporation, will act as the core coordinator for the African supply chain, responsible for supply chain management, fiber sales, cultivation promotion, equipment R&D, and research coordination. Supield, an advanced functional textile new materials enterprise, will focus on product development and commercialization in the global market, including fiber procurement, fiber processing, and brand promotion. ICRAF, a leading international research and development institution on agroforestry, will provide scientific research, knowledge sharing, and community capacity building support in Africa.
A Vision for Sino-African Synergy
Highlighting the strategic importance of the collaboration, Xu Shenglong, Member of the Party Committee of Sinomach Hainan Development Co., Ltd., and General Manager of its Africa Business Department, remarked, “There are great potential for China and Africa to work better in agricultural industry. This project is a testament to that potential, combining our expertise in industrial development with Africa’s rich biological resources to create shared prosperity.”
Innovation and Market Readiness
On the commercial front, Jason Yan, CEO of Supield Technology (Shanghai), expressed enthusiasm for the market potential of the new fiber. “We have invested a great deal of effort in the research and development of the commercialization of Calotropis fiber and gave it a beautiful name, Saraha Sufi,” he said. “We are confident that its unique properties will resonate with consumers and set a new standard for sustainable textiles.”
A Commitment to Sustainability and Social Responsibility
The initiative is underpinned by a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, a core tenet of ICRAF’s mission.
Professor Xu Jianchu, Principal Scientist at ICRAF, emphasized the holistic vision for the project, stating, “This strategic partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. By establishing a sustainable Calotropis fiber supply chain, the parties aim to contribute to the development of bioeconomy for a greener, more equitable, and more resilient future for both the environment and local communities in Africa.”
Echoing this sentiment and adding a regional perspective, Dr. Sonya Dewi, Director of Asia for ICRAF, added, “This project is a powerful example of how agroforestry can bridge continents and sectors. From our experience in Asia, we know that integrating trees into landscapes and livelihood can restore degraded land and provide vital income sources. We are eager to support this initiative by sharing our knowledge and ensuring that the environmental and social safeguards are in place to make this a truly sustainable model from the ground up.”
About the Partners
Sinomach Hainan Development Co., Ltd. is the regional headquarter of China National Machinery Industry Corporation in Hainan, focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, machinery, and environmental protection.
Supield Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is an advanced enterprise in new textile materials, specializing in the development and application of functional textile materials.
World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) is a leading international research and development institution dedicated to improving food security, nutrition, income, and environmental sustainability in the tropics.
|
Home > News >