Qingdao's 'hidden unicorns' drive innovation in niche markets

Inside the production facility of Qingdao LAF Technology Co in Qingdao, Shandong province, automated lines hum with precision, transforming rolls of specialty polymer materials into flexitanks — large, single-use bags designed to transport non-hazardous liquids in standard shipping containers, each capable of holding up to 25 metric tons.

"At first glance, our flexitanks may seem simple, but they incorporate multiple technological breakthroughs," said Han Fucheng, general manager of Qingdao LAF Technology.

To meet the demands of transporting various liquids, from wines to high-temperature asphalt, the company's R&D team has tackled challenges related to oxygen barrier performance, heat resistance, and high-density sealing.

Meanwhile, Triumph Haofeng Agricultural Group Co, located in Laixi, a county-level city in Qingdao, is home to the largest smart glass greenhouse operator in China.