by GAO Jing, JIANG Xi
Global suppliers of coatings, adhesives and semiconductor materials are using the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, held Nov. 5–10, to expand their presence in the world‘s second-largest economy as demand surges for electric vehicles, energy storage and chips.
At Nippon Paint's booth, an autonomous eVTOL aircraft from GAC drew heavy crowds. The Japanese coatings manufacturer showcased its newly developed low-altitude flight coating system, making its global debut at the Shanghai trade fair.
"We see abundant 'innovation dividends' in China's market," said ZHONG Zhonglin, CEO of Nippon Paint China. "Rapid growth in new energy, AI and the low-altitude economy has made China a global testing ground for new technologies."
The system includes coatings for both aircraft and vertiports. The lightweight finish protects the fuselage while reducing weight, and the ground coating resists downwash and cracking. According to Nippon, several government agencies and airport groups have expressed interest.
China's low-altitude economy—a policy term covering drone and eVTOL industries—was included in the government's 2024 work report for the first time. The Civil Aviation Administration of China projects the sector to reach 1.5 trillion yuan (about US0 billion) in 2025 and 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
EV and battery materials take center stage
U.S. coatings producer Sherwin-Williams, exhibiting at CIIE for the first time, unveiled Powdura® EV, an insulating powder coating for EV batteries. The coating forms a dense layer that improves insulation and safety.
"China leads globally in battery technology and scale," said WU Zhonghua, managing director for Sherwin-Williams Asia Pacific. "Our local R&D team has built a fully competitive solution for EV and storage systems."
China supplies about 70% of global battery materials and over 60% of power batteries, with output exceeding 1,000 GWh in 2024. Sherwin-Williams said Powdura EV coatings are fully developed and produced in China, and already exported overseas—"in China, for the world."
Nippon Paint also presented new battery-pack coatings offering insulation, flame resistance and abrasion protection amid tightening safety rules.
DuPont and Henkel expand local innovation
Across the hall, DuPont, the U.S.-based materials and chemicals giant, displayed a skeletal car body traced with colored adhesive lines to show how its structural and sealing products replace rivets and bolts, reducing noise and vibration. Its Zhangjiagang facility—agreed at the first CIIE and opened in 2023—illustrates the expo's long-term impact.
"CIIE is more than a symbol of openness; it's a bridge for global cooperation and market access," said ZHANG Yi, DuPont's Asia-Pacific president.
DuPont also extended its adhesives to stationary energy-storage systems, improving sealing and rigidity. The company expects global adhesive demand for such applications to exceed 180,000 tons by 2025, worth around 22 billion yuan.
Henkel highlighted materials for advanced chip packaging, including high-thermal underfills and molding compounds that prevent warpage and cracking in thinner chips. With AI and high-performance computing driving demand, China's semiconductor market reached 1.6 trillion yuan in 2024 and could hit 2.81 trillion yuan by 2029, Frost & Sullivan data show.
Henkel said it aims to use CIIE's "spotlight and spillover effects" to speed commercialization of its newest materials.
From eVTOL coatings and EV insulation to adhesives and semiconductors, this year's CIIE shows how China is evolving from a manufacturing base into a proving ground for global materials innovation—where overseas suppliers are not just selling into demand but co-developing next-generation technologies with local partners.
