Ordos High-Tech Industrial Development Zone and its contracting enterprises have built a lab that integrates scientific research, technological innovation, talent training, and community service to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that cannot afford specialized experimental equipment. The lab has 62 kinds of specialized instruments and 123 experimental facilities for 80 enterprises.

Inside the shared laboratory at Ordos High-Tech Industrial Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account of Nuan News]

Apart from low-cost facilities, the lab also provides technical guidance, free data sharing, and free plant rent for 3 years, significantly reducing enterprise burdens. "The lab solves ticklish problems for enterprises and cuts costs so that we can concentrate our efforts on R&D, production, and marketing," said Wang Jiawei, an engineer from Ordos Light Energy Technology Co.

So far, the lab has served over 200 research and engineering projects and helped its contractors obtain more than 100 technical patents. 

Ordos' enthusiasm for shared labs is not confined to its downtown areas; 100 kilometers away is a modern coal chemical technology innovation intermediate test base in Uxin Banner. It is an upgraded version of a shared laboratory and the first of its kind in Inner Mongolia. 

Panoramic view of the modern coal chemical technology innovation intermediate test base. [Photo/WeChat account of Nuan News]

The base's excellent conditions have attracted waves of SMEs to conduct field research, including Inner Mongolia Huiqing Environmental Development Co. "The assembly and equipment are perfect, so we are confident doing intermediate tests here," said Yu Shuquan, a company shareholder.

Many applicants, such as Inner Mongolia Pujing Polymer Material Technology Co, became contractors. "Our project will produce biodegradable materials like polyglycolic acid and realize independent domestic production. Ordos has plenty of practice cases in this field, and the intermediate test base gathers rich technological innovation resources," said Mao Wenwu, the general manager of Pujing Polymer Material Technology. With its signed agreements, the company will conduct intermediate tests of two technologies at the base.

The base's rich resources, perfect industrial chain, and excellent project support are what attract enterprises. With building projects finished and public auxiliary facilities under construction, it has signed eight projects, with another five showing strong intention to join.

Building shared laboratories is only part of Ordos' policy mix to improve the technological innovation environment. Thanks to years of continuous efforts, the city has created many innovation platforms and attracted a number of talents. 2024 alone witnessed the introduction of 174 talents, 91 percent of whom had a master's or doctorate degree, and the acquisition of 106 intellectual property rights, up ninefold from 2023. 

Now Ordos is listed among China's top 50 cities for the best talent growth environment and ranks 33 in the nation's prefecture-level city science and technology innovation development index, making it the only city from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region on the list.