The 21th International Pulp and Paper Industry Expo-China (Paper Expo China) opened in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, showcasing the latest technologies and flagship products across the paper industry chain.
Running through Friday, the event brought over 200 leading domestic and international paper manufacturers and equipment suppliers.
The expo features multiple exhibition areas, including pulp-making machinery and paper-making chemical areas, covering advanced equipment, materials, design, and solutions.
Among the standout innovations at the expo is specialty paper. One exhibitor introduced washable kraft paper, a material that is not only wear-resistant and wrinkle-resistant but also biodegradable, offering a greener alternative to conventional options.
While the paper can be used for packaging bags and home decor, the real surprise comes from the exhibition booth itself. Bags and even shoes on display are made entirely from this kraft paper. The material feels similar to leather but is much lighter.
"Compared to genuine leather, this material can be sold at about one-third the price. It can last ten or twenty years without oxidation or bubbling. In contrast, PU and genuine leather, after foaming process and surface treatments, will fall apart in three to five years," said Pan Chengzheng, a staff member from Dongguan Guangzheng Paper Industry Co., Ltd.
Another exhibitor, Guangzhou Junlong Paper Frontline Culture Co., Ltd., showcased paper with a rougher texture and excellent flexibility. The product, made from water hyacinth and rice straw fibers, features a natural, mottled appearance with visible plant fibers. Another product, crafted from sisal and mulberry root bark, offers great thickness and high tensile strength.
"Our commitment to environmental protection has been showcased in the product and be recognized by customers. Our sales and orders remain relatively stable, and some domestic companies have recommend these two types of paper to international clients," said Lin Lin, a staff member from the company.
The event has also drawn international buyers who value the quality and reliability of Chinese paper manufacturers.
"Chinese manufacturers, they have good technology and good products. So we do business since last the 24 years with Chinese companies," said a buyer from India.
Expo showcases surprising uses for paper in Guangzhou
The Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in south China's Guangdong Province has received over four million visitors since opening on May 1 last year.
In addition to gaining astounding popularity, the museum has been selected as one of the "World's Most Beautiful Museums" by UNESCO.
One morning during the first anniversary period of its opening, the museum was already packed with student groups and family visitors as early as 10:00.
To the delight of the hundreds of children attending on that day, the museum is filled with highly interactive exhibits that are as fun as they are educational. In the AI ping-pong robot zone, visitors play matches against a robot, which adjusts its difficulty level in real time according to human opponent's skill, precisely matching ball speed and strength.
"I tried seven or eight exhibits. My favorite is the ping-pong. The experience showed me how powerful science can be, and the ping-pong robot made me realize that machines can be so amazing," said Mo Jiquan, a young student from Guangdong's Zhongshan City.
In the "Smart Industry" hall, a group of students from Singapore learned to race model cars controlled by brainwaves.
By pressing foreheads against an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal collection device and concentrating, the students used the power of their minds to propel the cars forward.
"Science fiction has become reality. These things are different from what we learn at school. For example, these brainwave-control devices, we have never seen anything like them. So I think it's a new and very meaningful experience," said Chen Mengfanglin, a student from Singapore.
Among the museum's 950 innovative exhibits, such as brain-computer interfaces, simulated space capsules, dexterous hands, 80 percent offer deep interactive experiences.
More importantly, these exhibits are dynamically updated as industrial technologies evolve.
"I think this place is very futuristic and fun. This is my second time here. I feel that there are more exhibits, and the technology has advanced," said Wu Zining, a Shenzhen student.
According to the museum, visitor numbers remain steady on weekdays, surge significantly during holidays, and overseas visitors have seen a notable increase since the beginning of this year.
"Our museum receives between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors on weekdays. On holidays, we get around 30,000 visitors per day. Since the beginning of this year, the number of overseas visitors has also risen significantly," Zhang Haitian, director of the Exchange and Cooperation Center of the museum.
Unlike traditional science museums that simply display items alongside written explanations, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum has pioneered an approach that combines innovation, public outreach, and education into one seamless experience.
Over the past year, it has collected 39 technology transfer projects, held 10 "deep science and technology" project matchmaking events, and brought research institutes, leading enterprises, investors, and the public together, creating a new ecosystem linking government, enterprises, research institutes, and the museum.
"On the basis of the original basic functions of a science and technology museum, we have taken a bolder step forward. We have extensive links with sci-tech innovation companies, so a steady stream of new technologies, achievements, products and ideas flow into the museum. We also have close interactions with science fiction and cultural heritage sectors, integrating science and technology with culture and art. Through flexible cooperation with various industries, this approach has opened up unlimited possibilities for the entire science and technology museum," said Zheng Yongchun, head of the museum.
Interactive sci-tech museum in south China hosts 4 million visitors in first year
