Drifting across the sea
— A Visit Report to CHINAPLAS 2021, April 13–16 [Recorded by Huang Zhiyun]

From April 13 to 16, 2021, CHINAPLAS—the China International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber—was held at the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center. As the premier event in the plastics industry, CHINAPLAS has traditionally been hosted alternately in Greater Guangzhou and Greater Shanghai. This year, however, it made its debut at the newly completed Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center, occupying Halls 2 through 17 all at once.
    
On the first day, I set off at 9 a.m. with my colleague. The journey, which normally takes an hour, was marked by a red exit icon on Amap—so we decisively took a detour via the G4 Xinqiao exit. Yet the traffic remained slow and stop-and-go, and it still took us a full two and a half hours to reach the exhibition hall. As is typical on the opening day, there was some hectic on-site debugging going on—but the young men and women at each booth still shone brightly. At LG Chem’s booth in Hall 17, I ran into many current colleagues and old friends; everything felt just as warm and familiar as ever. During the exhibition’s break, we were truly honored that our client took the opportunity to drop by the Zhen Shun Yuan Bo office at the Huangpu Vanke Center for a relaxing tea chat, deepening mutual understanding and looking forward to an even brighter future together.

The next day, we set off at 8:50 a.m. and didn't finally enter the exhibition hall until 11:30—a painfully slow journey. We just skimmed through the exhibits, taking a quick look at our No. 17 Raw Materials Hall. Along the way, we ran into brothers, sisters, and colleagues here and there. Plastic Man jokingly called it a “large-scale online meetup.” Especially since the pandemic interrupted these gatherings in 2020, this year’s reunion felt especially precious—no business talk involved, just genuine friendship. Even with masks on, after years of knowing each other so well, we could recognize old friends just by their silhouettes or by sensing their presence. When old friends meet again, there’s always some initial small talk—sometimes brief, sometimes longer. Everyone has so many people they want to catch up with, and so many others eager to see them. Even amidst the crowds, when we brush past each other and glance back briefly, saying something like, “I’ve got someone waiting for me—I’ll have to head over now, but I’ll find you later!”—we still feel wrapped in warmth and familiarity. Someone even joked, “This is Plastic Man’s annual check-in event!” If you don’t show up and say hello, we’d never know whether you’ve switched careers, changed employers, or maybe even gone off on your own adventures altogether... After meeting just three times, you start feeling familiar; the more you see each other, the closer you become. The No. 17 Raw Materials Hall—it’s big enough to feel expansive, yet small enough to make you want to linger. After wandering around for two whole days, you still can’t quite shake the feeling that you’ve been there forever. That’s just the magic of it all. Who else would I be if not Plastic Man? I’ve loved this place ever since I jumped into this world back in 2004—and I’ve never climbed out since. People often say that expertise is your eyes and your life. But faced with this vast sea of plastics, where brands abound, product varieties are endless, and quality levels run the gamut, I still feel as tiny as a little boat, drifting aimlessly amid this immense ocean of plastic, riding the waves up and down.

On the third day, we decided to leave early—better to arrive early and take a break in the parking lot than to be teased at the highway exit. We set off at 7:40 and arrived in just over 40 minutes, feeling a refreshing breeze all around us. We wandered through the Plastics Machinery Hall, where we watched live demonstrations of various machines: high-speed film blowing, fast-paced paper bag production, injection-stretch-blow molding of bottles and containers, production of biodegradable plastic bags, and high-speed, lightning-fast packaging and printing... The advanced equipment and production lines were on full display, vividly illustrating how technology has dramatically boosted productivity compared to just a decade or so ago. On a national scale, this technological leap is precisely what has enabled China to become the world’s factory and manufacturing hub. The wisdom and hard work of the people in the plastics industry have undoubtedly been among the most indelible contributions to this remarkable achievement.
Plastic people aren't made of paper. Plastic people are just like plastic—some resemble soft rubber, supremely flexible, able to conform closely to you, stick to you, yet also capable of standing tall and graceful on their own; others are like hard plastic, serving as sturdy skeletons or dazzling exteriors. In the shift from steel to plastic and in the art of plastic shaping and beautification, plastic plays an unparalleled role. Even rigid plastic people come in different types: crystalline and non-crystalline. Whether crystalline or not, they’re all alive and real, brimming with a soul where toughness and rigidity coexist in perfect harmony.
Plastic hard plastics can also be categorized vertically into distinct layers, simply and straightforwardly sorted by their heat deflection temperature (HDT) ratings. First, there are the ordinary plastics with a heat resistance below 100°C—such as ABS, PP, PS, and PE—which make up the vast majority of the hard-plastic world. Second, there are the outstanding engineering plastics that can withstand temperatures between 100°C and 200°C—namely PA, PC, PBT, POM, and PPO. Among these five major engineering plastics, each boasts high-end mechanical properties (impact resistance, tensile strength, flexural strength), thermal performance (thermal deformation, flame retardancy), chemical resistance (acid resistance, alkali resistance, oil resistance, weather resistance, etc.), and electrical properties. They combine toughness with strength—whatever you need, we’ve got it! Just let us know your expectations and critical quality requirements (CTQs). Whether you provide us with a blueprint or request a custom-made solution—be it multi-component alloys, or mineral fillers like glass fiber, carbon fiber, talc, barium sulfate, or calcium carbonate—we’ll always find a formulation that perfectly matches your needs. That’s precisely the potent efficacy and irresistible charm of our plastic modification and compounding services!
Some people say, “I just love the tall, rich, and handsome guys”—and yes, I do too! But hold on a minute! Let’s not even get into that self-comforting notion of “concentrated essence is the best,” which often masks the reality of being short, unattractive, and poor. After all, even the tallest skyscraper starts from solid ground; no matter how impressive a plastic tower may seem, it can’t stand without a broad, sturdy foundation. No worries—though you might insist on the very top-tier materials, there are elite-grade specialty engineering plastics that are so patient and accommodating they can put up with your fiery temper, enduring your scoldings at temperatures above 200°C—or even briefly exceeding 340°C! We’re talking about materials like PPS, LCP, PEEK, PPSU, PEI, and PTFE. And here’s the thing: when it comes to these high-end materials, the old 2:8 rule no longer applies. Instead, it’s an extreme 2:98 split—leaning heavily toward the premium end, sometimes even going beyond that. The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes, and that’s precisely why their prices remain sky-high. Many products may look strikingly similar at first glance, but in reality, their quality and performance could hardly be more different. Don’t let the superficially identical appearance of everyday plastic items fool you—these materials differ dramatically in their actual performance. For those young men and beautiful women out there who are searching for the perfect partner, this insight carries profound and meaningful life lessons.

The plastic exhibitors, with calm expressions yet brimming with anticipation, wore manufacturer tags around their necks that exuded the prestigious aura of a host’s VIP status. They greeted guests arriving from all directions with warm smiles, patiently offering guidance and delivering expert explanations—every detail unmistakably reflecting the professional demeanor of these plastic industry professionals. The plastic visitors, hurrying in and out, also wore tags whose durations varied according to their visit length. Whether they were drawn by the lively crowds or seeking deeper insights, each carried a bag slung over their shoulder and held a folder stuffed with materials for collecting information. They weaved through the exhibition halls, bumping shoulders with one another, occasionally pausing to gaze at a particular exhibit or even lingering briefly before a model. Sometimes they’d run into old acquaintances and chat casually; other times, they’d engage earnestly in serious discussions about project applications. Standing high up on the third floor of the exhibition hall and looking down, one could see before them an enlarged rendition of Brownian motion—a vivid tableau of human activity.
Exhibiting and visiting trade shows really put the energy and vitality of us “plastic people” to the test—and before you know it, the wear and tear can add up quite a bit. By lunchtime, both the dining area on the third floor of the exhibition hall and the quick-service food court between the exhibition halls are packed with people. You’ll find yourself standing in long lines for a simple yet pricey fast-food meal that’s rushed and hurried—but despite its mediocre taste, it still serves as the most essential fuel refill. Like cars, we “plastic people” need to be pragmatic and not too picky when it comes to eating at trade shows. If you can’t get the high-octane 98-grade gasoline, just settle for the 90-grade instead. Of course, don’t accidentally fill your gasoline car with diesel—it could lead to engine failure! As for the amount of fast food consumed, I’d say it’s one of the best indicators of how thriving—or lackluster—the trade show actually is. Are you planning to make takeout boxes?

A plastic person who can’t go hiking isn’t a good athlete. The Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center is huge and brand-new—just one round trip, with some leisurely strolling and browsing around, and you’ll likely be right up there in the top ranks of your WeChat Moments’ fitness records. If you’re wondering how to maintain a great physique, come visit our Plastic People Industry Expo. And for your everyday body shaping, feel free to follow this route—it’s definitely a healthy, purely natural approach to body sculpting, completely different from medical cosmetic surgery.

From a microscopic perspective, the movement of all things—be it living or non-living—is nothing but the process of separation and aggregation. Looking at the mid-level industry, in the realm of plastics, the various players—from raw-material producers of different brands and intermediate distributors to manufacturers of end-use products and ultimately the consumers themselves—form an entire chain that stretches from underground oil extraction and petrochemical cracking, through polymerization, modification, and pelletizing, all the way to mold machines, equipment, and the processes of extrusion, blow molding, and stretching, ultimately yielding a dazzling array of diverse and colorful products. Throughout this journey, matter constantly separates and recombines, embodying a philosophical transformation—a journey rich with profound spiritual gifts that you can fully savor. From this perspective, those of us involved in the plastics industry are truly blessed! Let us continue to embrace and cherish this happiness!

In my narrow and limited understanding, plastics rank among the top materials—alongside metals, wood, stone, paper, fibers, and others—and as long as oil reserves don't run out, this will remain a tremendously large industry that is unlikely to disappear in the foreseeable future. The industry boasts an incredibly broad and diverse range of applications: automobiles, electronics and appliances, telecommunications, household appliances, sporting goods, daily necessities, packaging, and many more. In our everyday lives, we encounter plastic products everywhere, within easy reach at all times. It is precisely these widespread and indispensable uses that have endowed the plastics industry with its remarkable and enduring vitality. And precisely because of this, the field demands a comprehensive mastery of knowledge from various disciplines—including physics, chemistry, and mechanical engineering. If you want to delve deeply into this field, you’ll need to put in considerable effort and hard work. No matter your level of experience—whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer—you can certainly find your place in the plastics industry. Plastics is a real-world, hands-on industry, and it’s precisely this kind of practical, tangible work that forms the cornerstone of economic development and national prosperity. It’s also the kind of profession that offers ample room for growth and the creation of added value. We warmly welcome new talent to join us at any time. Professionalism, entering the field, and mastering the craft are essential steps for anyone working in the plastics industry. As the saying goes, “Among three walking together, there is always one who can be my teacher.” The road ahead is long and arduous, but only through relentless effort can we achieve our goals.

These past few days, everyone has inevitably been complaining about the traffic around the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center. Why? Think about it—assuming normal commuting times, virtually every day people spend half the morning stuck in traffic. After all, so many exhibitors have invested enormous financial and material resources to participate in the show; naturally, they hope that more visitors will come to their booths, allowing for richer exchanges and deeper understanding. At the heart of participating in such an event is, of course, securing more business—otherwise, what’s the point of attending? Every morning, guests arriving from all directions find themselves jammed up long lines as soon as they reach the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Coastal Expressway’s exit near the convention center. Getting into and out of the parking lot is no easy feat either. Each day, entering the venue feels like injecting a large-sized automotive plastic component made of glass-fiber-reinforced engineering plastic—had more mold-flow analysis been conducted beforehand, optimizing the gate and runner systems and adding appropriate overflow channels, the traffic situation would probably be much smoother.

On the fourth day, although yesterday we thought we’d pretty much seen it all in three days, upon reflection, given that the manufacturers have been holding back for two years, and we’ve spent four days browsing through it, our experience still feels superficial. The more we look, the more we realize we need to dig deeper. To better serve our customers, we’ll have to make our expertise even more comprehensive and profound. Today, the number of visitors has dropped significantly, and the exhibition halls seem rather empty—by around noon, we’d already started packing up.

These days, we can’t help but touch on market conditions. Last year, amid pandemic controls and numerous restrictions and inconveniences, the global pandemic situation remained far from optimistic—but China’s performance was unusually impressive. As 2021 began, the Year of the Ox, everyone was filled with hope, praying for a prosperous and transformative Year of the Ox. Against the backdrop of sharp price hikes at the end of last year, we’d hoped that raw material prices would soon return to normal. But instead, what followed was an incredibly rapid, relentless, and unprecedented series of massive price surges—something I’ve never seen since I entered this industry back in 2004. In the past, even fluctuations of several hundred dollars were considered major upheavals; trading in specialty products usually involved just one or two varieties, which most people could still accept. Yet this year, starting from February—the first day of the lunar new year when businesses resumed work—raw materials—not just plastics, but also other metals, paper, and more—have all experienced across-the-board skyrocketing prices: 30%, 50%, 80%, and many have even doubled. PA66 and PBT have staged the craziest price hikes yet, and other materials have joined in the frenzy as well—and there’s still no sign that this upward spiral will slow down. Back then, it felt like capital speculation was driving the market; now, it feels as if some mysterious big data and giant financial conglomerates are looking down upon the world, following their own whims and arbitrarily reaping profits from unsuspecting investors—harvest after harvest. On top of that, certain countries have unleashed massive amounts of liquidity, further diluting the already thin milk of industry.
Occasional fluctuations and market swings—much like a common cold—are perfectly normal market behaviors that reflect the industry’s routine checkups and ongoing optimizations. But what we’re seeing now isn’t just volatility—it’s a tsunami. The big wheel keeps spinning, yet who knows how many real-world businesses will still be able to keep pace? Have you fallen behind? I’m really worried about some of our clients—being drained and bleeding dry still hurts terribly. Capital is bloodthirsty, and survival of the fittest is an eternal biological law. Just hang in there.
I can’t help but think of the Baihetan Hydropower Station on the Jinsha River, which recently began closing its gates to start impounding water. This process is remarkably similar to our plastic industry chain—from oil extraction and crude oil refining and processing, through material synthesis and modification, to molding and manufacturing, and finally reaching industrial and consumer markets. Just like a river that has multiple stepped dams—both tangible and intangible—each segment with its own unique elevation difference, the plastic industry chain spans from raw-material brand manufacturers and various channel distributors to end-users and consumers. If we could ensure that each segment of this “river” maintains a consistently appropriate flow rate throughout the year—neither flooding nor drying up—then all living creatures and elements within the river could coexist harmoniously and thrive healthily. That would truly be the ideal ecological chain and gradient cycle. After all, only a tree with lush branches and leaves can be considered a good tree; if you prune away too many branches and leaves, it’s bound to wither and not last long. I sincerely hope that everyone continues to improve and prosper.

The end of the expo marks a new beginning—let’s all keep striving hard and living our lives to the fullest. Those who put in the effort will always be lucky, and businesses that work hard will surely thrive. See you again from April 25 to 28, 2022, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Hongqiao, Shanghai!

— This article is written specifically for ordinary people; if you find any inaccuracies, feel free to point them out.

April 16, 2021 · Zhen Shun Yuan Bo Plastics · Recorded by Huang Zhiyun