Standing on the riverbank, the winding Huai River waterway stretches across the plain like a silver ribbon. In July, the second phase of the Huai River waterway project marked its fourth year since construction began, with over half of the work now complete. At the heart of this historic flood-control initiative, which carries the century-old hopes of communities along the river, Lanshen Group Co., Ltd. served as a key equipment supplier, customizing and successfully delivering 50 sets of high-performance water pumps that secured the water supply "artery" during the construction phase.
This scenario vividly reflects the robust strength of Nanjing's private economy. In the first half of this year, the city's industrial output value above a designated size grew by 4.1% year-on-year, with the private sector posting a 10.3% increase, making it the primary engine driving Nanjing's industrial growth. The momentum of surging water can even move stones, illustrating the power of a strong trend. From these impressive growth figures, it's clear that many private enterprises in Nanjing are riding the wave of opportunity, cultivating favorable conditions, and consolidating their strengths. They are delivering outstanding mid-year results through tangible efforts, injecting dynamic energy into the city's high-quality development.
Riding the Trend: Domestically Following the Industrial Transformation Wave, Globally Embracing Development Opportunities
The second phase of the Huai River waterway project is not only the largest water conservancy project in Jiangsu since the founding of the People's Republic of China but also a strategic undertaking in the Huai River flood control system. The Binhai hub project, a key component, sits at the intersection of the waterway and the Tongyu River. Using a large-scale excavation method, this phase temporarily cuts off the Tongyu River at the waterway crossing, making a reliable temporary water supply system crucial. To address this, Lanshen Group customized 25 sets of 75 kW medium-suction submersible pumps and 25 sets of 900mm diameter, 280 kW submersible axial-flow pumps. These devices operate around the clock, not only resolving the water flow interruption during construction but also ensuring the safety of irrigation and domestic water supply for millions of acres of farmland along the Tongyu River.
Inside the production workshop of Hengtian Lingrui in the Lishui Development Zone, rows of new energy buses on the assembly line are ready for delivery, with workers performing final checks. In the first half of this year, the company delivered nearly 1,000 units of complete vehicles and electric platform products, with overseas exports accounting for over 90% of sales. Revenue reached nearly 500 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 50%. "Our current order book extends through October, and we project annual output value will exceed 1 billion yuan," said Liu Lianshan, Director of the Production and Manufacturing Center. How has Hengtian Lingrui managed to expand its overseas market? The company holds core technologies across the entire "motor, electronic control, and battery pack (PACK)" chain. Its self-developed high-speed motor can reach speeds of 15,000 revolutions per minute, easily handling the demanding conditions of long-term, high-load commercial vehicle operations.
Listed company Benebak Intelligent also reported positive results: it expects net profit attributable to shareholders for the first half of the year to be between 32 million and 48 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 49.12% to 123.68%. PCBs (printed circuit boards) are the "skeleton" and "blood vessels" of electronic products. Against the backdrop of the AI computing boom and the restructuring of the global electronics supply chain, demand for high-end PCBs is experiencing a significant surge. Recently, Benebak Intelligent's self-developed CIPB (Chip-Imbedded Power Board) product successfully completed sample verification with a leading AI server power supply customer and formally entered their supply chain, positioning the company at the forefront of industry development. Additionally, in March, Benebak Intelligent broke ground on a PCB production base project in Thailand, marking a solid step in its global expansion.
Domestically, they follow the industrial transformation wave, forging core strengths through digital upgrades. Internationally, they embrace global development opportunities, building the Nanjing brand through overseas competition. In the first half of this year, a wave of private enterprises in Nanjing rode the trend, finding growth coordinates at the intersection of national strategy and the global market, solidifying their development foundation in a vast market space. The resilience and vitality of the private economy are fully evident.
Cultivating the Trend: Nearly 40% of Private Enterprises Engage in Strategic Emerging Industries, Bringing "High-End" Technologies to "Hot" Markets
In the laboratory of Hefei Xingneng Xuanguang, a 18.5-meter-long nuclear fusion device is operating. This is the well-known "artificial sun," which, once it successfully generates power, could provide a continuous source of clean energy. On this giant device, a row of palm-sized "little boxes" are safeguarding the artificial sun. These "little boxes," called silicon-based terahertz interferometers, were independently developed by Taijing Technology (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. Not long ago, Taijing Technology delivered 25 sets at once, marking the largest single order in the field of controlled nuclear fusion terahertz interferometers to date. Terahertz technology is a "high-end" concept, with high chip manufacturing costs being the core challenge for its application. Since its founding in 2020, Taijing Technology has focused on one thing: using silicon-based CMOS processes to manufacture terahertz chips, thereby driving down costs. Today, the company is an industry leader: its self-developed chips cover multiple frequency ranges from 120GHz to nearly 500GHz, with its 350GHz mainstream frequency band performance reaching the global first-tier commercial level, completing a full layout from chips to modules to instruments.
Inside the production workshop of Nanjing Deepruick Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., four fully automated production lines are running at full capacity. Robotic arms operate with precision and efficiency, and cylindrical catalyst converters are quickly packed and shipped after filling, coating, and marking. Deepruick specializes in emission control technology for motorcycles and small general-purpose power equipment. Its self-developed nano-level catalyst coating technology can increase the conversion efficiency of harmful gases like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in exhaust fumes to 98%. Leveraging its strong technology and stable production capacity, the company's output value in the first half of the year reached 165 million yuan, up 11.5% year-on-year, and it is fully committed to achieving its full-year target of 300 million yuan.
More private enterprises are pursuing green and sustainable goals. Over two years ago, Rongxin (Nanjing) Energy Technology Co., Ltd. established itself in the Qilin Science and Technology Innovation Park in Nanjing. The company's mission sounds almost unbelievable: making batteries using water. Chairman Lu Jie explained that widely-used lithium batteries operate on an "oil-based" path, using organic solvents as the conduction medium, allowing ions to move in a "flammable oil." In the event of a short circuit, overcharging, or physical stress, they are prone to thermal runaway, causing fires or explosions. In contrast, aqueous energy storage batteries operate on a "water-based" path, using a water-based electrolyte as the conduction medium, allowing zinc ions to travel in "non-flammable water," fundamentally eliminating the possibility of combustion or explosion. Currently, Rongxin Energy has established a standardized pilot production line in Nanjing, achieving small-batch, stable production of various cell specifications. The company plans to build a 100 MWh-class pilot production line between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, achieving the first delivery of commercial products.
The "2025 Nanjing Private Economic Development Report" shows that emerging industries are a key direction for innovation breakthroughs in Nanjing's private sector. Among the 453 surveyed companies, nearly 40% are involved in strategic emerging industries, with over half deriving more than 80% of their revenue from these sectors. Creating new opportunities on the frontier and seeking breakthroughs at technological bottlenecks—this power of "cultivating the trend" is the core secret behind Nanjing's private enterprises continuously breaking through growth ceilings and maintaining a competitive posture.
Consolidating the Trend: Industrial Clusters Emerge from Blank Spaces, Innovation Ecosystem Fuels Pragmatic Vitality
In the heat of midsummer, the ship parts industry cluster in Jingshiao Town, Lishui, is buzzing with activity. Inside the workshop of Nanjing Jingyun Ship Parts Co., Ltd., laser cutters precisely shape materials, and welding robots operate in an orderly fashion. General Manager Rui Shengwei revealed that Jingyun Ship Parts achieved an output value of nearly 60 million yuan in the first half of the year, with current orders totaling 200 million yuan, and some product schedules extending to 2030. Led by this flagship company, neighboring enterprises are also operating at full capacity and planning expansions. Before 2020, the ship parts industry base in Jingshiao Town was relatively weak. In the first half of this year, sales revenue for the town's related industries reached 201 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 30%, with the initial shape of an industrial cluster forming.
While individual advancement is impressive, building a cluster creates lasting strength. Looking out from the high point of the Nanjing Biomedical Valley in the Jiangbei New Area, the 20.51-square-kilometer park unfolds before the eyes. Over a decade ago, this was an industrial "blank spot." Now, it has gathered over 1,300 upstream and downstream biomedical enterprises, ranking 8th in comprehensive competitiveness among national biomedical parks. In February, Nanjing Noling Biotechnology Co., Ltd., located in the valley, submitted its IPO prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, officially aiming to become the "first stock in the NO diagnosis and treatment track." Nitric oxide (NO) is a clinical emergency medical gas that helps critically ill patients improve breathing and unblock blood vessels. Noling Biotechnology, using its fourth-generation electrochemical catalytic reduction technology, has enabled hospitals to generate this "life-saving gas" of nitric oxide at the bedside for the first time. Its products have been exported to nearly 10 European countries. The medical device industry faces the "three mountains" of long R&D cycles, high technical barriers, and large capital requirements. From building innovation platforms and attracting high-level talent to applying for science and technology projects and connecting industrial resources, the Jiangbei New Area has developed a comprehensive "nanny-style" service system. "The best business environment is not just simple policy incentives, but an innovation ecosystem that can bring together talent, technology, capital, and industry," said Mao Wen, the company's chairman.
With accumulated strengths, they are making significant strides. In the vast landscape, they have great potential. As the second half of 2026 approaches, Nanjing's private enterprises are poised to gallop forward like a "thousand horses," writing a chapter of unyielding progress, making the sound of innovation louder and the tide of development higher.