A recent forum in Shandong province on the wool industry resulted in plans to create a big data center and a research center on the industry in China.

The forum on the development of the wool industry was held on June 24 in Xintai, a county-level city in Tai'an, Shandong province. More than 150 wool industry representatives from across the country took part in the event to discuss development trends in the sector.

The decision to inaugurate the two supporting centers was made at the forum.

The China Wool Textile Association, the Nanjing Wool Market, Donghua University and Michelle Wool, an Australian manufacturer of woollen products, signed strategic cooperation agreements with the Xizhangzhuang town government.

After more than 50 years of development, the wool textile industry now plays a dominant role in the economic growth of Xintai's Xizhangzhuang town, which is home to 25 above-scale textile enterprises. Its annual wool processing capacity approaches 15,000 tons, with an annual output of 20,000 tons of woollen yarn and 4.8 million meters of woollen fabrics. Sales income has reached 3 billion yuan ($440 million).

A visitor inspects woollen products on June 24 during a wool industry development forum. [Photo by Tian Yang/ dzwww.com]

A big data center and a research center on the wool textile industry are inaugurated on June 24 during the wool industry development forum. [Photo by Tian Yang/ dzwww.com]

Enterprise representatives sign strategic cooperation agreements with the Xizhangzhuang town government at the forum. [Photo by Tian Yang/ dzwww.com]

Representatives from China's wool textile industry visit Xintai's Xizhangzhuang town on June 24. The town is a strong base for the wool textile industry. [Photo by Tian Yang/ dzwww.com]