Shenzhen Kinghelm Electronics Co., Ltd.

The Passion of Tsinghua University: Overcoming Challenges in Material Science – An Interview with Cen Jianjun of CEN Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Company

Mr.Cen Jianjun, General Manager of CEN Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. Jinshan means completing today's tasks today—a homophone for "golden mountain" or "silver mountain" —and it requires overcoming challenges like climbing a mountain. The development of the polyimide industry remains a long and arduous journey. In this issue of King Helm (www.kinghelm.com.cn), our reporting team visited Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. (china-polyimide.com), a national key enterprise recognized as a "Little Giant" in specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative industries, and conducted an exclusive interview with its founder, chairman, and general manager, Mr.Cen Jianjun. He vividly embodied the Tsinghua spirit of serving the nation through scientific research, having dedicated 29 years to advancing China's polyimide industry. He has mastered the core technology for producing high-performance polyimide films, developed various differentiated polyimide film products, and implemented the strategic vision of "playing a supporting role by developing unique polyimide products that domestic competitors cannot produce, thereby addressing customer pain points." Cen Jianjun emphasized that achieving high-quality development of China's economy necessitates first resolving the bottleneck in high-end materials within the industrial sector. Polyimide (PI) is one of the best organic polymer materials in terms of comprehensive performance, hailed as the "golden film" and "golden plastic." It boasts advantages such as resistance to extreme temperatures, high insulation, strength, radiation resistance, self-extinguishing flame retardancy, halogen-free environmental friendliness, excellent mechanical properties, and ease of recycling, making it a core material for strategic emerging industries including AI computing power, advanced semiconductor packaging, aerospace, gas separation, flexible displays, and new energy vehicles. The polyimide (PI) industry is a quintessential capital-and technology-intensive sector characterized by high technological barriers, substantial investment requirements, and significant added value. The global market exhibits an oligopolistic structure dominated by premium products and profits. Mr.Cen Jianjun stated: "Foreign companies have imposed significant technological constraints on polyimide development in many aspects, while China has long faced challenges of 'excess low-end production and reliance on imported high-end products.' CEN Jinshan is committed to advancing into the high-end product segment, continuously innovating and launching differentiated PI products to overcome the technological bottlenecks in high-end polyimide film materials, break foreign monopolies, and address the shortcomings within the domestic industry." I.Cen and Tsinghua University Tsinghua Garden, Image source: Mr.Zhao Ming, Chairman of Tsinghua Fei'en Steven Cen, whose English name "Steven" derives from Latin and Greek meanings of "crown" or "flower crown," graduated with a bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University in 1992. He recalled: "Born in 1969, I was admitted to Tsinghua University in 1987 from Yuyao High School in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, enrolling in the Department of Hydraulic and Hydroelectric Engineering, majoring in Hydropower Engineering Architecture. During my five-year undergraduate program, what impressed me most was how outstanding my classmates were. I faced all challenges courageously; although some efforts ended in failure, I refused to be defeated—my inherent refusal to give up and growing resilience after setbacks are gifts that Tsinghua has bestowed upon my life. The aspiration to' integrate personal development into collective endeavors and closely link personal achievements with those of the university and the nation' has shaped the direction of my life." Since its establishment in 1911, Tsinghua University has embodied the spirit of "redressing national humiliation and dedicating itself to the motherland." The "Tsinghua Spirit" —referring to the patriotic sentiment and commitment to serving the country among its members—was deeply rooted in this ethos. After graduating from Tsinghua University in 1992, Cen Jianjun was initially assigned to a water resources and hydropower design institute. Inspired by Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour speech, he decisively left the government sector to pursue entrepreneurship. Seizing opportunities of the era, he joined one of the most innovative real estate and foreign trade companies of the time, leveraging its wealth-creation potential and contemporary relevance. Starting from a sales position with access to extensive market information, he learned through practical experience, customer insights, and market trends. Later, he independently operated foreign trade businesses and established factories, but faced closure due to inadequate quality control. Cen Jianjun summarized this experience: "Product quality is the lifeline of an enterprise—the foundation for market competitiveness and the guarantee of sustainable development. It determines an organization's fate; without quality, there can be no growth." The academic rigor and keen insight of Tsinghua University alumni once again opened the door to entrepreneurship for Cen Jianjun. He recalled: "When the internet first emerged in 1996, many people doubted its potential. Yet I recognized the immense business opportunities it held. I began using the internet to gather information, connect with clients, and conduct trade. It was under the impetus of 'Internet+' that I delved into materials science in 1997, gradually deepening my expertise through practical trading experiences. In 1998, the call to accelerate the development of private enterprises inspired me, but the experience of factory closures made me more cautious and focused. After thorough preparation, I returned to entrepreneurship in 2001 by establishing my own factory, strictly controlling product quality from then on." For over two decades, Mr.Cen has dedicated himself to the polyimide industry, leading his team to develop high-end polyimide products competitive with international standards. He consistently embodies an innovative spirit of self-improvement, striving to overcome technical bottlenecks—a true reflection of the dedication characteristic of Tsinghua researchers. As chairman and senior engineer of Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd., he has served for years as vice president and secretary-general of the Ningbo Tsinghua University Alumni Association, currently holding the position of executive vice president, and is also a member of the Tsinghua Entrepreneurs Association (TEEC). II.Key "Little Giant": CEN Imayama Ningbo Jingshan New Materials Co., Ltd. Corporate Logo Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd., a national key "Small Giant" enterprise recognized for its specialized expertise, innovation, and distinctive advantages. Mr.Cen Jianjun founded Ningbo Jinshan Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. in 2002, and subsequently acquired land in 2011 to establish Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. (CEN NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD.). Ningbo Jinshan Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. was subsequently merged into Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd., a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, development, production, sales, and service of polyimide (PI) materials. Over the years, the company has maintained deep collaborations with prestigious institutions such as Tsinghua University and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is a member of the Society for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (SAMPE), the China Electronic Circuit Industry Association (CPCA), and the Ningbo New Materials Industry Association. The company has been honored with titles including "Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative Enterprise" at the municipal level, a national key "Little Giant" enterprise among specialized, refined, unique, and innovative enterprises, and a "National High-Tech Enterprise." Driven by innovation and committed to shaping the future, CEN Jinshan (china-polyimide.com) is located in Wangchun Industrial Park, Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. Adhering to the business philosophy of "customer-first, integrity, compliance, efficiency, and integrated innovation," the company operates modern standard production facilities spanning 20,000 square meters and a dedicated R&D center of 1,200 square meters. It boasts a domestically leading polyimide materials research team and production lines certified under ISO 9000 standards and UL certificate E248403. The company holds 13 nationally authorized invention patents, one National Key New Product award, three provincial/municipal Science and Technology Progress Awards, three Key Industrial New Products honors, and four major public projects recognized by Ningbo City, establishing itself as one of China's foremost enterprises offering the most comprehensive range of high-quality functional polyimide materials. Mr.Cen Jianjun has led Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. to become a key "small giant" enterprise. Notably, in 2026, Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. (china-polyimide.com) was recognized as a national-level key "Small Giant" enterprise under the Specialized, Refined, Unique and Innovative initiative. Mr.Cen Jianjun added, "Key Small Giants represent an elite tier selected from ordinary candidates, with higher thresholds and fewer entries. CEN Jinshan's designation as a key Small Giant enterprise in 2026 marks a milestone, setting the stage for continued excellence on our next journey!" The official Chinese and English website of CEN Imayama Company (china-polyimide.com) CEN's Jinshan plays a crucial supporting role in developing polyimide products that are not yet available from domestic competitors. Mr.Cen Jianjun emphasized, "Differentiated innovation is essential for survival in this market." CEN Jinshan (china-polyimide.com) has consistently adhered to a development strategy focused on "offering what others don't have and excelling where others are present," while avoiding cutthroat competition. Committed to providing high-quality polyimide materials, the company aims to become a world-leading enterprise in PI research and production. Mr.Cen has dedicated extensive efforts to polyimide technology research, mastering core technologies for producing high-performance polyimide films—including formulations, processes, and equipment—and developing a range of differentiated polyimide films. In market application development, the company embraces its positioning: "playing a supporting role by offering polyimide products unavailable from domestic competitors and addressing customer pain points." Koyama Professional Innovation Polyimide Product Catalog Mr.Cen Jianjun explained that polyimide is a special functional polymer with advantages such as excellent mechanical strength, high thermal stability, and superior electrical insulation properties. CEN Jinshan (china-polyimide.com) specializes in producing a wide range of high-quality functional polyimide products, which have been successfully integrated into the supply chains of global industry leaders including APPLE, Huawei, Samsung, and Tesla, and are widely used in high-tech sectors such as consumer electronics, electric new energy vehicles, flexible displays, artificial intelligence, wind and solar power, 5G communications, and aerospace. Compared to Japan's Upilex-S by Ube The high-modulus CHTS polyimide film represents a pioneering mass production achievement in China, effectively addressing the challenge of replacing imported alternatives. This product is available in specifications ranging from 12.5 to 75 μm in thickness and 520 mm in width, exhibiting outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stability, along with high modulus, excellent heat resistance, and superior mechanical strength. Benchmarking DuPont's Kapton film Black polyimide films, with thickness ranging from 5 μm to 300 μm; white polyimide films; black anti-static PI; colorless transparent PI; red PI; green PI; formable PI; thermally conductive PI; conductive PI; and high-ductility PI. Thermoplastic PI Hot-melt adhesive PI (Series A, Series T, Series M), metal foil-coated PI, Apple Black high-gloss pure PI, polyimide pure adhesive film, anti-corrosion reflective film, and high-temperature label substrate. Others Products include MPI, PI resin powder, PI/glass fiber composites, carbon fiber composites, PI with intermediate aluminum layers, low-dielectric-low-loss PI, full-PI far-infrared rigid/flexible heating film assemblies, adhesive-free PI single/double-sided aluminum foil composites, Yunyin foil, tear-resistant PI single-sided composite graphite films, ultra-thick PI sound insulation films, PI shielding absorptive insulating films, PI shielding covers, ultra-thick PI sheets, and PI adhesive pure rubber films, among others. Notably, the full-PI far-infrared rigid/flexible heating film assemblies represent a domestic first in mass production. China's first mass-produced product: the CEN Jinshan All-PI Far-Infrared Rigid/Flexible Heating Film Assembly Mr.Cen Jianjun noted that the development of CEN Jinshan (china-polyimide.com) has been relatively slow, but we embrace this pace because it represents healthy growth and demonstrates our commitment to a long-term strategy in the new materials sector. When asked how CEN Jinshan aims to "play a supporting role by developing PI products not yet produced by domestic competitors and addressing customer pain points," Mr.Cen emphasized: "First, we strive to be an honest company that actively provides high-quality products to customers without expanding into downstream products, thereby avoiding competition with certain clients; second, we drive innovation to differentiate ourselves—continuously launching new products while phasing out outdated ones—to maintain our focus on offering unique solutions; third, we engage closely with customers to understand their needs and address unmet demands. CEN Jinshan is dedicated to customizing and developing PI materials with specialized structures and applications tailored to specific applications." III.Mr.Cen Jianjun is willing to serve the industry as a dedicated and selfless contributor. Mr.Cen Jianjun (first from left) contributed his expertise and efforts as the moderator of the roundtable forum. As a leading figure in China's polyimide industry, Mr.Cen Jianjun has made significant contributions in various areas including the research and development of polyimide (PI) materials, process optimization, quality control, industrialization and application, supply chain collaboration, and breakthroughs in "bottleneck" technologies across industry-academia-research partnerships. He has published numerous landmark industry papers globally, such as "Six Types of New PI Materials for 5G Communications," "Application of PI in Electric New Energy Vehicles," "Use of Thermoplastic Full Polyimide Coatings Without Curing Resin," "Development of PI Materials and Their Potential Applications in Humanoid Robots," and "Polyimide Films on CCS, Busbars, and FPCs in New Energy Vehicles." Additionally, he was invited to attend the "8th Shiyin (Zhoushan) Advanced Polyimide Materials Industry Conference 2025" and served as the moderator of the roundtable forum, engaging in insightful discussions with prominent industry experts to explore future trends and foster a platform for global knowledge exchange. Mr.Cen Jianjun received the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation Secretary-General Bu Xinping of the Special Committee on New Chemical Materials, accompanied by his delegation A gentleman is not confined to a single role; a role serves to embody the Way! This means that a gentleman should not be limited by one specific skill or position but should instead possess extensive knowledge, integrate diverse expertise, apply his talents effectively, progress from "becoming competent" to "understanding the Way," and fulfill his mission through virtue and original aspirations. This wisdom transcends time and space. Mr.Cen Jianjun, Uphold Tsinghua University's vision, has dedicated over two decades to self-directed learning and persistent innovation in China's polyimide (PI) industry. He not only broke through foreign technological barriers by developing PI products that domestic competitors could not produce—such as "high-modulus CHTS polyimide films and fully PI-based far-infrared rigid/flexible heating film assemblies, all pioneering mass production in China" —but also promoted collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application, continuously unlocking cutting-edge uses for polyimide across various sectors. He noted: "Polyimide (PI) finds applications in FCCLs, TABs, TAPE high-temperature cables, battery buffer gaskets, and more. Its use in electric new energy vehicles is extensive, covering cell materials (cathode, anode, separator), cell formation (tabbing, coating), FPC and FFC wiring in battery packs, side plate insulation in packs, insulation between packs and liquid-cooled plates, busbars, aluminum bars, copper sheets, impregnated insulation (PAA), body-side pressure sensors, electronic planar transformers, PTC insulation in air conditioning heating and water cooling systems, lithium battery heating elements, antennas, and other FPC applications—totaling ten scenarios. It is also widely used in lightweight composite materials and automotive components. Particularly, the polar nature of its large π-conjugated bonds and imide bonds offers limitless potential for future battery applications!" Mr.Cen Jianjun (center) maintains close collaboration with his alma mater, Tsinghua University, promoting collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application. More importantly, Mr.Cen Jianjun, embodying the spirit of a scientific researcher, led an elite R&D team in overcoming the core technological challenges of polyimide (PI), a critical "bottleneck" material. Through innovation in PI materials, he strengthened the industrial foundation of China and demonstrated the strength and responsibility of Chinese enterprises in international competition, inspiring more people to collaborate in advancing, developing, and applying these technologies. He sincerely advised, "We must remain focused, persevere with unwavering determination, and be willing to endure prolonged periods of solitude. Entering this industry is fortunate—it's a promising field. However, the long-term healthy development of the industry requires collective efforts to excel in product quality and professional competence, because at its core, no matter how competitive or price-driven the market becomes, success ultimately hinges on delivering superior products—only then will you secure a place for yourself." The outstanding team led by Cen Jianjun at Ningbo Jingshan New Materials Co., Ltd. "No matter how high the mountain, climbing upward will always lead to the summit; no matter how long the journey, persevering will surely bring success." The polyimide (PI) industry is currently experiencing a remarkable boom characterized by surging demand, domestic substitution of imported products, and capacity expansion. Amid this thriving momentum, Mr.Cen Jianjun, Founder and Chairman of Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd., has outlined a development roadmap for CEN Jinshan (china-polyimide.com): First, prioritize compliance as the foundation toward listing objectives. CEN Jinshan's current focus is on ensuring the stability and reliability of its new products to steadily expand market share and meet the scale and profitability requirements for IPO. The company has consistently emphasized standardized management practices, integrating all operational processes with IPO compliance standards. Second, accelerate listing preparations to drive sustainable growth. CEN Jinshan is actively seeking suitable external partners; an IPO would enhance access to international capital markets and propel leapfrog development. Third, expand production capacity and enhance efficiency through technology adoption. Future plans include acquiring land within a chemical industrial park to establish new film production lines, introduce chemical-based manufacturing processes, and develop PI resin powder and composite materials. Here, Mr.Song Shiqiang, General Manager of Kinghelm (www.kinghelm.net) and Sako Micro (www.slkoric.com), extends his best wishes to Ningbo Jinshan New Materials Co., Ltd. (china-polyimide.com) for steady growth and a successful IPO, hoping it will continue contributing to the breakthrough of China's polyimide (PI) industry and the accelerated advancement of domestic substitution. He also wishes Mr.Cen Jianjun to uphold his patriotic commitment as a Tsinghua alumnus, persist in the PI materials sector, drive continuous innovation, and lead the way forward!