#China #Smart Manufacturing #Angel Yeast #Yichang #Eco-Collaboration

Setting New Standards in Smart Manufacturing

In the wake of geopolitical tensions and rapid technological advancements, the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in 2025 brought together nearly 3,000 leaders from diverse sectors to discuss collaboration in the age of intelligence while addressing global challenges. Angel Yeast (SH600298), a leader in yeast innovation, is actively responding to this call by promoting technological innovation and paving the way for smart factories.

Full Chain Intelligence Revolutionizing Data-Based Efficiency

At Angel Group’s fully automated synthetic biology industrial park located in Hubei’s Xiaoting district, robotic arms perform precise tasks while intelligent robots ensure continuous transport, facilitating the monthly production of 2,000 tons of yeast-based products. With an investment of 4 billion yuan, the merging of intelligent manufacturing and the transformation of industrial workers marks the dawn of a new technological era.
As the group's first digital intelligent factory, the Yichang base has implemented a comprehensive intelligent system that encompasses research and development as well as production. This facility boasts over 2,000 smart devices seamlessly integrated with systems like WMS, WCS, PCS7, material flow automation systems, and smart park systems, showcasing a highly automated, digitalized, and flexible production landscape equipped with complete data collection processes and traceable information. Angel’s smart factory takes it a step further by integrating fermentation data from 11 global production bases via a large-scale industrial data platform, enhancing group-wide efficiency. Additionally, the intelligent transformation of key processes and the implementation of MES systems in food raw materials, health, and nutrition sectors have successfully digitalized the production lines.

Eco-Collaboration in the Circular Economy

The Xiaoting synthetic biology industrial park features an integrated synthetic biology supply chain that tightly connects four companies through shared production cycles, starting from fermentation raw materials to bio-manufacturing and product applications. Angel Yeast specializes in yeast production and yeast extracts, while the Angel Enzyme Preparations Project focuses on enzymatic preparations and bioproducts. Hubei Maiggic Technology aims for nutraceutical ingredients and functional materials for personal care, whereas Hubei PHAngel Biotechnology is dedicated to developing biodegradable biological materials. The symbiotic effects of this industrial chain are particularly pronounced, with Angel's enzyme preparation company dispatching 600 tons of fermentation intermediates to Maiggic Technology each month for vitamin K2 production. Furthermore, by sharing infrastructure for water, electricity, and gas distribution, the park significantly reduces environmental protection-related costs by 30%. Liu Wei, a technician at Maiggic Technology, remarked, “Pipelines transport raw materials directly, saving 30% on logistics costs. The park operates as our super supply chain.” With the pilot production of PHAngel Biotechnology’s 30,000 tons of PHA nearing commencement, the synthetic biology industrial hub is beginning to take shape.

Coexistence of Machines: A New Era of Golden Collars

In response to the wave of transformation, Angel has introduced a “no layoffs + skill enhancement” strategy. An illustrative experience comes from Mou Cui, a worker in the packaging workshop. Following the implementation of intelligent systems, the production lines she oversaw expanded from one to three, resulting in a 20% income increase. “I now have to understand equipment operation and data analysis. Company training has helped me become a ‘multitasking person,'” she shared. Chen Yongqiang, the factory’s general manager, affirmed that the company would not engage in proactive layoffs, ensuring job security for its employees. Through various training programs, over 10 employees have transitioned to become primary operators on new production lines, even climbing into management roles. The shift to smart production lines has significantly boosted efficiency, with per-capita output increasing by 11% and overall labor productivity by 8% in 2024.

From traditional fermentation to synthetic biology, and manual operations to digital pairing, the Angel Group is reshaping the industry's ecosystem through "smart manufacturing." As the industrial park progresses, this dual transformation of intelligent manufacturing and human capital is spurring the revitalization and modernization of the manufacturing sector.