Ningbo Jinzhan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Jinzhan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. began in 1989 as the Ninghai Organic Chemical Factory and took its present name in May 2019, when it converted from a sole proprietorship to a limited company. Its business scope and site were unchanged: the plant remains in the Xidian industrial zone of Ninghai County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province.

The company makes tartaric acid and its derivatives, covering L(+)-tartaric acid, DL- and D-tartaric acid, and tartrate salts and esters including potassium hydrogen tartrate. It introduced L(+)-tartaric acid production to China. Total annual capacity across the tartaric acid range is 35,000 tonnes, on a company-owned production base of 20,000 square metres, with total assets of 250 million yuan. Applications span food, pharmaceuticals, beverages and construction materials.

The company obtained its own export licence in 1999. When the European Union opened an anti-dumping case on Chinese tartaric acid in 2004 it contested the action and was assigned one of the lowest duty rates, and in June 2012 it again secured a low rate of 8.3 per cent for a further five years. Quality systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 22000, with Star-K Kosher and IFANCA Halal certificates and a Chinese production licence for tartaric acid and potassium hydrogen tartrate. Products are made to BP, NF, USP, FCC and JP specifications. A provincial research institution operates in cooperation with Chinese academic and research bodies.