From the Lab to the Production Line: A Startup Breakthrough in Long-Lasting Antimicrobial Technology
After months of technical breakthroughs and business negotiations, PureSafePro, a startup incubated by the Center for Pre-incubation and Outreach (CPO), has finally reached a milestone: we have successfully entered the core market of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and officially become a raw material supplier to Grand Resources Co. Ltd., a leading enterprise at the Lishadao Precise Chemical Industry Park in Shatian Town, Dongguan (東莞市沙田鎮立沙島精細化工園區).


This is not merely the fulfillment of a commercial order; it represents a transformation of the traditional chemical industry toward "new quality productive forces" driven by scientific and technological innovation. The core raw materials provided by PureSafePro (上海明涌新材料有限公司)will be integrated into Grand Resources Co. Ltd.’s plastic pellet production line to manufacture long-lasting antimicrobial plastics. This means the market will soon see a new generation of antimicrobial materials that are truly long-lasting, safe, stable, and eco-friendly, with sustained antimicrobial efficacy and zero leaching of active ingredients.


Cross-Disciplinary Entrepreneurship: From an MA in Language Teaching to a Pioneer in Advanced Materials

 

Behind this achievement lies the perseverance of Zihao Qiu, Co-Founder of PureSafePro. As an entrepreneur holding an MA in Teaching Chinese as an International Language from EdUHK, his entrepreneurial journey does not follow the traditional "STEM lab startup" script.
However, it is precisely this cross-disciplinary perspective that has enabled him to keenly identify market pain points. In the early stages of his startup, Zihao recognized that while the traditional chemical industry is massive, there is still a significant gap in the niche sectors of "health" and "environmental sustainability." Leading his team in extensive research, he discovered that although antimicrobial plastics already exist in the market, they often suffer from short-lived efficacy and the leaching of substances. PureSafePro is dedicated to solving this long-standing industry challenge.

 

Zihao’s story proves that entrepreneurship is not confined by one's academic major; what matters most is the determination to solve societal problems. Bridging the meticulousness of humanities with the decisiveness of business, he successfully translated the rigorous thinking cultivated during his academic studies into a driving force for product R&D. Together with his team, he overcame technical hurdles to develop a novel material formula that securely locks in antimicrobial components while ensuring long-term effectiveness.


CPO Empowerment: A Solid Backing on the Entrepreneurial Journey


PureSafePro’s growth from a fledgling startup team to a partner of an industry leader would not have been possible without the comprehensive support of the Center for Pre-incubation and Outreach (CPO). During the most challenging initial phase of Zihao’s entrepreneurial journey, the CPO not only provided essential market resources but also proactively assisted in client development and product promotion. By actively connecting with relevant government departments and local institutions, the CPO effectively enhanced the visibility of Zihao and his company within both government and business circles. Furthermore, CPO colleagues accompanied him every step of the way, offering hands-on assistance in identifying opportunities and making precise introductions to potential clients, partners, and investors. This systematic entrepreneurial guidance and deep resource integration paved the way for Juchengyuan’s success.


Facing the complex chemical market environment in the GBA, the CPO’s mentorship team helped PureSafePro establish a clear business logic, enabling the team to successfully avoid early-stage market risks. Particularly when engaging with large state-owned enterprises like Grand Resources Co. Ltd, the CPO leveraged its extensive industry network to build an efficient communication bridge between the two parties, significantly accelerating the processes of technical validation and business negotiations. It is this "saddle up and ride along" incubation service that allowed PureSafePro to complete the leap from technological R&D to commercialization in a remarkably short time.
Looking Ahead: Building a Green Bay Area Together


As a leading polypropylene producer in the GBA, Grand Resources Co. Ltd.’s output value surpassed RMB 10 billion in 2025. The company is currently committed to transitioning from basic chemicals to high-end new materials. PureSafePro’s integration perfectly completes a crucial piece of the puzzle in Grand Resources Co. Ltd.’s strategic path of "extending from basic chemicals to high-end new materials."


This collaboration is a perfect synergy between the agile innovation of a startup and the robust manufacturing capabilities of a large enterprise. With the official delivery of raw materials, PureSafePro’s products will be distributed to thousands of households across the GBA and beyond via Grand Resources Co. Ltd.’s logistics network. Looking forward, we will continue to delve deep into the eco-friendly materials sector, using technology to safeguard health.


5 August 2026