A worker examines a paper-woven mat in the factory. [Photo/WeChat account: lqfabu]

In the scorching summer heat, paper-woven mats produced in Jinqing town, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, are becoming popular in both domestic and international markets, as reported by Tide News.

According to Lin Bangqiu, vice-president of the town's commerce chamber and general manager of Taizhou Xingxin Matting Co Ltd, the raw paper pulp for these mats is sourced from high-altitude areas in Chile, where temperatures are usually below -20℃. This kind of pulp is highly durable and does not dissolve in water.

These mats can be washed and folded into small, compact blocks. After high-temperature sterilization, they effectively prevent mold growth and help with moisture absorption and sweat-wicking. Furthermore, their eco-friendly nature allows them to degrade easily once discarded.

It has been reported that Jinqing town in Luqiao district, Taizhou produces nearly 90 percent of the country's total paper-woven mats. Lin noted that during March and April of this year, extreme heatwaves in several Southeast Asian regions led to a surge in demand for these mats. The products quickly expanded into overseas markets, with countries and regions such as Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia beginning to import them.

Understanding that collective growth is key to long-term success, Lin is collaborating with other local mat producers, sharing resources in both product development and workforce. Additionally, he has transformed his company into a "common prosperity" workshop, providing reemployment opportunities for over 400 local households and thereby raising their incomes.

In 2023, the paper-woven mat industry in Luqiao district had an output value exceeding 3.5 billion yuan ($481.98 million), creating over 14,000 jobs and contributing to an annual per capita income increase of more than 60,000 yuan among villagers.