Wu'an is witnessing a transformative leap in its traditional steel sector, driven by technological innovation and intelligent manufacturing upgrades. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has recently publicized its 2025 list of exemplary artificial intelligence application cases, with two local enterprises, Xinjin Steel and Xinxing Pipes, securing spots among only eight high-quality selections province-wide. In another milestone, Xinjin Steel's three core products have passed the initial Hebei Province high-tech product certification for 2026, earning three certificates at once and showcasing substantial R&D outcomes that underscore the industry's shift toward high-end development.

Today, technical renovations and smart upgrades dominate the agenda for steel companies in Wu'an, steering the sector toward a new growth trajectory focused on technology, quality, and innovation. Supported by policy incentives, talent development, and digital empowerment, the city is carving a path that prioritizes high-end, intelligent, and green transformation for its traditional industries.

Where to begin: a collaborative push between government and business

The local government has zeroed in on the pain points of steel industry transformation, proactively streamlining services across multiple departments to ease the burden on corporate innovation and channel benefits directly to enterprises. By coordinating efforts from science, industry, taxation, and administrative approval bodies, Wu'an has rolled out a suite of support measures, including tax deductions for R&D expenses and preferential treatments for high-tech firms, effectively lowering the cost of innovation. Special subsidies are being directed toward technical upgrades and new product development, encouraging companies to invest boldly in R&D. A tiered cultivation ledger for tech-driven enterprises enables precise, company-by-company service, with 22 firms already recognized as innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Hebei Province in early 2026, steadily expanding the reserve of innovative businesses and fueling long-term momentum for high-quality growth.

In parallel, Wu'an is building platforms for innovation incubation, having established two provincial-level incubation bases, including the Wu'an Industrial Park Entrepreneurship Service Center and the Wu'an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Base, alongside one municipal-level base. The Industrial Park center is now aiming for national-level status, providing a nurturing environment for startups and small enterprises to thrive.

University-industry collaboration unlocks sector potential

Talent serves as the core engine for industrial upgrading. This June, Jinding Steel signed an agreement with the University of Science and Technology Beijing and the Handan Steel Industry Innovation Research Institute to validate and promote a "smart blast furnace" technology. This project leverages AI large models to create a closed-loop intelligent control system, transitioning blast furnace operations from traditional experience-based methods to smart, automated processes. It represents a landmark achievement in Wu'an's model of enterprise-university-research collaboration.

In recent years, Wu'an has focused on both attracting external expertise and nurturing local talent. The city has established platforms for university-industry collaboration, regularly bringing in specialists from academia and research institutes to tackle technical challenges on-site. So far this year, 34 technical exchange sessions have been held, leading to substantive partnerships between key steelmakers like Xinjin, Jinan, Jinding, Taihang, and Xinhui with research bodies, effectively translating cutting-edge research into practical production solutions and strengthening corporate competitiveness.

At the same time, Wu'an is tapping into local talent potential by guiding companies to improve internal training systems. Initiatives like mentorship programs and distinct career pathways in management, technology, and skilled trades are building a robust talent pipeline. Jinding Steel has established its own skills training academy and introduced an internal talent review mechanism that breaks traditional promotion barriers, allowing frontline workers to boost their pay directly through technical innovations, process optimizations, or product improvements, spurring widespread enthusiasm for skill development and creative problem-solving.

Digital transformation accelerates high-end manufacturing

Step inside Taihang Steel's ESP automated workshop, and you'll see a globally leading endless rolling line operating at full capacity, driving a revolution in efficient manufacturing. "The entire line eliminates the need for reheating, producing ultra-thin strip steel at just 0.7 millimeters from molten metal in only seven minutes, cutting energy consumption by 40% and dramatically boosting output efficiency," says Li Yang, plant manager. This state-of-the-art line has enabled the company's high-end thin plates to earn EU CE certification, with exports reaching Europe and Southeast Asia, elevating both product quality and market position.

AI integration, machine automation, and digital oversight are now standard practices across Wu'an's industrial landscape, with steel and equipment manufacturers embracing smart upgrades across the board. Jinding Steel has been named a national-level benchmark smart factory, using fully digitalized processes to enable flexible, customized steel production. Xinjin Steel has deployed an industrial digital twin platform, applying AI algorithms to precisely manage energy consumption. Gongying Equipment Manufacturing has paired fully automated molding lines with RGV transfer systems, creating a seamless "smart artery" that significantly boosts productivity. Collectively, Wu'an has developed and certified 38 vertical large models and 35 intelligent agents, ranking first in Handan City and highlighting the sector's notable progress in digitalization and smart transformation.

From a past focused on output volume and scale to today's emphasis on technology, quality, and intelligence, Wu'an's steel industry has fundamentally shifted gears. It is now steadily advancing toward the higher echelons of the industrial, supply, and value chains. This traditional industrial city, powered by innovation and smart manufacturing, is revitalizing its legacy sectors and injecting sustained momentum into regional industrial growth.