UV, A Promising Future! - Reflections on RadTech 2025

The 26th China Radiation Curing Annual Conference and Exhibition (RadTech China 2025), a major annual event for China's radiation curing industry, has successfully concluded in Suzhou. As a professional in the field, I was fortunate to participate in this grand gathering of knowledge, technology, and business opportunities. This conference was not just a simple industry meeting; it was a powerful handshake and a profound self-reflection for colleagues in the UV/EB curing industry amidst the current complex economic situation.

An Industry Event, A Deep Connection 

This year's conference was unprecedented in scale, with over 600 industry elites gathering to discuss the future of radiation curing technology. More than 100 high-quality academic reports and technical presentations covered topics ranging from fundamental theories to cutting-edge applications, which was truly eye-opening. At the same time, the active participation of over 90 exhibitors created a complete industry chain ecosystem, allowing for seamless connections between upstream and downstream enterprises, from raw materials and equipment to terminal products.

One of the highlights of the conference was its high level of professionalism and forward-thinking nature. Whether it was about the latest advancements in UV/EB curing technology, breakthroughs in coil coating applications, or the exploration of new fields like electronic materials and biomedical applications, every report was filled with valuable information. This was not just a transmission of knowledge but also a collision of ideas, allowing everyone to draw inspiration and find new directions.

Moving Forward Against the Wind, Opportunities Still Exist 

The current domestic and international economic situation is undoubtedly full of challenges. Many companies are facing difficulties such as declining profits and operational hardships. However, at this conference, I saw a different scene: even in such a market environment, everyone maintained high enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Many companies traveled from afar, not to complain, but to seek new breakthroughs and business opportunities. This deeply moved me.

This precisely demonstrates the vitality of the UV/EB curing industry. While it cannot be said to be "rising against the trend," it is undoubtedly a field full of opportunities. Its application areas are continuously expanding, from traditional fields like wood and printing to the now booming areas of:

UV/EB cured coil coatings for industrial upgrading, which inject new vitality into traditional manufacturing.

The increasingly popular 3D printing technology, where UV cured materials are an indispensable core component of photopolymerization 3D printing.

The electronic materials sector in urgent need of breakthroughs, where the demand for localization brings huge opportunities for the industry.

Cutting-edge applications in bio-based materials and medical devices, which show a broader future.

These diverse application directions are precisely the foundation for us to weather economic cycles. As long as we are good at discovering and seizing them, opportunities will be there.

Rejecting Internal Competition, Improving Ourselves 

Finally, I want to share a very important insight: "There is only a sluggish market, not a sluggish company." 

During market downturns, we often see "involutionary competition" intensify. To compete for a limited market share, everyone lowers prices, ultimately leading to a decline in industry-wide profit levels and a vicious cycle. However, the message conveyed at this conference is that we should reject this low-level internal competition.

The real way out lies in improving our own understanding, calming down, and focusing on research and development and technical accumulation. We should not blindly fight in crowded "red ocean" tracks but should instead think about how to use technological innovation to open up new "blue oceans". When we have unique technical advantages and higher product added value, we can naturally break free from the shackles of price wars.

This conference has strengthened my belief that UV/EB curing technology is not a sunset industry on the verge of decline, but a sunrise industry with huge potential. As long as we maintain a spirit of innovation and focus on improving technology and quality, we can find our own "promising" path in this challenging era.