On October 16, a groundbreaking event took place in Urumqi, marking the official launch of Xinjiang’s first complete mulberry silk industrial chain project. This development signifies the region’s achievement in establishing a full-chain production system—from mulberry planting and silkworm breeding to silk reeling and fabric weaving—thus filling a significant gap in the industrialized sericulture and intelligent manufacturing sectors in Xinjiang.
Inside the production workshop of Xinjiang Silk and Brocade Textiles Co., workers efficiently operate various machines amidst a symphony of mechanical sounds. Here, silkworm cocoons undergo meticulous processing, transforming into smooth, delicate silk fabric.
Yang Hangjie, the production manager, shared insights about the company’s operations. “Currently, we have 12 high-speed rapier weaving machines, each capable of producing between 150 to 180 meters of silk daily. Our products cater to various industries, including military, healthcare, and luxury textiles, and are exported to regions like Hong Kong and Japan.”
Yang demonstrated a local cocoon the size of a jujube, stating, “This type of cocoon, sourced right here in Urumqi, can yield about 1,200 to 1,500 meters of mulberry silk after undergoing boiling and reeling processes.”
Historically, Urumqi served as a crucial post along the ancient Silk Road, with a rich tradition in mulberry cultivation and silkworm raising. In 2023, Urumqi capitalized on the national “East Mulberry, West Migration” strategy by partnering with Hangzhou Yin Xiu Silk Co., securing an investment deal worth 10 billion yuan.
The city’s unique climate and temperature conditions are particularly favorable for silkworm farming. “In Urumqi, silkworms take approximately 32 days longer to complete their reeling cycle compared to southern regions, leading to larger cocoons with thicker layers. First-grade silk lengths can exceed 1,200 meters, far surpassing the typical 700 meters found in southern cocoons,” Yang explained.
He further added, “In Urumqi, we need only 240 kilograms of cocoons to produce 100 kilograms of silk, whereas it requires 310 to 330 kilograms in the south to achieve the same output. This advantage significantly reduces overall reeling costs and bolsters our silk production capacity.”
Given the harsh winter climate in Xinjiang, where protein mulberry doesn’t grow, the Xinjiang Silk and Brocade Textiles Co. has innovated a new intelligent silkworm farming model. This approach is bacteria-free, sealed, automated, and mechanized, utilizing innovative feed formulas to support year-round silkworm breeding, ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for the reeling department.
Thanks to the temperate, arid continental climate and abundant sunlight, Urumqi has become an ideal place for mulberry tree cultivation. In 2023, the city successfully trialed and rolled out the planting of protein mulberries, distributing over 300,000 saplings for free, expanding the planting area to over 30,000 acres. This initiative not only provides local farmers with new income opportunities but also lays a solid foundation for the silk industry’s development.
Moreover, the construction of standardized factory buildings in the second phase of Urumqi’s silk industrial park is progressing rapidly, with production expected to commence in May next year, generating around 800 jobs.
Lao Dezhi, Deputy Secretary of the Urumqi Industrial Park Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee, stated that Urumqi aims to foster the entire industrial chain, including mulberry planting, silkworm breed selection, and automated reeling, with a target planting area of 30,000 to 100,000 acres. Plans also include nurturing a group of specialized, innovative “little giants” and champions in the manufacturing sector to gradually cultivate a selection of renowned brands in mulberry silk.
“The goal for Urumqi is to become a significant production base and trading hub for mulberry silk in Xinjiang and the western region, injecting new vitality into the local economy,” Lao concluded.
