Xinhua
28 May 2025, 12:47 GMT+10
KUNMING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Yannick Benichou, a French national with a master's degree in nuclear energy from Tsinghua University, never imagined his career would lead him to dealing with insects in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
In 2016, Benichou joined Anning Decco Biotech Co., Ltd., a multinational company with over two decades of involvement in Yunnan's shellac industry. Recognizing the global potential of this niche sector, he has been instrumental in driving the company's international growth.
"Shellac was traditionally used in ancient Chinese medicine. Today, it's used in a wider range of things such as chewing gum, candy coatings, chocolate glazing, fruit preservation, and even in carbonated beverages and baked goods," said Benichou, as he showed shellac samples while confidently speaking in fluent Mandarin.
Shellac is a natural resin secreted by shellac bugs as they feed on host trees. Non-toxic, insulating, moisture-resistant and antifungal, shellac has been used for over 3,000 years. While its early applications were largely medicinal, it now finds broad use across the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and high-end manufacturing industries.
China is the world's third-largest producer of shellac, following India and Thailand. As the main shellac production base in China, Yunnan contributes 95 percent of the country's total output.
In recent years, Yunnan's shellac has gained increasing popularity both at home and abroad.
"Shellac trees are particularly well-suited to Yunnan's mountainous terrain. They are easy to manage, yield quick returns and deliver high economic benefits," said Chen Youqing, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Forestry, adding that the crop has become an important means for local farmers to boost their incomes.
Benichou said his company chose Yunnan not only for its long history and abundant shellac resources, but also for its strategic location linking South and Southeast Asia.
He added that the province's rapidly improving infrastructure over the past decade -- especially the launch of the China-Laos Railway in 2021 -- has significantly enhanced the region's connectivity with neighboring countries, further strengthening its role in cross-border trade.
Last year, Benichou's company achieved sales revenue of 84.37 million yuan (about 11.75 million U.S. dollars), with an annual output of 800 tonnes of refined shellac. Its products are now exported to the United States, Spain, Italy, Britain, Israel and South Africa.
Meanwhile, the province's total shellac exports under customs supervision surged 44.2 percent year on year in the first quarter this year, reaching 16.87 million yuan. Key export markets included Britain, Spain, Italy and South Africa, according to Kunming Customs.
Looking ahead, Benichou hopes to turn Yunnan's ecological advantages into economic benefits by expanding into global markets and contributing to rural revitalization across the province.
Get a daily dose of Kolkata Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.
More InformationZERMATT, Switzerland: Five skiers were found dead on a mountain in Switzerland near the popular ski resort of Zermatt, officials said...
TORONTO, Canada - Tens of thousands of people from across Canada have marched in support of Israel in a massive turnout in Toronto....
BOSTON, Massachusetts: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has taken away Harvard University's right to enroll international...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he believed God was behind his election loss in 2020, even though he has...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Passenger numbers at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have dropped sharply, according to...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: European Union antitrust regulators are examining fees imposed by payment giants Visa and Mastercard, Bloomberg...
BOSTON, Massachusetts: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has taken away Harvard University's right to enroll international...
KUNMING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Yannick Benichou, a French national with a master's degree in nuclear energy from Tsinghua University,...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, is scheduled...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): The government's decision to raise Additional Performance Security (APS) requirements for aggressively...
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 28 (ANI): With DMK allocating one Rajya Sabha seat to Makkal Needhi Maiyam, its founder and actor...