The Shanxi subevent of the National Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week is held in Taiyuan from Sept 15 to 21. [Photo by Li Zhaomin for China Daily]

The boom in innovation in Shanxi can create momentum for local economic development and an increase in entrepreneurship is a signal of confidence in local markets, participants said during a promotional event.

The event, held from Sept 15-21 in the city of Taiyuan, was part of the National Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week. It included exhibitions, forums, contests, promotions and on-site training.

According to the organizers, 100 successful innovation and entrepreneurship examples were displayed.

One standout was local tech company Shanxi Yichuneng Technologies, which presented its cutting-edge fluorine-ion membrane.

An executive of the company said the innovative product is the core material for vanadium redox batteries. They are now mainly used for the storage of solar energy.

"With the properties of high tensile strength, high resistance to erosion and high conductivity, the fluorine-ion membrane is a crucial component for improving a battery's storage capacity and prolonging its life cycle," the executive said. He added that the membrane can be used in other types of batteries and for hydrogen production involving water electrolysis technique.

He said the company now owns two fully automatic production lines, with an annual output of more than 40,000 square meters of products.

Another highlight of the event was a smart logistics solution developed by Shanxi Kuaicheng Logistics Technologies.

Wang Teng, a manager of the company, said the solution is empowered by such new-generation information technologies as 5G internet, big data, the internet of things and blockchain.

"Logistics companies can access the solution through a smartphone app, which helps them identify suppliers and make settlements online," Wang said. In addition, he said the transporting vehicle's image and travel trajectories can be tracked online, so couriers can better manage their operations.

The Shanxi-based company now has its services available in 18 provinces and regions in China. Its online transaction volume ranks in the top three nationwide, according to Wang.

In addition to exhibitions and displays, a contest for innovation and entrepreneurship aroused great enthusiasm among candidates and attracted the attention of businesses who were seeking new technologies, solutions and partners.

Shanxi has hosted seven sessions of the innovation and entrepreneurship contest. A great number of proposals put forward by the candidates have been put into production, according to the event's organizers.

Zhang Yi and Li Shu contributed to this story.