Highlighters

	The 69622 marker model from Ningbo Jiangdong Jodee comes with a retractable cutter. It meets EN 71 and ASTM standards.

To boost competitiveness, makers are increasing output of direct-liquid, refillable and multifunction designs.

China suppliers of highlighters and markers are emphasizing improved performance in their latest releases. Under this endeavor, more makers are adopting a direct- liquid structure that boasts larger ink capacity, higher utilization rate and better fluidity than traditional fiber core types. The design raises product prices by 10 to 30 percent.

Many direct-liquid items also feature a valve that prevents ink from drying from prolonged exposure to air.

This component pushes up quotes further by about 20 percent. Versions from Suzhou Century Star Science & Technique Co. Ltd have a steel ball in the chamber to prevent ink from settling.

Refillable highlighters and markers are becoming popular as well because they have a longer service life.

Priced 10 percent higher than nonrefillable models, direct- ink and fiber core types are available.

Increased functionality is another trend. At most factories, designs with multiple tips are being produced in greater numbers. Double-end versions are the mainstream in this particular category. They usually have a highlighter or marker on one tip while the other can feature an eraser, ballpoint pen, staple remover, cutter, knife or bottle opener.

Some suppliers are also coming out with special- use models. Ningbo Beifa Group Co. Ltd has released a blackboard marker, which unlike chalk, does not produce dust. Quotes are higher by more than 50 percent.

Suzhou Century Star has a version suitable for nontraditional whiteboards with a textured surface. Going for $0.60 to $0.70 each, the marker adopts a direct-liquid structure and is refillable.

In addition, the company offers models, which make imprints that fade automatically within two days and are also washable. These markers use nontoxic ink derived from plant extract and was developed in cooperation with Shanxi University.

To enhance visual appeal, the housings of new highlighters and markers come in unconventional shapes. Popular designs for single- and double-tip models include syringe, thermometer, USB flash drive, shuttle, spoon, comet and lipstick. Yuyao Bosi Stationery Gift Co. Ltd has a model in a Taiji two-piece puzzle theme. Some companies have released products shaped like a cartoon character.

Versions with more than two ends typically come in triangle, cone, cross, heart, flower, starfish and pentacle contours.

	Ningbo Wantai offers this highlighter, which features a wheel-shaped ABS housing.

China’s selection of highlighters and markers includes whiteboard, fluorescent, color ink, microtip and industrial models with capped, twist-type or retractable constructions. Models feature bullet or chisel tips, with the latter measuring 4, 8 or even 12mm in width.

Most designs meet EN 71-3 and ASTM D4236 requirements. To ensure quality further, some suppliers, including Ningbo Wenkui Pen-Made Co. Ltd, preregistered for REACH compliance via an EU representative.

Plastic dominates barrel material options. Aluminum, however, is also employed, raising product prices by about 50 percent.

For plastic models, MBS, ABS and PP are popular and used interchangeably depending on the type of logo printing or application required. More expensive designs may adopt polylactic acid, which is a type of biodegradable polyester commonly made from corn. Ningbo Beifa has started using cassava- and straw-based variants.

Virgin PP, ABS and recycled plastic barrels, and locally made ink, refills and tips are standard among low-end highlighters and markers. Quotes range from $0.03 to $0.12.

Midrange designs, going for $0.13 to $1, have imported and domestically sourced ink. They come with refills also purchased overseas. The most expensive models in this category may have nylon or felt tips from Japan.

High-end products reach $4. They have a large ink capacity and use EN 71-approved environment-friendly imported color pigment. Tips, made of nylon or felt, also come from overseas, usually Japan, South Korea or the EU. Newly processed plastic is used for the barrels and some designs feature geometric housings and novelty tips.

Models going for $0.09 to $0.20 each are usually promotional items. They come in unique designs, small sizes and bright colors.

Customs statistics show that by the end of 2008, both volume and value of China’s overseas shipments of highlighters and markers increased 2 and 9 percent YoY, respectively. The former went up to 4.8 billion pieces, while revenue jumped to $315.3 million.

Exports are mostly under OEM and ODM agreements, although some makers have OBM capability. Half of shipments from Ningbo Beifa carry the company’s in-house brand.

There are approximately 2,000 suppliers of highlighters and markers in mainland China, about one-third less than last year. The industry is split evenly between manufacturers and trading companies. More than 80 percent are locally owned, while others have Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea investors. Most offer other writing instruments such as ballpoint and gel pens because these products are made using similar machines.

Large enterprises have up to 2,000 employees or more. Midsize makers, or those with as many as 500 workers, account for half of the manufacturing pool. About 40 percent are small companies with a workforce below 150.

Regardless of size, most suppliers are ISO 9001-certified. Big factories such as Ningbo Wenkui, Ningbo

Beifa and Guangdong Genvana Stationery Co. Ltd also comply with ISO 14001 requirements. These makers usually do molding, aluminum forming, and plastic and ink injection in-house.

Small companies rely more on subcontracting, at most having equipment only for barrel printing and final assembly. Midsize enterprises conduct at least one key procedure in-house and farm out the rest.

Large suppliers also have stronger R&D capability.Ningbo Beifa has a 100-member design group and invests 5 percent of annual sales in related activities. The company owns more than 800 patents for its writing instruments.

An estimated 1,000 suppliers, mostly writing instrument specialists, are located in Ningbo. Known as the primary

hub for stationery and school and office supplies, this city in Zhejiang province offers models across all price points.

Makers in the area benefit from the abundant supply of plastic since one of the mainland’s largest processing facilities for the material is located there. Ink is also available locally, although versions from Shanghai or Taiwan can be used.

In addition, Ningbo boasts a well-developed logistics system. Its Beilun harbor hosts major vessel lines that connect to other international ports.

Opened to the public in May 2008, Hangzhou Bay Bridge also links the city to Shanghai, allowing efficient transportation of goods. The cable-stayed bridge is considered the longest transoceanic viaduct in the world.