What Shanghai Creative Superconductor does

Shanghai Creative Superconductor (Shanghai Shangchuang Superconductor Technology Co., Ltd.) is a Shanghai-based mixed-ownership enterprise founded in August 2011 under the direct guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Its founding shareholders include Shanghai University, Shanghai Baicun Industrial Co., Ltd., Shanghai Science & Technology Venture Capital (Group) Co., Ltd., and management and technical team individual shareholders. The company specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sale of second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) YBCO tape materials, serving state-owned power utilities, nuclear energy facilities, industrial equipment manufacturers, and scientific research institutions primarily in China. As of mid-2026 it employed 50+ professional R&D personnel with an average of 15+ years of superconducting materials experience and held over 100 technical patents.

The company's core technology is a proprietary low-cost chemical deposition method (MOCVD-based) for fabricating YBCO superconducting tape on a five-layer composite architecture: Hastelloy alloy substrate, multi-layer oxide buffer film, YBCO superconducting layer, copper reinforcement encapsulation, and polyimide insulation. Self-developed kilometer-scale continuous production equipment enables single-piece lengths of 1000m without joints, with critical current of 500-600A (77K, self-field), critical current density ≥3.5 MA/cm² (achieved in 2024), and mechanical strength ≥750MPa. Standard widths are 4mm, 6mm, and 12mm, with custom widths ≥12mm available. Annual production capacity reached 500+ km/year by 2020, with yield rates above 95% by 2023.

Commercially, the company operates a direct enterprise sales model targeting national-level infrastructure projects. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of tape (priced per unit length with project-based negotiation) and bundled professional services including application consulting, custom specifications, and on-site engineering support. The company's flagship commercial validation is the supply of core HTS tape for the world's first 35kV kilometer-scale superconducting cable demonstration project (1.2km, 2200A, 133MVA) commissioned by State Grid Corporation of China in December 2021. Customers also include nuclear power plants and industrial magnet/fusion equipment developers. Marketing is conducted through international superconducting exhibitions, industry development seminars, direct technical sales engagement with state-owned enterprise procurement, and academic publication channels. A new strategic funding round was completed in June 2026 to expand production lines and R&D investment.

Name

Shanghai Creative Superconductor

Legal name

上海上创超导科技有限公司

Website

https://shscsc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Shanghai Creative Superconductor manufactures second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) YBCO tape materials for Chinese state-owned power utilities, nuclear energy facilities, and industrial manufacturers. Founded in 2011 under Shanghai Municipal Government guidance, it supplies superconducting tape for grid cables, fusion magnets, and industrial equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Superconducting Materials

NAICS

Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419), Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing (335929)

SIC

Electronic Connectors (3678), Printed Circuit Boards (3672)

akta.pro primary industry

Cryogenic Wiring, Interconnects & RF Cabling (HDAGABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coaxial, RF & Specialty Signal Cable (IMADAMAE)

Keywords

• High-temperature superconducting tape
• YBCO superconducting materials
• Superconducting cable materials
• Nuclear fusion magnet materials
• Power transmission superconductors

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Second-generation HTS tape materials sales: The company manufactures and sells second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape materials as its primary revenue stream. Products are sold in standard widths (4mm, 6mm, 12mm) and custom widths, priced per unit length. Revenue is project-driven and project-based, tied to national infrastructure projects (power grids, nuclear facilities) and industrial customer orders.
2. Customized technical solutions and support: Full-range technical support and customized solutions provided to customers across controlled nuclear fusion, superconducting power transmission, and high-field magnet applications. Professional services likely include application consulting, technical integration support, and on-site engineering services bundled with material supply.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shanghai Creative Superconductor manufactures and sells second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) YBCO tape materials using a proprietary low-cost chemical deposition method. Its products feature a five-layer composite structure with continuous 1000m joint-free lengths, critical current density ≥3.5 MA/cm², and customizable widths (4mm, 6mm, 12mm standard; ≥12mm custom). The company also provides customized technical solutions and engineering support for downstream applications in power transmission (superconducting cables, fault current limiters, transformers), nuclear energy (fusion devices, MRI), and industrial sectors (motors, maglev, induction heating).

Product overview

Shanghai Creative Superconductor (上创超导) is a specialized manufacturer of second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) tape materials. The company's product portfolio centers on its flagship 第二代高温超导带材 (2G-HTS Tape), a five-layer composite structure comprising Hastelloy substrate, buffer layer, YBCO superconducting layer, copper reinforcement encapsulation, and polyimide insulation. The product line includes a standard version (critical current 500-600A, continuous 1000m lengths, ≥12mm width) and a 高性能版 (High-Performance variant) optimized for demanding applications (critical current density ≥3.5 MA/cm², mechanical strength ≥750MPa). The tapes are applied across power transmission (superconducting cables, fault current limiters, transformers), nuclear energy (fusion devices, MRI equipment), and industrial sectors (motors, maglev, induction heating).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Second-Generation High-Temperature Superconducting Tape (第二代高温超导带材) Standard five-layer composite high-temperature superconducting tape comprising Hastelloy substrate, multi-layer oxide buffer film, YBCO superconducting layer, copper reinforcement encapsulation, and polyimide insulation. Available in standard widths of 4mm, 6mm, and 12mm. Features continuous 1000m single-piece joint-free lengths and critical current of 500-600A at 77K self-field. Designed for power transmission (superconducting cables, fault current limiters, transformers), nuclear energy applications, and industrial uses.
• High-Performance Superconducting Tape (高性能版高温超导带材) Enhanced performance variant of the standard 2G-HTS tape, optimized for demanding high-end applications. Features critical current density ≥3.5 MA/cm² and mechanical strength ≥750MPa. Operates at liquid nitrogen temperature (77K). Designed for power transmission, nuclear energy, and advanced industrial applications where higher performance specifications are required.
• Customized Technical Solutions and Engineering Support Full-range technical support and customized solutions provided to customers across controlled nuclear fusion, superconducting power transmission, and high-field magnet applications. Services include application consulting, technical integration support, on-site engineering services, and custom specifications (e.g., custom tape widths ≥12mm) bundled with material supply for project-based engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Power transmission loss reduced to near-zero through zero-resistance superconducting cable technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Shanghai University (上海大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011Shanghai University is a founding co-shareholder and the primary academic technology partner of Shanghai Shangchuang Superconductor. The company leverages Shanghai University's research capabilities, including the Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-Temperature Superconductors, for technology development and talent cultivation. The company was co-founded under Shanghai Municipal Government's guidance with Shanghai University as the core academic partner.
• Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院物理研究所)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research cooperation partner in the company's R&D collaboration network. The Institute of Physics CAS is China's premier physics research institution, potentially collaborating on fundamental superconductivity research and material characterization.
• Tsinghua University School of Materials Science and Engineering (清华大学材料学院)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research cooperation partner. Tsinghua University's materials science department is internationally recognized and likely collaborates on advanced materials research and characterization techniques for HTS tape development.
• State Grid Electric Power Research Institute (国家电网电力科学研究院)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research cooperation partner. As the research arm of State Grid Corporation of China (the company's key customer for superconducting cable projects), this partnership facilitates joint development of superconducting power transmission technology and application validation.
• Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中科院等离子体物理研究所)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research cooperation partner. This institute is a key player in China's controlled nuclear fusion (tokamak) programs and likely collaborates on applying HTS tape materials for superconducting fusion magnet systems.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research cooperation partner. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is one of China's top engineering universities, potentially collaborating on superconducting materials applications in power systems and industrial equipment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SuNam Co., Ltd. Korean manufacturer of 2G-HTS YBCO tape using RABiTS-MOD and PLD routes, supplying cable, motor, and fusion applications. Direct competitor in Asian markets with comparable product specifications (critical current, length) and similar target customers in power transmission and scientific research.
• THEVA Dünnschichttechnik GmbH: German manufacturer of 2G-HTS coated conductors using ISD (inclined substrate deposition) and advanced buffer-layer technology for power cable, fault current limiter, and magnet applications. Direct European peer with comparable specialty positioning and target customer segments to Shanghai Creative.
• Shanghai Superconductor Technology Co., Ltd. (上海超导): Another Shanghai-based 2G-HTS tape manufacturer with overlapping government ties and target customer base (power transmission, fusion). Direct domestic peer competing for the same State Grid and nuclear fusion contracts in the Chinese HTS tape market.
• Fujikura Ltd. Japanese global leader in 2G-HTS YBCO tape manufacturing using PLD/RABiTS-MOD routes, supplying major fusion projects (including Commonwealth Fusion Systems SPARC) and multiple US/EU demonstration cables. Directly competes with Shanghai Creative on technical specifications and is the dominant non-Chinese incumbent in commercial 2G-HTS tape supply.
• SuperPower (Furukawa Electric): US-based subsidiary of Furukawa Electric, one of the pioneering 2G-HTS tape manufacturers using MOCVD and IBAD processes, supplying long-length tape for grid (e.g., Project Hydra), fusion, and magnet applications. Direct competitor with a longer commercial track record and broader international customer base than Shanghai Creative.
• Bruker Energy & Superconducting Technologies: Bruker EST manufactures HTS tape (REBCO/YSZ-based) and integrated superconducting magnet systems for NMR, fusion, and accelerator applications globally. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated 2G-HTS tape producer and system provider with deeper customer relationships in scientific instrumentation than Shanghai Creative.
• Western Superconducting Materials Technologies (西部超导): China's largest publicly listed superconducting materials company (STAR Market: 688122), producing both low-temperature NbTi/Nb3Sn and high-temperature superconducting wires/tapes for medical, energy, and scientific applications. The most direct domestic competitor to Shanghai Creative, with significantly greater scale and broader product portfolio, and paradoxically listed as a 'partner' of Shanghai Creative.

Others

• Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS): US-based commercial fusion energy company (MIT spinout) and a leading global HTS tape customer via its SPARC tokamak program. A critical downstream demand driver for the entire HTS tape industry — including Shanghai Creative — and an indicator of fusion-related addressable demand.
• Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP): China's premier controlled nuclear fusion research institute (operating EAST tokamak and contributing to ITER), listed as a research partner of Shanghai Creative. Functions as a key downstream demand channel for HTS tape in China's fusion program and a strategic ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• State Grid Corporation of China (国家电网): China's largest state-owned electric utility and the operator of the world's first km-scale HTS cable demonstration. Functions as Shanghai Creative's flagship customer and an ecosystem gatekeeper for follow-on grid deployments; not a competitor but a primary value-chain participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Creative Superconductor