Badminton fans in Indonesia may have "forged" a bond with a city in eastern China through the shuttlecocks used in their matches.
Lu'an City in Anhui Province, China, has long been a major badminton shuttlecock production center in China and even the world, thanks to the local goose species, the Wanxi white goose, which boasts fine yet strong feathers. The city has also established a complete badminton value chain.
Thanks to its high-quality feathers, the Wanxi white goose is listed as a regional specialty species worthy of protection in the National Conservation List of Livestock and Poultry Heritage Resources of China, and is an important source for producing quality shuttlecocks.
Lu'an Xinglong Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. is a supplier of the renowned badminton shuttlecock brand RSL. "Wanxi white goose feathers are a top-tier material for badminton shuttlecocks, as they are quite tough and can last for a long time," explained Li Xingxing, general manager of Xinglong.
According to Jiang Weijun, person in charge of Anhui Zhanyu Ecological Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., one of the leading enterprises in goose breeding in Lu'an, each Wanxi white goose has a growth period of more than 200 days and the down layer on each bird is thicker.
According to historical records, the people of Lu'an domesticated and developed the Wanxi white goose breed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). This species thrived thanks to the favorable local climate and a number of local agricultural products that were ideal for goose feed.
An inland city in China has become the world's center for badminton shuttlecock production.
"We have already developed mass production in Lu'an with an annual output of about 14 million birds. However, the feathers and down from these geese are still insufficient to meet demand," Jiang said.
A source of high-quality goose down is a prerequisite for further industrial development. In Xin'an, Yu'an District, a small city of about 74 square kilometers, factories of major brands such as RSL, Yonex, and Kawasaki are operating at full capacity.
Lu'An Yuxiang Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. is one of the production bases for Yonex with an annual output of about 800 thousand shuttlecocks with a value exceeding 100 million yuan (1 yuan = Rp2,352).
An inland city in China has become the world's center for badminton shuttlecock production.
High technology also boosted the company. With a feather sorting machine, workers simply placed the feathers in a filter on the machine.
