The new base focuses on applying the waterborne polyurethane material for the product innovation and production of Durex condoms.

Guilin HBM eyes markets abroad after its condoms help lower AIDS deaths in AfricaBy 2024-end, several new health protection products of Guilin HBM Health Protection Ltd will have likely won over overseas clients as the firm is keen to stand out in a fiercely competitive market.

It is known for its condoms and medical gloves among other health protection products.

Condom production is not considered a technology-intensive industry.

Since condoms can reduce the risk of exposure to AIDS-causing HIV, Guilin HBM began to focus on R&D in 2009 with the goal of making its products highly effective against HIV.

"Ordinary condoms only prevent 97.4 percent of HIV penetration.

After a decade-long endeavor, the company developed a type of three-layered condom, whose production started last year.

Overall in China, the annual output capacity is about 5 billion condoms, 20 percent of which are exported, according to data from the China Rubber Industry Association.

In 2017, the company assisted in constructing the Latex Industries SA, the African country's first modern plant for condom production.

With a population of 59 million, South Africa purchases about 1 billion male condoms and 40 million female condoms from the world each year, Thembinkosi said during a business trip to Guilin.

Condom production requires special equipment and technology, he said, adding that constrained by technology, South Africa had no modern condom factory before.

Customers now can satisfy their stomach in the middle of the night by ordering cooked seafood, snacks and beverages, as well as meet more intimate needs such as picking from among 700 sexual-wellness products including condoms and lubricants.

Other products include "candles that remind you of sad memories" and "Ramen Noodle Condoms".

Boxes of Ansell condoms are displayed for sale at a local pharmacy in Sydney, Australia, May 16, 2016.

[Photo/Agencies]A Chinese consortium is buying Ansell Ltd's condom division, the world'sxa0No 2 condom maker, for $600 million, betting on surging demand in China as sex becomes less of a taboo subject and more emphasis is placed on public health education.

According to a 2016 Transparency Market Research report, China's condom market is seen growing at 12 percent per year in the 2016 to 2024 period, despite the scrapping of the One Child policy - rising from a $1.8 billion market in 2015 to over $5 billion by 2024.

Ansell said it sees condom sales growth there moderating in the future.

The report also pointed out that condoms have become hot sellers during the epidemic, with sales increasing by 423 percent compared to the previous month.