Zhang Yin, often dubbed the 'Queen of Trash,' is a Chinese billionaire who built her fortune by transforming waste paper into packaging materials.
She founded Nine Dragons Paper Holdings, which became one of Asia's largest paper manufacturers, specializing in recycled paper products.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with a small paper trading business, expanding into a vertically integrated recycling and manufacturing powerhouse.
Zhang Yin's wealth is primarily derived from her controlling stake in Nine Dragons Paper Holdings, a leading paper manufacturer in China. Additional investments include real estate and renewable energy projects.
Born in 1957 in Shaoguan, Guangdong, Zhang Yin was one of eight children. She started her career as an accountant before noticing the potential in waste paper recycling in the 1980s.
In the mid-1980s, Zhang Yin began a small paper trading business in Shenzhen, identifying China's need for raw materials for its growing paper industry.
She moved to Los Angeles in 1990 to found America Chung Nam, which became the largest exporter of waste paper from the U.S. to China. This established a crucial supply chain, leading her to co-found Nine Dragons Paper Holdings in China in 1995.
Nine Dragons Paper rapidly expanded, building large-scale mills and going public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006. Under her leadership, the company diversified and invested in eco-friendly production, including a new facility in Guangdong in 2024, solidifying its position as a global leader.
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited: A leading paper manufacturer in China, specializing in the production of linerboard, high-performance corrugated medium, and other packaging paper products from recycled fiber.
The company is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and operates numerous large-scale paper mills across China and Vietnam.
America Chung Nam: A major waste paper trading company based in the United States, which serves as a crucial raw material supplier for Nine Dragons Paper.
Significant holdings in real estate across China and potentially other regions.
Investments in renewable energy projects, aligning with her company's focus on environmental sustainability.
Other diversified private equity and venture capital holdings, though specific details are not publicly disclosed.
Zhang Yin maintains a relatively private lifestyle despite her immense wealth.
Her philanthropic efforts are primarily directed towards environmental sustainability and education, with notable donations to organizations like the China Youth Development Foundation.
She supports initiatives focused on rural education and ecological projects, reflecting her commitment to social impact beyond business.
As a prominent industrialist, Zhang Yin holds significant economic influence within China, particularly in the manufacturing and environmental sectors.
Her company's operations and investments contribute substantially to local economies and employment.
She is known to maintain relationships with key political figures, essential for navigating the complex business landscape in China, though specific political affiliations are not widely publicized.
Zhang Yin's legacy is defined by her pioneering role in establishing a large-scale circular economy model in China through waste paper recycling.
Her long-term vision includes expanding the company's global footprint and integrating advanced technologies to further enhance sustainable production.
She aims to leave a lasting impact on the sustainability industry, demonstrating how business success can align with environmental stewardship.