In January 2006, SGL Carbon Group of Wiesbaden, Germany and Sinyuan Industrial Materials Company of Ningbo, China announced their new Joint Venture, Ningbo-SSG Co., Ltd. Referred to as SSG, the new joint venture began full operations beginning in April 2006. SGL holds a 60% investment in the new company and Sinyuan holds the balance, 40%.

The intent of the joint venture is to leverage the existing technology and operations of Sinyuan with the Technology and Worldwide Market Leadership of SGL.