Chen Jianhua is a Chinese entrepreneur, the Chairman of Hengli Group, one of the world's largest diversified conglomerates with dominant interests in oil refining, petrochemicals, and textiles. His entrepreneurial journey began in the industrial heartland of Suzhou, China. He co-founded the company in 1994 with his wife, Fan Hongwei.

The company started modestly as a weaving factory in Suzhou. Chen Jianhua's background is one of hands-on industrial and textile management, recognizing the structural demand for raw materials and refined products in China's manufacturing boom. This early experience in textiles provided the foundation for his massive, strategic pivot into the high-capital, vertically integrated petrochemical sector.

Chen Jianhua's career is a masterclass in aggressive, vertical integration. After starting in textiles, he led Hengli Group's audacious pivot into petrochemicals and oil refining. The company built the world's largest terephthalic acid factory (a key component for polyester and textiles) and vertically integrated backward into oil refining and primary petrochemicals production.

This massive, multi-billion dollar bet on controlling the entire supply chain—from crude oil to finished fabric—secured Hengli's dominance. The company achieved global scale, becoming one of the world's largest companies and ranking in the Fortune Global 500. Chen Jianhua, as Chairman, ensures the company maintains its focus on energy efficiency in both its products and processes. This commitment to massive, vertically integrated production cemented his multi-billion dollar fortune and his legacy as a titan of Chinese heavy industry.

Chen Jianhua's social impact is massive and structural, stemming from Hengli Group's role as a major employer (over 173,000 employees globally) and foundational supplier to the global textile and manufacturing industries. The company's focus on energy efficiency provides a structural contribution to industrial sustainability.

His personal philanthropy is often directed toward educational institutions; in 2021, Hengli Group donated RMB 88 million to Tsinghua University to support its School of Economics and Management, reflecting a commitment to cultivating future leaders.

Chen Jianhua maintains the traditional, professional style of a Chinese industrial patriarch. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic is one of serious authority and stability, befitting a multi-billion dollar executive commanding a massive petrochemical empire.

Residing in Suzhou, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his dominance in the global petrochemical supply chain. His life is defined by his commitment to industrial scale, vertical integration, and efficiency, overseeing an empire that supplies essential products worldwide.