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CHONGQING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A 3D printing factory for medical products has started construction in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the first of its kind in the country.

The project started after the Fengdu county government of the municipality and the Hkable Biological 3D (China) Co., Ltd., a joint venture between U.S.-based Hkable and local biotechnology company Jintai, signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday.

The factory, with an estimated cost of 50 million yuan (7.5 million U.S. dollars), will include centers for 3D printing, research and development, data processing and logistics.

It will produce human part molds to help with surgery for orthopedics, burns and dentistry, as well as artificial parts, such as limbs, said Yang Chen, manager with the joint venture.

Construction of the project will last about half a year, and operations are expected to launch in early 2017, he said.