China failed again to produce a soccer team that could qualify for the World Cup, but a Chinese firm made the list of official sponsors for the first time in history.

YingLi Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) is one of the eight 2010 World Cup sponsors. The company in Baoding, Hebei province, makes photovoltaic modules under the Yingli Solar brand. It presented what it calls the first carbon-neutral commercial display in FIFA history at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Yingli also provided solar flashlights as giveaways to journalists, for example, at the event. Yingli spent more than a reported $80 million on the sponsorship.

A few more examples of made-in-China products at the World Cup, with at least some plastic content:

1. The official match ball, Adidas Jabulani, is molded from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). The balls are made in China by Taiwan-invested Jiujiang Si Mai Bo Sports Equipment Co. Ltd., using latex bladders made in India, thermoplastic polyurethane-elastomer from Taiwan, ethylene vinyl acetate, isotropic polyester/cotton fabric, glue and ink from China. The company has produced more than 12 million of the Jabulani - which means "bringing joy to everyone" in isiZulu.


2. China Dafeng Industry of Yuyao, Zhejiang, molded more than 40,000 plastic seats for the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.


3. Reports say more than 90 percent of the plastic vuvuzelas used at the game are made in China. Chinese manufacturers said the profit averages only 0.20 yuan ($0.03) per piece.


4. Fu Ismail Semiconductor Precision Industry Co. Ltd. in Jiangsu province made for the South African government 50 large outdoor TV screens that measure 20 square meters (215 square feet) each. Fu Ismail is owned by Taiwan's Hon Hai Group. The screens are leased for a total of $1.1 million.