( Financial Times ) -- While most consumer goods companies are seeking opportunities in China , domestic condom maker Safedom is going in the opposite direction -- seeking European partners or acquisitions as part of a bid to go global . The company , majority-owned by its founder , has grown rapidly in its short life . It will sell 200m condoms this year , all within China , and is targeting sales of 1bn next year ; the same number that Durex , the world 's biggest player , was producing in the country within three years . Brian Fu , chief executive , was in the UK last week `` meeting potential partners and acquisitions '' . Funding for any deal will either come from existing shareholders , bank loans or possibly through an overseas stock market listing , he said . Despite the size of the market on its own doorstep -- and added attraction of a government-mandated one-child policy -- Safedom sees its future on the international stage . It reckons its virus-proof latex condoms will enable it to compete alongside the global players such as Durex , now part of Reckitt Benckiser , and Ansell of Australia . However , Mr Fu said that the strength of his company -- whose range includes Beautiful Girl , Take Me and Green Lemon -- was in manufacturing and technology , and going global required bringing in branding and marketing expertise . Sales outlets and channels are also likely to vary from China , where half of all condoms are bought by women . `` We think we have good leading edge technology and a good management team . What we lack is the branding part : we are not well known , '' Mr Fu said . According to Global Industry Analysts , the data publishers , the global condom market is set to hit 27bn units , worth $ 6bn , by 2015 , driven by demand from emerging economies including China and Africa . Safedom plans to start selling in Bangladesh and countries in Africa shortly . But in China , as with other consumer goods ranging from cars to handbags , the stress is on bling . At the opulent Venetian casino in Macao , Safedom sells single condoms for HK $ 50 ( US $ 6 ) a throw and , according to Mr Fu , designer condoms ( presumably fake ) are available online at US $ 65 apiece . So far , roughly one-quarter of the group 's sales have been to the government , which distributes them free of charge , but that proportion is expected to shrink . `` In the old days free condoms were welcomed by the people , '' said Shuyu Xu , director of international sales . `` But now people can afford to pay and will go to the pharmacy to buy the best , most fancy ones . '' © The Financial Times Limited 2011 .
China condom maker Safedom is looking to go global , aiming at industry giant Durex . The company , majority-owned by its founder , has grown rapidly in its short life .