The 2024 International Conference on Metallurgical Innovation and Development recently took place at the International Academic Exchange Center of Northeastern University in Shenyang, attracting over 300 experts and scholars from around the world and various domestic universities’ metallurgical departments.
With the central theme of “Green, Intelligent, High-end, Recyclable,” the conference focused on several key areas: low-carbon metallurgical practices, the digitalization and intelligence of metallurgy, the manufacturing of high-end metal materials, metallurgical resource recycling, and the applications of new energy in metallurgy. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions about notable advancements, cutting-edge issues, challenges, and critical common technologies within the metallurgical field.
The opening ceremony was held in a hybrid format, combining an in-person gathering with online streaming. Wang Qiang, the vice president of Northeastern University, highlighted the institution’s rich heritage and innovative spirit in metallurgy. He noted that the university has persistently aligned its research with major industrial needs, achieving significant theoretical breakthroughs and technological innovations while nurturing a wealth of high-caliber talent. Wang expressed hopes that the conference would facilitate further exchanges of innovative theories and research accomplishments, ultimately bolstering technological advancements and the development of new production capacities in the metallurgical industry.
Liu Weidong, a member of the Party Leadership Group and vice president of the Liaoning Provincial Association for Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of collaboration between high-level universities like Northeastern University and research institutions. He mentioned that leveraging these partnerships has driven technological breakthroughs and the transformation of scientific achievements, providing essential support for the growth of the metallurgical industry cluster. Liu committed to further utilizing the association’s strengths to create platforms that contribute more wisdom and resources to the innovative development within the metallurgical field.
Zhang Hongguo, chairman of the Chinese Nonferrous Metals Society, acknowledged Northeastern University’s role as a leading institution that has nurtured a significant number of highly skilled professionals essential for the industry’s technical progress. He expressed optimism that the ongoing collaboration between Northeastern University and the society would continue to enhance the technological upgrading and high-end development of China’s nonferrous metal industry chain. Zhang hopes that this conference will further integrate technological and industrial innovations in metallurgy.
The conference featured six thematic sessions, including green intelligent steel metallurgy, nonferrous metallurgy and new technologies, advanced metal materials and high-end manufacturing, resource recycling and high-value utilization, new energy and electrochemical metallurgy, and new processes and technologies in metallurgy and materials. Nearly 130 experts and scholars presented invited reports, with over 60 participating organizations from international institutions such as the University of New South Wales, Monash University, and the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.
