Group 1 - The conference aims to promote international cooperation in the advanced materials sector under the "Belt and Road" initiative, scheduled for October 20-23, 2025, in Ningbo, China [3][4] - The event will gather over 500 materials science experts from more than 30 countries, focusing on cutting-edge breakthroughs and industrial transformation in new materials [4][5] - Eight major themes will be discussed, including two-dimensional materials, green composite materials, bio-based materials, and energy materials, emphasizing sustainable development [4][5] Group 2 - The conference will feature a main forum and eight thematic forums, addressing key issues in advanced materials and fostering cross-border collaboration [10][12] - Notable speakers include academicians and experts from various countries, enhancing the event's global perspective [11][12] - The event will facilitate the incubation of international joint R&D projects and the establishment of collaborative laboratories and technology transfer centers [5][10] Group 3 - The conference will focus on the efficient transformation of research outcomes into practical applications, aiming to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem involving academia, industry, and government [5][10] - Specific forums will address topics such as green agriculture, polymer recycling, and energy materials, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration [20][21][22] - The event will also include a research成果展示区 to showcase cutting-edge research and foster partnerships [29][30]

Core Viewpoint - The new materials industry is a strategic and foundational sector that supports modern industrial development and is crucial for optimizing and upgrading industrial structures, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and fostering emerging industries. Summary by Sections New Materials Overview - New materials refer to materials with superior performance and special functions that are either newly developed or significantly improved from traditional materials, serving as the foundation for high-tech development and modern industrial advancement [4]. - New materials can be classified based on composition, function, and application, with definitions focusing on technological, process, and application innovations [4]. Importance of New Materials - New materials are essential for national economic construction, social progress, and national defense security, acting as a guarantee for the success of major engineering projects [5]. - The new materials industry is characterized by its foundational, pioneering, and forward-looking nature, driving technological revolutions in various fields such as microelectronics, biotechnology, energy technology, and aerospace [5]. Characteristics of the New Materials Industry - The new materials industry exhibits "three highs and three longs": high difficulty, high investment, high barriers, long life cycles, long application periods, and long R&D cycles [6][7]. - Most new materials companies struggle to achieve profitability within three years due to high upfront costs and uncertain market prospects [6][9]. Global Competition Landscape - Countries are placing high importance on new materials, with developed nations striving to seize technological leadership, while the focus of the industry is gradually shifting towards the Asia-Pacific region [10]. - China lags in the development and production of advanced high-end materials, with only 13 materials being internationally leading and 39 being advanced, highlighting a significant gap compared to countries like the USA [10]. Current Status of China's New Materials Industry - The new materials industry in China has seen substantial growth, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20%, and the total output value surpassing 6 trillion yuan by 2021 [13]. - The market size of the new materials industry is projected to reach 7.6 trillion yuan in 2023 and exceed 8 trillion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5% from 2020 to 2025 [14]. Key Areas of Development - The industry encompasses a wide range of materials, with a focus on strategic advanced electronic materials, advanced structures and composites, and nanomaterials, among others [15]. - Key new materials include advanced steel, new display materials, high-quality high-temperature alloys, and green energy materials, reflecting the diverse applications and technological advancements in the sector [16]. Regional Distribution - China's new materials industry is developing in clusters, with the Bohai Rim, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta being the primary regions for industry concentration [17]. - These regions benefit from dense enterprise distribution, numerous research institutions, and advantages in funding and market access [17]. Investment Trends - The new materials industry is experiencing rapid growth in investment, with significant capital inflow and an increasing number of investment projects [36][37]. - In 2024, the new materials sector recorded 397 investment events, reflecting a 33.2% year-on-year increase, with total investment amounting to 44 billion yuan [37]. Future Development Trends - The industry is expected to accelerate its transformation and upgrade, focusing on high-end materials for emerging sectors such as high-end equipment, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy [28]. - The trend towards domestic substitution is becoming more urgent, driven by international trade dynamics and the need for national strategic security [29].

Core Viewpoint - The new materials industry is a strategic and foundational sector that supports modern industrial development and is crucial for optimizing and upgrading industrial structures, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and fostering emerging industries [5][6][13]. Group 1: Overview of New Materials - New materials refer to materials with superior performance and special functions that are either newly developed or significantly improved from traditional materials [4]. - New materials can be classified based on composition, function, and application, with three main directions: technological innovation, process improvement, and new applications [4][5]. Group 2: Characteristics of the New Materials Industry - The new materials industry is characterized by "three highs and three longs": high difficulty, high investment, high barriers, long life cycle, long application period, and long R&D cycle [6][9]. - Most new materials companies struggle to achieve profitability within three years due to high upfront costs and uncertain market prospects [6][9]. - The industry emphasizes core technology development rather than individual flagship products, making it foundational across various sectors [7][9]. Group 3: Global Competitive Landscape - Countries are placing significant emphasis on new materials, with developed nations striving to secure technological advantages, leading to a shift in the industry focus towards the Asia-Pacific region [10][11]. - China lags in advanced high-end materials, with only 13 materials being internationally leading and 39 being advanced, while 101 materials are significantly behind, particularly in comparison to the U.S. [10][11]. Group 4: Current Status of China's New Materials Industry - The new materials industry in China has grown rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20%, and the total output value surpassing 6 trillion yuan by 2021 [13][14]. - The market size is projected to reach 7.6 trillion yuan in 2023 and exceed 8 trillion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5% from 2020 to 2025 [14][19]. Group 5: Key Areas of Development - The industry encompasses various categories, including advanced electronic materials, composite materials, and nanomaterials, with 42 key development directions identified [9][15]. - Key materials for future development include advanced steel, new display materials, high-performance alloys, and green energy materials [16]. Group 6: Investment Trends and Opportunities - Investment in the new materials sector is increasing, with significant capital flowing into areas such as clean technology, semiconductors, and biotechnology [36][37]. - The industry is witnessing a trend towards consolidation, with companies leveraging capital markets for mergers and acquisitions to enhance market share [30][31]. Group 7: Challenges Facing the Industry - The new materials industry faces challenges such as long project cycles, high capital requirements, and a fragmented market with many small players [22][23]. - There is a significant gap in high-end materials, with foreign companies dominating the market and setting high standards that complicate domestic companies' entry [22][23]. Group 8: Future Development Trends - The industry is expected to accelerate transformation and upgrade, focusing on high-end materials for emerging sectors like aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy [28][29]. - The push for domestic substitution of imported materials is becoming increasingly urgent due to geopolitical shifts and trade tensions [29].