The National Center for Technology Innovation in Dairy (NCTID) convened its third annual conference on September 27–28, 2025, in Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss advancements in dairy technology and innovation, reinforcing the center’s role in China’s agricultural and economic development strategies.
Key Innovations and Research Highlights
During the conference, NCTID presented its Top Ten Achievements for 2025, which included developments in breeding high-quality dairy cattle, breast milk research, scaling production of essential ingredients, and refining dairy processing technologies. These efforts aim to enhance product quality and sustainability in the dairy sector, aligning with China’s broader goals for food security and industrial modernization.
He Jian, General Manager of NCTID, outlined the center’s progress over the past three years, noting the establishment of an open collaborative platform. He indicated that future efforts will prioritize research with a focus on business incubation and transforming the annual conference into a high-level scientific forum to foster industry-wide innovation.
International and Academic Collaborations
Experts from institutions such as China Agricultural University, Beijing Technology and Business University, Inner Mongolia University, and New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute shared research findings at the event. Dr. Stefan Clerens from the Bioeconomy Science Institute discussed advancements in food science, including the use of gut–brain axis cell models to develop brain-health foods and reduce R&D risks.
NCTID’s growing international presence was highlighted by the launch of a special publication, Focal Point on Dairy Research in China, in collaboration with Nature. This publication features joint achievements with member organizations like Yili Group, underscoring the center’s role in bridging research and industrial applications to drive innovation in China’s dairy industry.
Supporting Industry Expansion and Intellectual Property
In partnership with the Inner Mongolia Intellectual Property Protection Center, NCTID released a 2025 study on the intellectual property legal environment in Southeast Asia, offering strategic recommendations for dairy companies expanding overseas. This initiative supports Chinese firms in navigating international markets and protecting innovations, contributing to global trade and investment flows.
Led by Yili Group, NCTID continues to promote the application of high technologies in the dairy sector, supporting high-quality development in line with China’s economic policies. The center plans to adopt a more open approach to collaboration, engaging governments, enterprises, universities, and research institutes to deliver frequent innovations and inclusive public services for sustained industry growth.
