On April 1, 2026, the signing ceremony for enterprise-based specialist assignment and strategic cooperation between Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory and partner enterprises was held in Conference Room 207 of Xingtai Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. Present at the event were Zhang Fucheng, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice Chairman of Hebei Provincial Committee of the CPPCC; Song Xiangdang, Deputy Director of Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology; Cui Yaopeng, Vice Mayor of Xingtai Municipal People's Government; Zheng Gengxu, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Chairman of Xingtai Municipal Committee of the CPPCC; officials from Xingtai Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, enterprise-based specialists from Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory, as well as representatives from Xingtai Iron and Steel (Xinggang), Jinan Iron and Steel, Puyang Iron and Steel, Jingye Group, Linxi Bearing and other enterprises.

In his address, Zhang Yuming, Party Secretary and Chairman of Xingtai Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., extended a warm welcome to all attending leaders and guests. He noted that Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory, Hebei’s top-tier comprehensive strategic sci-tech innovation platform, shares highly aligned development goals with Xinggang. A specialized Chinese special steel manufacturer focusing on industrial wire rods, Xinggang prioritizes high-purity iron and green non-quenched & tempered cold-heading steel as its core strategic products going forward. Such positioning coincides with the Laboratory’s research priorities and echoes the eco-friendly core of the "Simplified Steel" philosophy that advocates streamlining redundant alloy components and restoring steel to its essential nature. He expressed the hope that the strategic partnership would facilitate joint research to tackle key technical bottlenecks, build an in-depth integrated innovation system linking industry, academia, research and end application, transfer laboratory research outcomes onto actual production lines, and deliver win-win results and tangible economic benefits through complementary strengths and collaborative innovation, thus contributing to the high-quality development of Hebei’s iron and steel sector.

Witnessed by Academician Zhang Fucheng, Deputy Director Song Xiangdang, Vice Mayor Cui Yaopeng, Vice Chairman Zheng Gengxu and Chairman Zhang Yuming, Xingtai Iron and Steel and Jinan Iron and Steel separately signed strategic cooperation agreements with Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory. The two sides reached in-depth cooperation consensus on developing flagship steel products, full-process technical services for the steel industry and talent training. The landmark deal marks a pivotal milestone for the two steelmakers in advancing industry-university-research integration and injects robust innovation momentum into the high-quality development of the whole iron and steel industry.

Deputy Director Song Xiangdang of the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology commented that the event is a major move to implement the Hebei Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government’s strategic deployment of fostering flagship products for local iron and steel enterprises, consolidate the core supporting role of science and technology in industrial upgrading, and serves as an innovative trial to deepen ties between Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory and steel manufacturers for the high-quality growth of Hebei’s iron and steel industry.

Subsequently, enterprise executives presented appointment certificates to the stationed enterprise specialists. Representatives from participating enterprises delivered remarks respectively, expressing gratitude for the technical backing from Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory. They pledged full coordination with the Laboratory’s work, provide optimal support and favorable working conditions for the stationed specialists, and work alongside the Laboratory’s experts to upgrade enterprise products and technologies. Heads of the specialist teams from the Laboratory also committed to rooting themselves in frontline production sites, leveraging their technical expertise to resolve practical technical challenges confronting enterprises.

In light of the current development landscape of the iron and steel industry, Academician Zhang Fucheng put forward expectations for follow-up work. He pointed out that Hebei’s iron and steel industry has registered remarkable progress in recent years, embodying the advancement of new productive forces. Enhanced university-enterprise cooperation, higher research commercialization rates and proprietary flagship products are essential for enterprises to sharpen core competitiveness. Stationed specialists should maintain a dedicated work attitude, cherish field learning opportunities, immerse themselves in on-site production and center their work on solving enterprises’ practical difficulties. Meanwhile, they must abide by strict safety rules and technical confidentiality protocols, capitalize on professional strengths to help businesses overcome technical hurdles and safeguard the reputation of Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory.

As Hebei’s highest-level comprehensive strategic sci-tech innovation platform, Yanzhao Iron and Steel Laboratory is China’s first provincial-level laboratory dedicated exclusively to iron and steel research. It pools top-tier expertise across metallurgy, material science and low-carbon technology fields, acting as a crucial carrier for steel technology breakthroughs, research commercialization and cultivation of new productive forces, as well as a vital scientific and technological pillar driving the transformation and upgrading of regional iron and steel industry.

The entire event was presided over by Zhang Xiaohui, Director of the Iron and Steel Division under Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology.