From March 26 to 28, the 11th Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration Conference of the Microalgae Branch of China Algae Industry Association & Tongwei 5th Microalgae Forum were grandly held in Chengdu, Sichuan. The conference was jointly hosted by the China Algae Industry Association, Sichuan University, TWAD, and Chengdu Agricultural College. This year's conference, themed "High-Efficiency Bio-Manufacturing and High-Value Utilization of Microalgae", focused on efficient production, germplasm resources, and high-value utilization, promoting technological innovation and the transformation and upgrading of the microalgae industry. More than 400 experts, scholars, and industry elites from universities, research institutions, and enterprises across the country attended the conference to discuss the current status and future of the microalgae industry.

The conference site

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Sharing Cutting-Edge Technologies

Charting a Clear Development Blueprint

The industrialization of microalgae is not only a breakthrough for the upgrade of traditional agriculture to modern bio-manufacturing but also an innovative engine to address the common challenges of climate crisis and resource depletion.

Zhao Jintong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of Peking University, and Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote report titled Structural Basis and Rate-Limiting Steps of Photosynthetic Autotrophy in Cyanobacteria. Liu Yongding, Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented a keynote report titled Microalgae Epoch: The Future is Here, Moving Forward Steadily with Passion. Zhou Weibiao, Academician of the Singapore National Academy of Science, Academician of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology, and Professor at the National University of Singapore, delivered a keynote report titled The Role of Microalgae in Ensuring Singapore's Food Security and Sustainable Development, sharing cutting-edge research results.

Zhao Jintong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of Peking University

and Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote report

Liu Yongding, Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics

and Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented a keynote report

Zhou Weibiao, Academician of the Singapore National Academy of Science, Academician of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology

and Professor at the National University of Singapore, delivered a keynote report

During the conference, distinguished scholars presented insightful reports, including Professor Lin Yan from Sichuan Agricultural University, Professor Cheng Jun from Zhejiang University and Chongqing University, Researcher Liu Jianguo from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Liao Qiang from Chongqing University, Researcher Zhou Min from Zhejiang University, Senior Researcher Gao Fengzheng from ETH Zurich, Professor Wei Dong from South China University of Technology, Researcher Liu Tianzhong from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Hu Qiang, Chair Professor at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology and Visiting Researcher at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With their presentations, they collectively explored innovative pathways for the efficient bio-manufacturing and high-value utilization of microalgae.

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High-Value Utilization of Microalgae

Pioneering New Frontiers in Energy Transition and Food Security

Liu Hanyuan, Deputy to the NPC, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry 

and Commerce, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tongwei Group

delivered a speech

Liu Hanyuan, Deputy to the NPC, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tongwei Group, noted that China's PV industry has experienced remarkable advancements over the past decade. China's polysilicon production has surged from a negligible global share to over 95% of the world's capacity. This expansion has been accompanied by significant cost reductions and enhanced energy efficiency, and its purity has improved by five or six orders of magnitude compared to that over a decade ago, reaching a purity level of 11N and approaching 12N. The cost of PV power generation has plummeted by over 90%. The cost has been reduced to RMB 0.1-0.2 per kilowatt-hour, making PV one of the most economically viable energy sources worldwide. Furthermore, China has transitioned from importing key PV cell manufacturing equipment to domestically producing the world's most advanced, high-capacity, and efficient equipment, achieving near-total self-sufficiency in production technology. This transformative progress in the PV industry over the past decade serves as a compelling precedent. The central challenge before the industry is to ascertain whether the industrial application and automated management of microalgae can experience rapid advancement over the next decade, thereby fundamentally transforming human food production and consumption practices. Indeed, if research institutions, universities, corporations, and investment entities intensify their efforts, enhance strain selection, and optimize facility and equipment infrastructure, the microalgae industry can accelerate its progress significantly. This endeavor warrants our collective dedication and persistent commitment.

Qin Song, Vice President of the China Algae Industry Association, President of the

Microalgae Branch, and Director of the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

made a concluding speech

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Qin Song, Vice President of the China Algae Industry Association, President of the Microalgae Branch, and Director of the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that at the recent conference, esteemed academics and industry representatives convened to examine the past, present, and future of microalgae. This gathering underscored the dual nature of the microalgae industry: "great love" and "small technology". The "great love" signifies microalgae's selfless contribution of oxygen and sustenance to the planet. "Small technology" highlights the current need for groundbreaking advancements in China's microalgae technology sector. In this era of integrated scientific and industrial innovation, he encouraged the utilization of various reform measures, guided by the spirit of "great love" and focusing on "small technology". This approach will foster the "great love, small technology" ethos of the new era, promoting effective organization and persistent effort to achieve further breakthroughs and significant development in China's microalgae industry.

The site of "Tongwei Microalgae" Graduate Forum

A key component of the conference was the "Tongwei Microalgae" Graduate Forum. Graduate students from Zhejiang University, Sichuan University, Beijing Forestry University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Chongqing University, and other institutions presented their latest research on microalgae, thereby encouraging emerging researchers to pursue further innovation and contribute to the development of microalgae science.

The conference also featured specialized sessions on "Efficient Microalgae Production Solutions", "Corporate Forum", "Germplasm Resource Innovation and Synthetic Biology", "Cross-Disciplinary Microalgae Innovation Applications", and "Multi-Dimensional High-Value Utilization of Microalgae". These sessions facilitated the exchange of ideas and experiences, promoting the integration of academia, research, and industry, and accelerating the translation of research findings into practical applications. This collaborative approach aims to create a clearer roadmap for the future development of the microalgae industry.

Specialized Session: Efficient Microalgae Production Solutions

Specialized Session: Germplasm Resource Innovation and Synthetic Biology

Specialized Session: Corporate Forum

Specialized Session: Cross-Disciplinary Microalgae Innovation Applications

Specialized Session: Multi-Dimensional High-Value Utilization of Microalgae

During the conference, the attending leaders and guests also visited the Tongwei Group Experience Center. They gained a detailed understanding of Tongwei's development history and achievements in green agriculture and green energy. Furthermore, they explored the strategies behind the company's success as the first global Fortune 500 enterprise in both the aquaculture and PV industries.

Leaders and guests visited Tongwei Group Experience Center

Group photo