On December 3, 2025, Zheng Yanheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Changsha University of Science & Technology, led a team of experts to visit Hunan Xintan New Material Co., Ltd. to conduct industry-university-research collaboration guidance. Mr. Huang, the company's general manager, along with the core management team, warmly received the delegation and accompanied them throughout the inspection and exchange.

Field Inspection: Gaining In-Depth Insights into Industrial Practices on the Frontline

Mr. Huang first extended a warm welcome to Secretary Zheng and his delegation, then led the team on a tour of the company's R&D laboratory and product exhibition area. During the visit, Mr. Huang provided detailed introductions on the technical principles, production processes, and market application scenarios of the company's core independently developed products, including high-purity specialty gas pre‑purification CO treatment catalysts, VOCs noble metal honeycomb catalysts, ozone decomposition catalysts, and PMI foam materials. He particularly highlighted the company’s technological breakthroughs in catalyst products and PMI foam materials. Secretary Zheng Yanheng and his team listened attentively, frequently inquired about product performance parameters and industrialization challenges, and spoke highly of the company’s innovative achievements and industrial capabilities in the fields of catalyst products and PMI foam materials.

Roundtable Discussion: Exploring Pathways to Industry-University-Research Collaboration

After the inspection, both sides held a discussion in the company conference room. Secretary Zheng Yanheng, highlighting the college's disciplinary strengths, pointed out: "The practical experience of Hunan Xintan in catalyst products and PMI foam materials aligns closely with the research directions of our School of Materials Science and Engineering. The college can leverage national-level experimental platforms and talent resources to provide technical support for the company, while the enterprise can offer practical training bases for students, enabling mutual empowerment." He expressed hope that the two sides could reach cooperation in areas such as the establishment of joint R&D centers and collaborative key technology projects.

Mr. Huang responded, "The company is currently facing challenges such as a shortage of high-end talent and pressure from technological iteration. We look forward to deepening cooperation with Changsha University of Science & Technology, leveraging the intellectual resources of the college to overcome bottlenecks in the green preparation and performance optimization of PMI foam materials. We are also willing to provide practical opportunities for faculty and students and jointly cultivate application-oriented talents urgently needed by the industry." The two sides further discussed specific details of collaboration.

Conclusion and Outlook: Jointly Promoting Industrial Upgrading

This guidance and exchange activity not only deepened mutual trust and understanding between the university and the enterprise but also clarified the direction for future cooperation. Secretary Zheng Yanheng emphasized, "The integration of industry, academia, and research is a crucial link in promoting technological innovation and industrial development. We hope both sides will take this exchange as a starting point to achieve complementary strengths and mutual benefits." Mr. Huang stated that the company would seize this opportunity to accelerate cooperation with the college and jointly contribute to the high-quality development of the PMI foam material industry.

Moving forward, both parties will continue to deepen collaboration, focusing on technological innovation and talent cultivation in the PMI foam materials sector, injecting new momentum into the upgrading of Hunan Province's new materials industry.