#China #Yili Group #Hohhot #NCTID #Dairy Science

Unlocking Dairy's Future: Key Highlights from NCTID's Annual Conference

On September 27-28, 2025, the National Center for Technology Innovation in Dairy (NCTID) held its third annual conference in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. This pivotal gathering drew leading experts and institutions committed to revolutionizing the dairy industry through cutting-edge research and technology.

Celebrating Achievements

During the conference, NCTID presented its Top Ten Achievements of 2025, which encapsulated groundbreaking developments designed to enhance the dairy sector. Among the pivotal advancements were:

• - Breeding World-Class Dairy Cattle: The achievement of breeding high-performing dairy cattle sets a new industry standard, promising increased productivity and sustainability.
• - Breast Milk Research: Innovations in breast milk research underline the importance of nutrition, particularly for maternal and infant health.
• - Key Ingredient Production Scaling: Enhancing the production of essential dairy ingredients ensures a cleaner and more efficient supply chain.
• - Advanced Processing Technologies: Refinements in dairy processing techniques aim to improve product quality and safety.
• - Dairy Products for Healthy Aging: Diverse product developments cater specifically to the aging population, focusing on health benefits.
• - Sustainability Efforts: Initiatives aimed at promoting environmental stewardship are integral to the Center’s goals.

He Jian, General Manager of NCTID, emphasized during his remarks that the past few years of the organization have been foundational. “We have created an open and collaborative platform to drive innovation in the industry,” He stated. The focus now will pivot towards fostering research while incorporating business incubation to enhance collaborative synergies.

Insights from Experts

The conference featured presentations from prominent institutions, including China Agricultural University and New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute. Dr. Stefan Clerens from the Bioeconomy Science Institute presented key findings related to food science. His insights on using gut–brain axis cell models provide a critical understanding for developing foods that benefit brain health, potentially reducing risks associated with research and development.

The conference also marked a milestone with the launch of a special publication in Nature, which highlights the collaborative achievements within dairy research in China. This publication showcases NCTID’s efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.

Expanding Global Influence

Furthermore, NCTID strengthened its international profile by collaborating with the Inner Mongolia Intellectual Property Protection Center to publish findings from their 2025 survey on the legal environment for intellectual property in Southeast Asia, highlighting strategic recommendations for enhanced overseas expansion among dairy companies.

With Yili Group driving the initiatives, NCTID's influence continues to expand as it embraces high technologies that propel the entire dairy sector forward.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, NCTID is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative ecosystem that engages governments, enterprises, universities, and research institutes. By enhancing research and providing public services, the Center aims to offer robust support for the sustained growth and high-quality development of China's dairy industry. This approach ensures innovations are not only frequent but also impactful—laying the groundwork for future advancements in dairy science and technology.

As NCTID continues its mission, the annual conference acts as a crucial forum for industry leaders and researchers to exchange ideas and inspire progress within the dairy landscape. Each gathering reaffirms the commitment to sustainability, health, and innovation—a promising horizon for the future of dairy.