#China #Hohhot #Yili #Dairy Innovation #NCTID

The National Center for Dairy Innovation's Annual Conference in Inner Mongolia

On September 27-28, 2025, the National Center for Technology Innovation in Dairy (NCTID) hosted its third annual conference in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. This year’s event brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss significant advancements in the dairy sector, unveiling the top ten achievements of NCTID for the year 2025.

Conference Highlights

During the conference, the NCTID highlighted key achievements that are setting new standards for the industry. Among these were the breeding of world-class dairy cows, breakthroughs in research on maternal milk, increased production of essential ingredients, enhancements in dairy product processing technologies, and the creation of dairy products that promote healthy aging. Additionally, the center emphasized the importance of sustainability across the sector, showcasing its commitment to a better future for dairy.

He Jian, the General Director of NCTID, recounted the organization’s progress and visions for the future. He noted, "The last three years have served as a formative period for the NCTID, during which we have established an open and collaborative industrial platform. Looking ahead, we will place greater emphasis on research centered around business incubation, while further positioning our annual conference as a premier scientific forum."

Expert Presentations

The conference also featured presentations from top institutions, including the China Agricultural University, Beijing University of Technology and Commerce, Inner Mongolia University, and New Zealand's Bioeconomy Science Institute. Stefan Clerens, head of the Smart Foods and Bioproducts group at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, discussed recent advancements in food science. His presentation highlighted a pipeline of developing brain-healthy foods, emphasizing that using intestinal-brain axis cellular models for selection could mitigate R&D risks and strongly support innovation in product development.

As NCTID's international profile continues to grow, it recently launched a special publication titled Focal Point on Dairy Research in China, featured in Nature. This publication underscores the center’s achievements and its collaborative efforts with member organizations, including Yili. It highlights the pivotal role the NCTID plays in bridging the gap between research and industrial application, promoting innovation, and advancing the dairy industry.

Future Directions

Furthermore, NCTID, in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Protection Center of Inner Mongolia, released the findings of its 2025 joint study titled A Survey of the Intellectual Property Legal Environment in Southeast Asia and Strategic Recommendations for Dairy Companies' Overseas Expansion. Under the guidance of the Yili Group, the NCTID has emerged as a driving force for progress and the application of advanced technologies, fostering advancements that support the growth of a high-quality dairy sector in China.

Looking forward, NCTID plans to adopt a more open approach to collaboration, integrating governments, businesses, universities, research institutions, and stakeholders throughout the supply chain. Through more frequent innovations and inclusive public services, the center aims to provide stronger support for the long-term growth of the Chinese dairy industry.



The message from NCTID’s annual conference is clear: innovation and collaboration are at the heart of driving advancements in the dairy industry, promising a sustainability-focused approach for future growth. This gathering serves not only as a platform for showcasing achievements but also as a fundamental meeting point for industry leaders committed to making meaningful progress.