The global new energy industry is in a period of rapid growth. Driven by carbon peaking and neutrality goals, emerging fields such as lithium battery materials, sodium-ion battery materials and solid electrolytes are rising fast and becoming a core force in the energy transition. China's new energy supply chain, from materials to applications, is going through a critical phase of rapid capacity expansion, faster technology iteration and a reshaped competitive landscape.
Against this background, intelligent, large-scale, technology-driven industrial parks have become an important foundation of corporate competitiveness. INFOR's new Hubei industrial park is about to open, and to mark the occasion the 2026 New Energy and New Materials Industry Development Forum and INFOR Hubei Industrial Park Opening Ceremony will be held on 16-17 November 2026 in Gucheng, Xiangyang, Hubei. Hosted by INFOR, co-hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), co-organized by Central South University and supported by the Gucheng County People's Government, the forum will focus on three themes, lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state materials, bringing together hundreds of industry leaders in an in-depth platform linking government, industry, academia, research and investment across the whole supply chain.
Among the forum's distinguished guests, Prof. Hu Guorong, professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, and recipient of the State Council Special Allowance, has confirmed his attendance and will give a keynote titled "Technology Development of LFP Materials and the Industry's Competitive Landscape", expected to be a highlight of the forum.
Hu Guorong holds a doctorate in engineering and is a Grade II professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University; a State Council Special Allowance expert; deputy director of the technical committee of the Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Advanced Battery Materials; executive director of the China Industrial Association of Power Sources; an editorial board member of Chinese Journal of Power Sources and Lithium Battery Express; and an expert committee member of the Lithium Salt Branch of the China Inorganic Salt Industry Association. He also serves as an independent director of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile and Hubei Xingfa Group. He has led or taken part in more than 20 national and provincial research projects, including leading one 863 Program project, one National Key Technology R&D Program project, one NDRC high-tech industrialization project and several provincial key science and technology projects.
Prof. Hu was among the first in the world to develop high-density, high-voltage-plateau lithium cobalt oxide, breaking the technological monopoly of Japan and Europe; the products were adopted by international giants such as Panasonic and Samsung. For his research achievements he has received the Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (First Class, first contributor), the Shandong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class, first contributor), recognition as one of Changsha's Top Ten Young Science and Technology Talents and as a leading talent in Sichuan's Tianfu Emei Program, among other honours.
Throughout the critical journey of lithium battery cathode materials from laboratory to large-scale application, Prof. Hu has been at the forefront of combining research and industry. At INFOR's opening ceremony and forum he will share in-depth insights into LFP technology trends and the evolving industry landscape, offering attendees a perspective of both academic depth and industrial value. His participation recognizes INFOR's achievements and strongly reinforces the forum's professional standing and industry influence.
Every industrial leap depends on the vision of pioneers. On 16-17 November in Gucheng, Xiangyang, Hubei, we warmly invite industry colleagues to join us, hear from leading experts, witness INFOR's new beginning and open a new chapter for new energy materials together.
