In order to promote cooperation and exchanges between scientists and researchers in the field of advanced materials and technologies for energy, environmental, electronic information and biomedical applications, and to build connections between newly emerged materials, technologies and industry, as well as to promote industrial applications of these materials and technologies, the 21^st International Symposium on Eco-materials Processing and Design (ISEPD2020) was held in Yantai, Shandong, from January 12 to 15, 2020. The conference was organized by USTB and co-organized by seven other organizations including the International Union of Materials Research Societies, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Shandong Chinspire International Talent Technology Co. Prof. CAO Wenbin, associate dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, USTB, chaired the conference.

Group photo, welcoming ceremony

At the welcome ceremony, Prof. CAO Wenbin delivered the opening remarks. He expressed his sincere thanks to the scientists and researchers who supported ISEPD and ensured the success of the conference. In his speech, he briefly introduced the historical background and significance of the ISEPD, and expressed his intention of making the conference a top-level global platform for cooperation and exchanges.

Opening speech, by Prof. CAO Wenbin (USTB), Chair of ISEPD2020

Mr. LIU Jianmin, deputy secretary of the Working Committee of the Shandong Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area (YEDA), delivered a speech on behalf of the local government. He expressed warm congratulations on the convening of the conference and extended a sincere welcome to the attendees. Mr. LIU said that YEDA has placed great importance on promoting talents and academic-industrial collaborations for the past 30 years. He conveyed his hope that the conference would bridge the gap between the academic and the industrial world for scientists and researchers.

Prof. Soo Wohn Lee, Sun Moon University, South Korea, former President of the International Union of Materials Research Societies, then delivered a speech. He mentioned that as one of the founders of the conference, he had seen the symposium being successfully held 20 times previously thanks to all-around strong support. He continued with his hope that the next 20 symposiums would realize further achievements and innovations by making greater contributions to the global development of materials research.

Congratulation address, Prof. Soo Whon Lee (Sunmoon Univ., Korea), former president, IUMRS

Plenary speech, Prof. DONG Shaoming, Academician, CAE, China

Prof. DONG Shaoming (Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Prof. Christof Wöll (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, Academician of the German Academy of Sciences), Prof. Katsuaki Suganuma (Director of the Institute of Science and Industry, Osaka University, Japan), Prof. Shinichi Komaba (Tokyo University of Science, Japan) and Prof. Young Moo Lee (14th President of Hanyang University, Korea) delivered exciting plenary speeches during the conference.

Plenary speech, Prof. Christof Wöll, Academician of the German Academy of Sciences, Germany

The conference had six focused sessions on green manufacturing and material processing, advanced ecological materials, energy conversion and storage, environmentally friendly materials, long-lasting materials, materials genome engineering, and two special sessions on "Green Building Materials & Solid Waste Recycling and Recovery: to Create a Quality and Sustainable Living Environment" and "Polymer and Membrane: Environment for Air and Water Treatment" for in-depth scientific discussions.

Discussion during coffee & tea break

(Profs. KANG Feiyu, PANG Xiaolu, CAO Wenbin, DONG Shaoming and SUN Jing)

The purpose of the conference is to create a global platform for a cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral scientific and technological exchanges, to publicize national and local innovation and entrepreneurship policies, to promote international cooperative and innovative projects with comparative advantages and mutual benefits, and serve national innovation and development strategies. Over 450 scientists and researchers from nine different countries and regions, including China, Japan, Korea, Germany, etc., attended the conference. These included Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and German Academy of Sciences, the International Union of Materials Research Societies, and scientific leaders from Japan and Korea. Well-known experts and outstanding student representatives in relevant fields participated in the in-depth discussions and exchanges on hot topics such as the green processing of materials, new materials for energy storage and energy conversion, the frontiers and future development of ecological materials which can promote the close collaboration and integration of the international scientific community and industry, as well as the future development of ecological material design and processing.

ISEPD2020 was organized by USTB