The 2026 China Polyurethane Flexible Foam Industry Sustainable Development Technology Conference concluded successfully in Zibo.

The 2026 China Polyurethane Flexible Foam Industry Sustainable Development Technology Conference concluded successfully in Zibo.

From May 29 to 31, the 2026 China Polyurethane Flexible Foam Industry Sustainable Development Technology Conference was held in Zibo, hosted by the journal “Polyurethane Industry” and co-organized by Yinuowei. The conference aligned with the development priorities of the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, focusing on green and low-carbon practices, high-end innovation, intelligent efficiency, and circular sustainability. It highlighted key industry areas such as low-VOC materials, bio-based technologies, smart manufacturing, and recycling, drawing more than 150 experts, scholars, and corporate representatives from national industry associations, research institutes, and upstream and downstream segments of the value chain for discussion and exchange.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Mr. Qian Hongxiang, Vice President of Shengnuo Group, delivered a keynote address. He noted that the industry is currently grappling with a structural challenge: demand growth is lagging behind capacity expansion. He called on the entire sector to join forces in pursuing sustainable development—focusing on quality enhancement, green transformation, and collaborative win‑win outcomes—to collectively advance the industry toward the high end of the global value chain. During the thematic report session, several industry leaders shared forward‑looking insights. Mr. Zhang Feng, Vice President of Shengnuo Group, provided a systematic analysis of evolving market demand trends and articulated the core development philosophy of “making sponge products safer, more environmentally friendly, more attuned to market needs, and more trustworthy.” Mr. He Wenliang, Vice President of Guangdong Yi’ao Home Furnishings, offered an in‑depth examination of the global export landscape for soft‑foam home furnishings, dissected the impact of international trade tensions and European and American environmental regulations, and outlined strategic responses. Meanwhile, Mr. Qiu Guohao, General Manager of Zhejiang Gaoyu Home Furnishings, identified four major technological trends—safety, cleanliness, greenness, and efficiency—and highlighted the latest breakthroughs in these fields.

Dr. Ge Huan from Yinuowei’s R&D Center delivered a keynote presentation, systematically outlining the company’s R&D framework and innovative achievements in soft foams and CASE polyether products. He highlighted the technical advantages and application prospects of specialized polyether grades, including high‑resilience, slow‑rebound, and flame‑retardant foam polyethers, thereby showcasing the company’s deep technical expertise and robust innovation capabilities. In addition, experts from Nantong Muye, Saino New Materials, Wanhua Chemical, the Institute of Forest Products Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, and the Liming Chemical Research and Design Institute presented insightful reports on current industry trends.

On the afternoon of May 31, the conference organized a special site‑visit event at Yinuowei. Attendees toured the central control room, the construction site of Phase III, and the science and technology innovation center, gaining firsthand insight into Yinuowei’s innovative achievements in smart manufacturing, green production, technological R&D, and capacity planning.

As the flagship technological event marking the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan for the flexible foam industry, this conference has brought together the collective wisdom and resources of the entire sector, offering a profound understanding of the overarching trends driving industry transformation—namely, the upgrading of demand tiers and the restructuring of overall production capacity. It not only provides a practical roadmap for corporate technological innovation and strategic transformation but also injects strong momentum into advancing China’s flexible foam industry toward greener, higher‑end, and smarter development.