According to news from Zhongtiaoshan Group: After comprehensive evaluation and scoring by relevant experts organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Shanxi Province, on May 23, 2025, the Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Copper-Based New Materials (hereinafter referred to as the Laboratory) successfully passed the acceptance inspection, marking the authoritative recognition of the Laboratory's innovation capabilities and platform construction level in the field of copper-based new materials.
The Laboratory is constructed by North Copper Co., Ltd. as the main entity, relying on Shanxi Beitong New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., and jointly established in collaboration with Central South University and Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. Since its approval for construction in December 2022, the Laboratory has been anchored in the goal of technological breakthroughs in the field of high-end copper-based materials. Taking the deep integration of industry, academia, and research as the path, it has continuously made efforts in key technological breakthroughs, scientific research platform construction, and the application of research achievements, injecting strong scientific and technological momentum into the transformation and upgrading of Shanxi's copper industry. On April 29, 2025, the Department of Science and Technology of Shanxi Province organized the project acceptance inspection. After listening to reports, reviewing materials, conducting field trips, and engaging in discussions and inquiries, the expert panel unanimously agreed that the Laboratory had outstanding performance in terms of the standardization of construction and operation, breakthroughs in scientific research achievements, the effectiveness of talent cultivation, and the driving force in serving the industry, and gave it high praise.
Focus on Strategic Needs and Build a Full-Chain Innovation System
The Laboratory closely aligns with the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the new materials industry in Shanxi Province, constructing an innovation chain of "basic research - technological breakthroughs - achievement transformation." After the construction plan was approved in June 2023, it collaborated with universities such as Central South University and Taiyuan University of Science and Technology to apply for a total of 7 provincial, ministerial, and municipal-level scientific research projects, promoting the iteration of the enterprise's core technologies. Through the model of "horizontal cooperation + open projects," it signed 2 horizontal projects, established 8 open projects, conducted over 20 technical exchanges with universities, organized 4 academic conferences, and 3 science popularization activities, forming an open ecosystem of "resource sharing and collaborative innovation."
Consolidate the Foundation of Scientific Research and Build a Shared Service Platform
The Laboratory aims at "equipment sharing and data interoperability," and has launched 11 large-scale instruments, including scanning electron microscopes, onto the Shared Service Platform for Large-Scale Scientific Research Facilities and Instruments in Shanxi Province, opening them up for sharing among enterprises and institutions, and achieving the goal of "instrument sharing, resource sharing, and win-win outcomes." At the same time, it has improved and revised 14 management systems, held 4 management committee meetings and 2 academic committee meetings, forming a scientific and efficient governance mechanism.
Achieve Breakthroughs in Key Technologies with Remarkable Results in Achievement Transformation
Over the past two years, the Laboratory has published a total of 10 papers, applied for 10 invention patents, been granted 5 utility model patents, and participated in the formulation of 1 industry standard and 2 group standards. Significant breakthroughs have also been achieved in product R&D. The single-roll length of 6μm ultra-thin rolled copper foil has exceeded 20,000 meters, setting a new industry record. The 12μm blackened foil has achieved stable mass production in China for the first time, breaking the foreign technological monopoly. Through industry-university-research cooperation, more than 20 master's and doctoral students have been cultivated, and 18 technical backbones from enterprises have been jointly trained, forming a virtuous cycle of "project-based talent cultivation - talent-driven research".
Strengthening Resource Guarantee and Leadership-Driven Promotion Throughout the Process
Wei Yinghui, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Zhongtiaoshan Group and North Copper, attaches great importance to the construction of the laboratory. He concurrently serves as the Director of the Management Committee and the Deputy Director of the Academic Committee, coordinating the precise allocation of scientific research funds, ensuring the timely introduction of advanced equipment, and promoting the continuous upgrading of scientific research conditions. Under resource coordination and strategic planning, the laboratory has overcome challenges such as equipment shortages and technological blockades, laying a solid foundation for scientific research.
Acceptance is not the endpoint, but a new starting point towards higher goals. In the next step, the laboratory will focus on tackling the "chokepoint" technologies in high-end copper-based materials, deepening cooperation with top-tier universities and research institutes, improving the full-chain innovation mechanism, and striving to advance towards the goal of becoming a "leading innovation hub for copper-based new materials in China". It will leverage scientific and technological strength to drive the transformation and development of Shanxi Province, demonstrating its commitment in serving national strategies.
