Chongqing—The Mingyue Lake Laboratory, one of the key laboratories under Chongqing’s science and technology innovation strategy, was officially inaugurated on July 16 in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area.
A test engineer operated instruments to analyze materials at the Mingyue Lake Laboratory's Equipment Innovation and R&D Center. (Photo/Ran Yulin)
Built on the foundation of big data of materials and intelligent design, the laboratory focuses on advanced energy storage materials, high-performance lightweight materials, smart materials, and cutting-edge interdisciplinary materials.
Pan Fusheng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of Mingyue Lake Laboratory, stated that materials are the foundation and technical driver of scientific progress, while new materials are a core pillar of modern industry. In 2024, Chongqing's GDP reached 3.2 trillion yuan (445.63 billion USD), with the materials industry contributing 641.5 billion yuan, including a 10.3% growth in lightweight alloy materials.
Pan highlighted that as a major manufacturing hub, Chongqing must substantially strengthen its materials sector. According to research conducted by his team, in leading manufacturing cities worldwide, the materials industry typically accounts for at least one-third—and no less than one-quarter—of total industrial output.
Without this proportion, sustainable industrial growth is difficult to maintain. Chongqing is now accelerating the development of a modern manufacturing cluster system, in which the materials industry is positioned to achieve a trillion-yuan scale and support the advancement of other industrial clusters.
Globally, developed countries such as the U.S. and Japan prioritize the materials industry. Multinational companies such as DuPont, 3M, and BASF dominate the new materials field with research capabilities, technological expertise, economic strength, and market share.
In contrast, China has developed the world’s most comprehensive and largest-scale materials industry system. By 2023, the total output value of China’s new materials sector had reached 7.9 trillion yuan, marking a 75.6% increase over five years. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, this figure is projected to surpass 10 trillion yuan by 2025.
However, Chongqing’s share of the national new materials sector was only 1.72% as of 2023, falling short of its strategic economic role. The laboratory’s establishment aims to bridge this gap and bolster industrial support. Pan stressed that its development is critical to enhancing Chongqing’s overall industrial competitiveness.
Since its founding in 2022, the laboratory has advanced both research and industrialization in parallel, while expanding its team and facilities. It now employs over 400 researchers, including more than 100 senior professionals, and its facilities span 50,000 square meters, meeting all criteria for official inauguration.
Over the past three years, the laboratory has made several breakthroughs. Its integrated large-scale magnesium alloy die-cast components have been successfully installed for testing on vehicles produced by SERES, a premium Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. BYD has also engaged in multiple rounds of communication with the lab to explore applications of lightweight materials. Magnesium alloy components developed by the laboratory were also successfully deployed on the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft.
The pilot production line was engaged in the fabrication and testing of pouch-type magnesium-ion battery cells at Mingyue Lake Laboratory. (Photo/Ran Yulin)
Additionally, the laboratory plans to further enhance its international operations by encouraging international capital to participate in technology commercialization. It is a key step toward supporting the establishment of joint laboratories or offshore R&D centers with overseas research institutions. These efforts aim to strengthen the lab’s capacity to integrate global innovation resources and expand its international academic influence.