Academician Xu Zhenghe, 、Receives the IMPC 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

Academician Xu Zhenghe, 、Receives the IMPC 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

From October 18 to 22, 2026, the 32nd International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC 2026) was held in Cape Town, South Africa. At the congress, Academician Xu Zhenghe, Chairman of the Technical Committee of Highpower Technology, received the congress's highest honor-the IMPC 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Academician Xu is a Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His research spans breakthroughs in fundamental theory and large-scale industrial application, and his achievements have had a profound impact on the green and efficient utilization of global mineral resources and energy. Upon receiving this good news, all colleagues at Highpower Technology extend their most sincere congratulations and highest respect to Academician Xu Zhenghe.

I. The Highest Accolade in Global Mineral Processing

IMPC (International Mineral Processing Congress) is the world's highest-level academic event in mineral processing and resource recovery. Held every two to three years, it is a top platform connecting the global academic and industrial communities.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor of IMPC. It is awarded to only one scholar each session to recognize the recipient's lifetime pioneering academic contributions in mineral processing, resource separation, solid waste and battery resource recycling, as well as industrial achievements and long-term value in advancing the global industry. Its rarity and authority make it a widely revered academic pinnacle in global mineral processing.

Before receiving the IMPC Lifetime Achievement Award, Academician Xu's contributions had already been highly recognized by the international mineral processing community. The 2024 Antoine M. Gaudin Award he received, presented by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) of the United States, is a top academic achievement award in the field. The core reason for the award was "outstanding contributions to developing new interface materials to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in oil sands extraction."

II. Overcoming Difficulties and Serving Industrial Applications

Academician Xu has long been engaged in material separation science and surface/interface chemistry. He solved a worldwide challenge in fine particle flotation and made pioneering contributions to the theoretical evolution and engineering practice of global mineral processing.

His academic research extends far beyond traditional flotation. Over the years, Academician Xu has continued to work deeply in lithium battery materials, hydrometallurgical recycling of spent batteries, particle interface chemistry, and other directions, achieving outstanding results. Related recycling processes have been industrialized in mining and resource recycling enterprises in China, the United States, Canada, and other countries, effectively promoting the translation of scientific research results from the laboratory to industrial front lines.

From the theoretical frontier of fine particle flotation to the industrial front line of spent battery recycling, Academician Xu has demonstrated, through decades of dedication and perseverance, the scholarly path of a scientist working alongside industry.

III. Industry-Academia Collaboration: Deep Practice of Industry-Academia-Research Integration with Highpower

The ultimate destination of science lies in industry, and the future of industry depends on science. As Chairman of the Technical Committee of Highpower Technology, Academician Xu provides strategic guidance for the company's frontier R&D directions such as solid-state batteries and silicon-carbon anode applications, and provides key ideas for other technical directions. He is the academic leader of Highpower Technology's technological innovation system.

Academician Xu's research layout in innovative new material applications and solid-state batteries is highly consistent with Highpower Technology's development strategy. This consistency is not accidental; it is the inevitable result of Highpower Technology's adherence to industry-academia-research collaboration and the establishment of its Technical Committee platform: the academic height of the academician closely matches and synergizes with Highpower's industrial depth.

IV. Taking the Honor as a Starting Point and Setting Out Again Toward the Future

This Lifetime Achievement Award is not only a coronation of a scientist's lifelong contributions, but also a witness to the spirit of an academic discipline and an industrial era. It belongs to Academician Xu Zhenghe, and also to all fellow travelers who tirelessly pursue the path of resource recycling.

Under the guidance of Academician Xu Zhenghe, Highpower Technology's innovative R&D team will further deepen industry-academia-research collaboration, promote two-way integration of academic resources and industrial needs, continue to advance the layout of frontier technologies such as new-generation batteries, promote the transformation of academic achievements into industrial practice, and contribute to the high-quality development of the global new energy industry.

Once again, congratulations to Academician Xu Zhenghe on receiving the IMPC 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award!