On 12 October, the 2026 World Conference on New Energy and New Materials opened in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. Under the theme 'Diverse Collaboration and Complementary Energy Sources: Jointly Creating a New Global Energy Ecosystem', the conference focused on the development of the entire industrial chain for new energy and new materials. From the perspective of the steel industry, the conference signalled a continued expansion in demand for steel in the new energy sector.

At the conference, Inner Mongolia Baogang Steel Union Co., Ltd. unveiled its technical achievement entitled 'Research and Development and Industrial Application of Steel for Long-Distance Hydrogen Pipelines in New Energy'. Long-distance hydrogen pipelines place high demands on steel in terms of hydrogen compatibility and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and represent a critical component in the construction of hydrogen energy infrastructure. The release of this achievement reflects how steel enterprises are accelerating their technological breakthroughs in the field of steel for new energy applications, extending into emerging scenarios such as hydrogen transmission.

The conference was held in conjunction with the World New Energy and New Materials Exhibition, which covered an exhibition area of 30,000 square metres and featured exhibition zones dedicated to wind energy, solar photovoltaics, hydrogen energy, energy storage, new energy vehicles and coal-based new materials. Wind turbine towers, photovoltaic mounting structures, structural components for energy storage equipment and steel for new energy vehicles are all key downstream sectors for the steel industry. Central and state-owned enterprises such as China Huaneng, State Power Investment Corporation, China Three Gorges Corporation and State Energy Group, alongside companies including Envision Energy, Yitai Group and Mengtai Group, took part in the exhibition and conference, with lively networking taking place across the entire industrial chain.

Officials in Ordos have stated that they are promoting the integrated development of traditional and new energy sources, as well as extending the value chain of coal chemical industry and new materials. Against the backdrop of weakening demand for steel in traditional construction, steel for the new energy sector is becoming a key focus for steel enterprises in restructuring their product portfolios; the progress made in implementing relevant technological achievements and projects warrants continued attention.