In order to summarize the achievements of China in Niobium microalloying technology during the past 40 years of reform and opening up, and further promote the high-quality development of China's iron & steel industry, the international symposium & celebration ceremony for “40th Anniversary of Nb Science and Technology Cooperation - China and Brazil” was held in Beijing on December 2-3. Xu Zuo, Deputy General Manager of CITIC Group, attended and addressed the event.

This conference was co-sponsored by CITIC Group, Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Minerao (CBMM), China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group (CISRI) and The Chinese Society for Metals, and organized by CITIC Metal. More than 200 leaders and experts from steel industry such as China Baowu Steel Group and Shougang Group, upstream & downstream industries and research institutes such as automobile industry, energy industry, building structure industry, as well as Brazil, the United States, Europe, Singapore and other countries and regions attended the conference.

Niobium microalloying technology is one of the main technologies in the production of low-alloy high-strength steel. In 1979, CBMM, the world's largest supplier of Niobium products, introduced internationally advanced Niobium microalloying technology to China, and carried out close cooperation with CITIC Metal, Central Iron & Steel Research Institute and China's iron & steel industry to popularize and promote niobium microalloying technology in China for a long time, making outstanding contributions to the development of China's low-alloy high-strength steel and the enhancement of its international competitiveness. As the exclusive distributor of CBMM in China, CITIC Metal has creatively applied the “Technical + Business” mode. After more than 30 years of hard work, China has developed into the largest market of CBMM in the world, accounting for more than 30% of its global sales.

On behalf of CITIC Group, deputy general manager Xu Zuo first of all extended his welcome to all the guests present. He pointed out that with the joint efforts of enterprises and academia in China and Brazil, Nb science and technology in China has been continuously popularized and developed, which has promoted the technological progress of China's iron & steel industry and downstream industries. At present, trade protectionism is on the rise, and global economic situation is complex and grim. China's economy has shifted from a stage of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development. The iron & steel industry is facing both major opportunities and complex challenges. It is hoped that people from all walks of life in the two countries will continue to be guided by innovation, further deepen cooperation, jointly tackle risks and challenges, fully tap the industrial potential and contribute new strength to the high-quality development of iron & steel industry in China and even the world.

The conference also presented Lifetime Achievement Award, Innovation Team Award, Outstanding Contribution Award, Niobium Steel Pioneer Award and other awards for “40 years of China-Brazil cooperation in Nb science and technology” to teams and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of Nb science and technology in China. During the period, 24 experts and scholars at home and abroad made high-level reports, focusing on the summary of China's achievements in the development and application of niobium steel in various fields since the reform and opening up, and conducted in-depth exchanges on new progresses in terms of the R&D of Nb science and technology abroad.

Wang Kang, director-general of Office of the BOD of CITIC Group. Sun Yufeng, president of CITIC Metal Group, Eduardo Ribeiro, president of CBMM, academician Gan Yong, president of the Chinese Society for Metals and other leaders attended the conference.