2026 Analysis Report on Technological Progress of Qingtian New Materials

Based on the latest information, I am providing you with a comprehensive analysis report on the 2026 technological progress of Qingtian New Materials.

Led by Yu Qingkai, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chairman of Shanghai Qingtian New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., the team has made a major breakthrough in the field of natural gas cracking hydrogen-carbon co-production technology[1]. This technology can simultaneously produce high-purity hydrogen and graphite under almost zero-pollution working conditions, realizing green and high-value utilization of methane resources[1].

Compared with traditional high-pollutant hydrogen and carbon production processes, this technology has significant advantages:

• Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  : Eliminates the problem of carbon dioxide emissions in traditional processes
• Cost-Efficiency Advantage
  : More economical and efficient in distributed scenarios such as chemical plants and hydrogen refueling stations
• Dual Product Output
  : Simultaneously produces two high-value-added products: hydrogen and graphite

Yu Qingkai returned to China in 2018 to engage in the R&D and industrialization of natural gas cracking hydrogen-carbon co-production technology[1]. He stated, “China is launching large-scale underlying innovation, and what I am doing is innovative work.”[1] This technology has received support from the National Key R&D Program, becoming an important path for green hydrogen and carbon production[1].

Currently, the team is focusing on overcoming the issue of continuous operation of cracking reactors, which is a key technical bottleneck for industrialization[1]. The specific R&D directions include:

• Extend Stable Continuous Operation Time
  : The goal is to increase stable continuous operation time to one month as soon as possible[1]
• Continuous System Operation
  : Resolve equipment stability issues in long-term continuous production
• Optimization of Process Parameters
  : Improve cracking efficiency and product purity

Increasing the continuous operation time of cracking reactors is of great significance for industrial production:

• Reduce Unit Production Costs
  : Continuous production significantly reduces cost increases caused by shutdowns for maintenance
• Improve Capacity Utilization
  : Stable continuous operation means higher annual output
• Consistent Product Quality
  : Continuous processes help ensure stable product quality

Shanghai Qingtian New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2021, relying on the support of the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Shanghai’s scientific and technological innovation platform to promote technology R&D and industrialization[1]. The company focuses on the large-scale preparation of clean hydrogen and high-purity carbon materials, and is committed to transforming laboratory achievements into industrial productivity.

Yu Qingkai stated, “In terms of market layout, we plan to carry out large-scale production in natural gas-producing areas, and will also promote national distributed hydrogen production in chemical industries and hydrogen refueling stations with high hydrogen demand.”[1] This strategic layout reflects accurate grasp of resource endowments and market demand.

• Achieve near-zero-pollutant hydrogen production
• Avoid greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the “Dual Carbon” strategy requirements

• High-purity hydrogen: Meets industrial and electronic-grade application requirements
• High-purity graphite: Has broad application prospects in high-end materials

• Cost-competitive compared with traditional hydrogen production processes
• High flexibility in deployment in distributed scenarios

This technology meets the strategic needs of national energy transformation:

• Supported by the National Key R&D Program[1]
• Aligns with the “Dual Carbon” strategic goals
• Benefits from policies for the construction of Shanghai International Science and Technology Innovation Center[1]

In early 2026, China’s hydrogen energy industry is showing an accelerated development trend. Taking the Zhang-Cheng-Tang hydrogen energy regional pilot in Hebei Province as an example, this project was successfully selected into the first batch of national hydrogen energy pilots in the energy sector[2]. According to the plan:

• 2026
  : Core projects enter the construction phase[2]
• 2028
  : The full-chain industrial ecosystem will be fully formed, realizing closed-loop commercial operation[2]
• Ecological Benefits
  : After full-load operation, the annual hydrogen transmission volume will reach 1.55 million tons, which can replace 4.81 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9.16 million tons[2]

Yu Qingkai pointed out that against the background of the “Dual Carbon” strategy, hydrogen energy will become a core sector of energy transformation[1]. The strategic value of green hydrogen is reflected in:

• Energy Security
  : Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
• Environmental Protection
  : Realize clean energy substitution
• Industrial Upgrading
  : Promote the development of high-end materials industry

Yu Qingkai values the agglomeration effect brought by the construction of Shanghai International Science and Technology Innovation Center[1]:

• Gathering of High-End Talents
  : Attract outstanding scientific research talents from around the world
• Convenient Resource Flow
  : Promote efficient flow of technology, capital, and talents
• Diverse and Open Living Environment
  : Create a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship

The overall advantages of the Yangtze River Delta and Shanghai’s hub function enable scientific and technological workers to continuously gain support, facilitating scientific research and personal growth[1]. This regional collaboration model provides a favorable ecosystem for technological innovation.

• Short-Term Goal
  : Achieve stable continuous operation of cracking reactors for more than one month
• Mid-Term Goal
  : Complete industrialization and demonstration application of the technology
• Long-Term Goal
  : Establish a leading domestic and global hydrogen-carbon co-production technology system

• Technology Transformation
  : Innovation capital investment in cutting-edge fields such as new materials and chemical industry is balanced and booming[1]
• Industrial Chain Collaboration
  : Expect continuous policy incentives for innovation vitality to promote collaboration across all links of the industrial chain
• International Influence
  : Support China’s innovation with original work, and ultimately let innovative achievements influence the world[1]

Yu Qingkai hopes to use this to promote social attention to scientific and technological innovation and cross-border exchanges, “letting innovation take root locally and talents thrive”[1]. This industry-university-research cooperation model provides a favorable development platform for scientific and technological workers.

In 2026, Qingtian New Materials has made major breakthroughs in the field of hydrogen-carbon co-production. The team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences is promoting the industrialization of natural gas cracking hydrogen-carbon co-production technology by overcoming key technical bottlenecks such as continuous operation of cracking reactors. The successful R&D and industrialization of this technology will not only help achieve zero-pollutant hydrogen production and support energy transformation, but also provide a new development path for the high-end graphite materials industry.

With the in-depth advancement of the national “Dual Carbon” strategy and the accelerated development of the hydrogen energy industry, this technology is expected to be demonstrated in 2026 and achieve industrialization in the next few years, contributing significantly to China’s green and low-carbon development.

[1] China News Service. “Chinese Scientists Break Through Hydrogen-Carbon Co-Production Technology, Zero-Pollutant Hydrogen Production Supports Energy Transformation” (January 18, 2026). https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2026/01-18/10554059.shtml

[2] Hebei Daily/People’s Daily Online. “Thousand-Mile ‘Hydrogen Artery’ Links a New Green Chain” (January 9, 2026). http://he.people.com.cn/n2/2026/0109/c192235-41467655.html