First Academician Innovation Institute Lands at Yihang, Empowering Green Low-Carbon Growth

On May 13, China's first "Academician Innovation Institute" for the green, low-carbon furniture industry was unveiled in Hangzhou. Attendees at the unveiling included Chinese Academy of Engineering academics Li Jian, former president of Northeast Forestry University, and Wu Yiqiang, president of Central South University of Forestry and Technology; Shen Xi, president of Zhejiang A&F University; Ni Liangzheng, Chairman and General Manager of Yihang; as well as experts and professors from the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Southwest Forestry University, Beijing Forestry University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Anhui Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, and Zhejiang A&F University.

The institute, established with 50 million RMB in funding from Yihang, is led by Academicians Li Jian and Wu Yiqiang. Their teams will focus on the global furniture industry's new demands, materials, technologies, and processes, conducting innovative research to provide forward-looking momentum for the industry and jointly advance the furniture sector's green, low-carbon, and sustainable development. Its main directions and research areas include: researching new materials, technologies, processes, and products and applying them to the industry's development; connecting upstream and downstream industry-chain resources, advocating a green alliance, and driving the industry forward; publishing the Green Low-Carbon Development Report for the Furniture Industry; and serving as the industry's development brain.

The furniture industry is a pillar of people's livelihood in China and a vital part of the country's economic and social development. As early as 2006, China's furniture output value leapt to first place in the world. In 2022, China's furniture manufacturers above designated size recorded operating revenue of 762.41 billion RMB and total profits of 47.12 billion RMB, playing an important role in the world's furniture industry and trade. With society's continued development, the deep integration of the global economy, and the steady upgrade of consumer spending, green and low-carbon development has become a key issue for the future of Chinese furniture. It spans economic development, the ecological environment, social responsibility, new materials, and furniture recycling — requiring experts, scholars, and companies from every field to join forces in green, low-carbon furniture research, pooling resources and complementing strengths to blaze a high-quality, sustainable path forward.

To meet the "dual carbon" goals, Yihang — a leading Chinese office furniture company guided by the mission "everything for healthy work" — has actively embraced green, low-carbon development. From R&D to manufacturing, green principles run through every part of its operations. Building on in-house research, Yihang has intensified cooperation with leading designers and design firms at home and abroad. It has established R&D centers in Berlin, Germany, and Los Angeles, USA, and jointly founded research centers with universities including Zhejiang University and Nanjing Forestry University, conducting research on user behavior, color, materials, and technology — exploring and refining healthy, eco-friendly, comfortable, and intelligent office space solutions.

In manufacturing, Yihang innovatively applies its 7′Plus waterborne finishing technology to protect user health and cut air pollution. It was first to introduce 3D laser seamless edge-banding technology, breaking with traditional processes to achieve a permanent, seamless bond between edge band and panel and significantly improving the product's environmental performance. Together with Homag (Jintian Homag), Zhanchen Coatings, and Covestro, it launched the Asia-Pacific's first waterborne UV coating line, reducing emissions while improving the product's feel and practicality — taking solid steps on the road to green, low-carbon development.

Yihang Chairman Ni Liangzheng said that academics, experts, and professors are a precious national asset and an important source of high-quality development. The founding of this Academician Innovation Institute will bring benefits to China's furniture industry, boost its sustainable development, and help the country move from a manufacturing giant to a manufacturing power. It will also help Yihang meet the "dual carbon" requirements and accelerate its green transformation — delivering healthier, greener, more comfortable, and smarter integrated office and commercial solutions, and shouldering greater responsibility for harmony between humanity and nature.