China Launches Global Dairy Data Centers at Industry Conference
The World Dairy Industry Conference 2026 was held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, starting on August 1st. Organized by Yili Group, the event brought together international dairy association leaders, academics, and executives to discuss the role of technological innovation in creating a more sustainable dairy ecosystem.
During the opening ceremony, the National Dairy Technology Innovation Center of China (NTICD) announced the top 10 technological innovations of 2026. These include advancements in dairy cow breeding, feed reduction and replacement technologies, probiotic strains for human milk research, large-scale lactoferrin production, end-to-end intelligent inspection systems, and high-quality packaging recycling solutions.
The ceremony also marked the official launch of the China Intelligent Dairy Data Center (Global) and the Global High-Quality Dairy Data Factory. These new structures aim to organize and expand the use of data in the dairy industry on an international scale.
Additionally, Hohhot was recognized as the World Dairy Capital by the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST). Dr. Pavinee Chinachoti, executive president of IUFoST, awarded the city with a commemorative plaque, acknowledging its ongoing efforts in advancing the dairy industry and aiming to inspire global companies to promote healthy eating supported by technological leadership.
Pan Gang, president and CEO of Yili Group, spoke at the opening under the theme "Shared Value, Mutual Harmony, Building a New Global Dairy Ecosystem." He addressed challenges such as rapid technological evolution, supply chain restructuring, climate change, and shifting consumer demands. Pan Gang emphasized the mission of "a glass of milk" extends beyond nutrition to achieving comprehensive global health, requiring collective efforts from industry players.
Pan Gang likened innovation to "an entire continent," highlighting Yili Group's approach to consolidating global dairy knowledge into a joint network. He described digital transformation as "a symphony involving the entire chain," and noted the company's ongoing work on vertical and horizontal integration to develop an intelligent digital ecosystem encompassing the entire production chain. He concluded by inviting global partners to join this journey, focusing on strengthening human health and well-being worldwide.
