The “International Symposium on Food-Grade CO₂ Production Technology and Downstream Product Development,” organized by the Carbon Dioxide Professional Committee of the China Gas Association and hosted by Hangzhou Kuai Kai High-Efficiency Energy-Saving New Technology Co., Ltd., was successfully held in Hangzhou from December 18 to 20, 2005.

  Nearly 200 experts and delegates attended the event, representing domestic and international industries such as nitrogen fertilizers, petroleum, brewing, and industrial gases, as well as relevant research institutions and universities. The conference heard presentations from the Secretary-General of the CO₂ Specialized Committee and others regarding the implementation rules for production licenses and explanations of relevant standards; a presentation from The Coca-Cola Company on the current applications and future prospects of food-grade CO₂ in carbonated beverages; Kuaikai Company presented on the recovery and purification technologies for food-grade CO₂ as a food additive, its recycling and utilization in the petrochemical, nitrogen fertilizer, and brewing industries, as well as the production technology for food-grade CO₂ meeting international quality standards; and professors from research institutions such as East China University of Science and Technology delivered forward-looking academic reports on hot topics and key issues of general concern to the delegates, such as the development and utilization of CO₂ downstream products.

  Through the exchanges and discussions at this conference, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the current status and future prospects of the CO₂ industry, relevant national industrial policies, and the development and utilization of downstream products. This provided a reference for enterprises in making decisions regarding CO₂ utilization, established a platform for further cooperation among enterprises, and played a positive role in promoting the development of the carbon dioxide industry. The conference was a resounding success, achieving its intended outcomes. It served as a concrete measure to implement the Central Committee’s Scientific Outlook on Development, promote a circular economy, foster new growth drivers and models, and build a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly society.