News

CUMT Delegation Visits RCRE to Explore Green Technologies

On 15 July 2026, a delegation of faculty and graduate students from the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) visited the RCRE for an academic exchange. Prof. Charles Xu, Director of RCRE, opened the session by introducing the Centre’s key research directions, academic activities, and his ongoing projects in the field of biorefinery. To showcase RCRE's diverse scientific contributions, three researchers from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) presented their latest work: Dr Danning Li (Research Assistant Professor) discussed sustainable paving materials and technologies. Dr Huichuan Zhuang (Research Assistant Professor) shared insights on urban biorefinery for woody waste management. Dr Junli Liu (Postdoctoral Fellow) presented cutting-edge and low-carbon concrete 3D printing technologies. Following the presentations, the delegation was taken on a guided tour of RCRE's facilities. The tour featured hands-on insights into the Transport and Highway Engineering Laboratory, the Bioenergy Research Laboratory, and the Concrete Printing Laboratory, paving the way for future academic exchange.  

New Directorship Appointment for RCRE

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Charles Chunbao XU as Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) and Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with effect from 2 July 2026.  Joining PolyU following a global search, Prof. Xu is an internationally renowned scholar in advanced biorefinery and sustainable resource engineering.  With more than 20 years of research experience, he has published over 400 journal papers, holds 12 international patents and is recognised for his pioneering work in converting biomass and organic wastes into sustainable fuels, green chemicals and biopolymer materials.  He is a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Institute of Canada. We welcome Prof. Xu to the PolyU family.  We are confident that, under his leadership, RCRE will continue to strengthen its research excellence and make significant contributions to waste recycling and carbon neutrality.          

AMSIGE-1 Conference Advances Green Engineering Research

The 1st International Conference on Advanced Materials, Surfaces and Interfaces for Green Engineering (AMSIGE‑1) was successfully held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from 8 to10 May 2026. The conference was organised by PolyU’s School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), Southeast University, and the Jiangsu–Hong Kong–Macao University Cooperation Alliance (JHMUA), with co-organisation by the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), and the ESG Research and Sustainable Fashion Hub. The event brought together more than 90 participants from eight countries and regions, including scholars, academics, industry experts, and research students. It featured 17 keynote speeches, 24 invited presentations, and 27 poster presentations, with poster presenters competing for awards. The conference focused on three major themes: biology, medical, and healthcare green engineering; textile, construction, and transportation green engineering; and sustainable energy and other green engineering. Collectively, these themes highlighted interdisciplinary advances in materials, surfaces, and interfaces that contribute to sustainable development and innovation.   More details can be found here: https://esg-sft.com/en/project/cross-regional-exchange-of-knowledge-and-expertise-the-1st-international-conference-on-advanced-materials-surfaces-and-interfaces-for-green-engineering-amsige-1/  

PAIR Researchers’ Corner – RCRE Session

RCRE hosted its first Researchers’ Corner on 8 May 2026. During the session, Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of RCRE, outlined the centre’s mission, research focus, recent achievements, and funding schemes. Participants also shared their own research interests and explored potential opportunities for collaboration. The session was well-received by all attendees.          

RCRE Lectures for PAIR Advanced Education Programme

The RCRE successfully hosted two lectures for the PAIR Advanced Education Programme on 30 April and 7 May 2026. Centred on the theme “Resources Engineering for Carbon Neutrality”, each lecture engaged approximately 35 on-site participants and more than 200 attendees via online platform. The first lecture, held on 30 April, featured presentations by Prof. POON Chi-sun (Director of RCRE), Prof. ZHANG Shipeng (Associate Director), and Prof. LENG Zhen (Associate Director). Their presentations explored the recycling of concrete waste through accelerated carbonation, 3D concrete printing using low-carbon materials, and advanced technologies for turning waste into sustainable road paving materials. The subsequent lecture on 7 May was delivered by Prof. HSU Shu-chien (RCRE Member), Prof. LEU Shao-yuan (Management Committee Member) and Prof. WANG Yuhong (RCRE Member). The topics included life cycle assessment and cost analysis for sustainable concrete recycling, the development of urban biorefineries to convert waste into high-value bio-products, and nature-based solutions for urban development and renewal. In summary, these lectures offered participants significant insights into pioneering research and practical applications in resources engineering aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.      

RCRE Seminar - Optimisation of Green Concrete for Structural Applications: Recycled Aggregates and Low Carbon Materials

Prof. Miren Etxeberria from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya delivered a seminar on 17 March 2026. The seminar was titled “Optimisation of Green Concrete for Structural Applications: Recycled Aggregates and Low Carbon Materials.” It was jointly organized by the RCRE and the CEE of PolyU. Around 60 participants attended the seminar.        

RCRE Director, Associate Directors and Members Win Awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

Congratulations to the RCRE Director, two Associate Directors and three members for receiving a total of five awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland. These accolades include two Gold Medals, two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. The award-winning projects are listed below.  Gold Medal – “Green Energy-driven Electrochemical Upcycling of Urban Solid Wastes” by Prof. Shipeng ZHANG and Ir Prof. Chi-sun POON Gold Medal – “Dragonfly Vision: A Mini Camera for Instant 180° Imaging” by Prof. Xuming ZHANG Silver Medal – “Nanocarbon-coated Conductive Aggregates (NCCA) for Smart, Sustainable Asphalt Pavement” by Prof. Zhen LENG Silver Medal – “Safety-assured AI-driven Drone System for Cleaning Building Exteriors” by Prof. Weisong WEN Bronze Medal – “Sustainable Long-lasting Rewritable Textiles for On-demand Pattern Customisation” by Prof. Bingang XU To learn more about their impactful projects, please visit:  https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/knowledge-transfer/innovations-and-technologies/award-winning-innovations/geneva2026/

PolyU x BTRi Public Lecture - Ultra-High Performance Concrete: From Commercialization to Revolution

Dr VOO Yen Lei from Dura Technology Sdn Bhd delivered a lecture entitled “Ultra-High Performance Concrete: From Commercialization to Revolution” on 5 March 2026. The lecture was jointly organized by the RCRE and the CEE of PolyU, and the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), with support from the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI) and the HKIE Civil Division. The lecture attracted more than 80 participants.        

RCRE Seminar: Foam Concrete for Energy Absorbing Applications

Prof. David Lange from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign delivered a seminar entitled “Foam Concrete for Energy Absorbing Applications” on 28 January 2026. The seminar was jointly organized by the RCRE and the CEE of PolyU, the HKIE Civil Division and the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI). Over 90 participants joined the seminar.      

RCRE Showcases at the HKGIA Exhibition of 2025 HKAEE Information Sharing Seminar

RCRE participated in the HKGIA exhibition of the 2025 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) Information Sharing Seminar, where they showcased their innovative technology in sustainable high-strength lightweight concrete. The exhibition took place at the Hong Kong Productivity Council on 19 January 2026.