Innovations in Sustainability Showcased at Hongkou Science Festival 2025

From bacteria-based plastics to drone soccer, the Hongkou Technology Festival successfully hosted its main event.

On the afternoon of May 28, 2025, the main event of the Hongkou Technology Festival—titled “Technological Innovation for a Green Future”—kicked off at Peace Park. This event was co-sponsored by the Hongkou District Science and Technology Association, the District Science and Economic Committee, the District Education Bureau, the District Ecological Environment Bureau, the District Data Bureau, and the Jiaxing Road Street Party Working Committee and Office. It brought together high-quality resources from research institutions, technology companies, and science popularization platforms, allowing citizens to experience the innovative achievements of technology and green low-carbon integration through interactive experiences and science exhibitions.

The technology fair centered around the theme “Technological Innovation for a Green Future” and featured six exhibition areas: “New Trends in Technology,” “New Energy Technologies,” “New Explorations in Technology,” “Cultivating Young Innovators,” “New Empowerment through Technology,” and “New Knowledge in Science Popularization.” These areas comprehensively showcased Hongkou District’s explorations in green technology, digital services, and youth science innovation.

By using public transportation, attendees could exchange benefits, promoting a green low-carbon lifestyle that not only sets trends but also creates value. At the carbon benefits section of the “Citizen Cloud” app, residents could open personal carbon accounts to record low-carbon behaviors, such as public transit usage. The system automatically calculates emission reductions and converts them into carbon credits, which can be redeemed for various virtual benefits and physical goods. This initiative ensures that living green not only generates environmental value but also provides tangible rewards. Currently, the carbon benefits management platform is in a trial phase, with an official launch expected in June.

In the “New Explorations in Technology” section, the Shanghai Tiangong Kaiwu Innovation Incubation Center, created by Beikexin Group in collaboration with leading synthetic biotechnology firm Blue Crystal Microbiology, showcased its latest advancements in “bacteria-based plastics.” Visitors were amazed, with one attendee exclaiming, “Is this really made from bacteria? It’s incredible!” This technology uses engineered bacteria to ferment and produce biodegradable materials, demonstrating the application of green technology throughout the product lifecycle. Additionally, Shanghai Jahwa, a century-old company, presented its achievements in integrating sustainable concepts into the entire lifecycle of products through structured packaging, eco-friendly material substitutions, and resource recycling.

“Push the throttle with your left hand and take off!” In the “Cultivating Young Innovators” section, activities like drone soccer and robot battles attracted many children. “A suspect stole a lunchbox; can you find their fingerprint among many?” On another side, educational institutions like Dashi Education and Xingyu Education set up scientific challenge games that encouraged children’s innovative thinking through programming and physics practice, making learning enjoyable.

The State Grid Shanghai Power Research Institute took charge of the “New Energy Technologies” section, introducing the “Electric Doctor—Electricity Expert Volunteer Service Project.” This initiative developed educational tools like superconducting magnetic levitation experiments and hand-cranked generators, enabling citizens to understand power storage and superconducting cable technologies through immersive experiences. This approach not only enhances knowledge of safe electricity use, energy conservation, turning off lights, and green travel but also fosters youth interest in electrical science.

The community academy of Jiaxing Road Street actively implements the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s response to local garbage sorting volunteers, focusing on the new trend of waste classification and nurturing the “Little Low-Carbon Lifestyle” science popularization brand. Their exhibition featured an eco-friendly micro-exhibition designed by young environmental artists and offered sustainable art workshop activities, encouraging citizens to participate in creating art from waste materials to raise awareness about low-carbon living.

Furthermore, in the “New Empowerment through Technology” and “New Knowledge in Science Popularization” sections, brands like Lei Yunsang showcased applications of health technology, while the National Digital Publishing Base collaborated with the Shanghai Carbon Secret Museum to present a fusion of technology and art, sowing seeds of science popularization.

Some exhibits will also tour the Jiaxing Road Street Cultural Activity Center and the Shanghai Science Energy Display Hall. As the event coincides with the “National Science Workers Day” on May 30, the district’s science association showcased videos highlighting the efforts of Hongkou’s scientists in pursuing research excellence. Young scientists, committed to technological independence and self-reliance, contribute to high-quality development. The event also launched the third “Little Science Popularization Instructor Competition,” promoting green concepts. Technology volunteer Sun Xiao delivered a speech titled “Green Makes Life Better,” encouraging citizens to engage in emission reduction through the “Carbon Benefits” platform.

In recent years, Hongkou District has actively positioned itself in the new arena of green low-carbon services, achieving innovative breakthroughs in carbon markets, green shipping, and finance through a dual-drive approach of “industrial green low-carbonization” and “green low-carbon industrialization.” The promotional video “Hongke Green Movement Line” vividly illustrates the new landscape of technological and green integrated development. This year’s technology festival will host over 190 events, including academic lectures and artificial intelligence competitions, aiming to create a city identity centered on “Science Popularization for the People.” In the future, Hongkou will continue to promote low-carbon transformation through technological innovation, contributing to the development of the North Bund Green Practice Area.