PolyU and Cainiao Group sign Memorandum of Understanding to explore new developments in green logistics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Cainiao Group (Cainiao) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as well as its first collaborative research on Meta-Box, to leverage their respective strengths in scientific innovation and industry development. Through collaborative technology research and development, the partnership aims to advance green, efficient and intelligent logistics solutions.

The signing ceremony took place on the PolyU campus. Witnessed by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Prof. WEN Chih-Yung, Head of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE), Mr NIU Zhijing, Vice President of Cainiao Group, and Ms WANG Yi, International Affairs Director of Cainiao Public Affairs (South China), Dr XU Gangyan, Assistant Professor of AAE of PolyU and Mr Leung Kam Un, General Manager, Import-Supply Chain Management (Overseas)-Operations (Hong Kong) of Cainiao, signed the MoU.

PolyU’s Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Prof. Wang Zuankai expressed that as a loyal partner to the business community, PolyU has been committed to promoting scientific research and innovation by integrating valuable technologies with industries to address various technical challenges. The collaboration with Cainiao exemplifies this commitment. He believes by working together, PolyU and Cainiao can tackle technological and environmental challenges in the logistics industry, and contribute to creating a greener and more efficient logistics system in Hong Kong.

Cainiao’s Vice President Mr Niu Zhijing stated that since its establishment, Cainiao has been dedicated to green logistics efforts, “The future of express delivery lies not only in speed but in green solutions. A green future requires not only enthusiasm and attitude but also innovative research and solutions to achieve the unity of environmental and commercial sustainability.” Mr Niu added, “With the joint efforts of both teams, it is believed that we can combine complex logistics scenarios, achieve breakthroughs in digitisation and low-carbon circulating containers, and contribute to the construction of a sustainable and digitized logistics system for Hong Kong on a larger scale”.

The relevant pioneering research led by Dr Xu Gangyan of AAE, will focus on developing an intelligent and recyclable transport carrier “Meta-Box”. This technology will enhance transportation efficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainable development by connecting various modes of transportation within a new smart logistics system known as the Cyber-Physical Internet.

About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) aspires to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. The University provides the best holistic education to nurture socially responsible “leaders of tomorrow” who possess a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective. It also pursues impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research to address the world’s most pressing challenges. A robust culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the University, ensuring PolyU technologies are transformed into practical real-world applications. The University’s unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it international recognition, with PolyU consistently ranking among the top 100 universities worldwide. Based on this solid foundation, the University will continue to make positive contributions in collaboration with its strategic partners for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.

Cainiao Group

Cainiao, founded in 2013, is a leading global smart logistics company that focuses on industrialisation, globalisation and digitisation of logistics operations. While continuously innovating in the business field, Cainiao also integrates Environmental, Social and Governance measures into every aspect of the logistics value chain. Through initiatives such as green orders, recycling and transportation, Cainiao has pioneered a path towards digital decarbonisation in green logistics. Hong Kong, serving as an important logistics hub for Cainiao Group, is one of the three major aviation hubs (ehub) established globally. Cainiao’s consolidated delivery services have served over 2.6 million Hong Kong citizens in the past few years, with an average of one in every three Hong Kong residents having used Cainiao’s services. In the future, Cainiao will continue its solid operations in Hong Kong, promoting end-to-end green logistics and providing the people of Hong Kong with high-quality and low-carbon logistics services.

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