The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

At the 2025 World Dairy Summit, Yili Group secured five nominations and two wins at the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards, marking its fourth consecutive year of recognition.

FoodBev Media spoke with Liu Chunxi, senior executive president of Yili Group, about the company’s recent achievements, its sustainability goals and how Yili is advancing nutrition and collaboration across the global dairy industry.

Yili has won the IDF Dairy Innovation Award for four consecutive years and this time got the most nominations globally with five. Could you elaborate on the core strengths behind this achievement?

We are honoured that judges at the World Dairy Summit once again recognised Yili’s performance in dairy innovation by presenting us with the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards. Our core strengths are primarily reflected in the following four aspects.

First, a solid foundation in quality. We continuously dedicate ourselves to premium milk sources. Today, Chinese raw milk has reached world-leading levels in terms of core indicators such as protein, fat, somatic cell count and total bacterial count. Chinese dairy enterprises are capable of providing global consumers with the highest quality products, thereby securing the quality of our innovative offerings.

Second, a global innovation network. With 15 innovation centres worldwide, Yili conducts R&D for diverse consumer groups and usage scenarios across all life stages, ensuring more forward-looking and diversified innovations.

Third, green and sustainable innovation practices. Yili integrates sustainability into the whole process of product R&D and production. By leveraging clean energy, enhancing efficiency and pioneering green packaging, we are spurring an eco-transformation across our entire supply chain. We are committed to building a carbon-neutral value chain by 2050.

Finally, international cooperation and influence. Through active participation in major international conferences such as the World Dairy Summit and the Global Dairy Congress, we not only facilitate global dialogue for China’s dairy industry but also present our innovative products and strength to the world. This first-hand exposure has been a key factor in boosting our international recognition.

Congratulations to Yili on winning two IDF Dairy Innovation Awards this year, marking the fourth consecutive year of recognition. Could you introduce the highlights of the two award-winning products?

We are grateful for the jury’ recognition of Yili’s commitment to innovation. The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are among the most influential and authoritative dairy honors, representing the highest achievements in the industry each year.

This year, Yili’s Xinhuo Bone Energy Formula Milk Powder received the Innovation in Dairy Products for Human Nutrition award. Centred on its core concept of 'Bone-Joint-Muscle Three-in-One + Oriental Nutritional Therapy,' this product integrates protein, colostrum basic protein, calcium, vitamins, sodium hyaluronate, Eucommia leaf powder and Polygonatum root powder to effectively support bone, joint and muscle health.

Ambpomial’s 'For a Bluer Ocean' Limited-Edition Eco-Packaging received the Innovation in Packaging and Transparency for Dairy Products award. This product introduces the world’s first de-inkable high-barrier label, combined with a recyclable PET bottle, plant-based biodegradable spacers and ocean-friendly paper cartons, offering a systematic green packaging solution.

These awards further reinforce Yili’s leading position in high-quality, innovative and sustainable development. Moving forward, Yili will stay consumer-oriented and make full use of our global innovation resources to offer more premium products that support health across all life stages.

During this year’s World Dairy Summit, you attended the Task Force meeting on the 'Dairy Sustainable Development Paris Declaration'. Could you share your role within the working group and elaborate on Yili’s specific initiatives in sustainable development?

As we advance into the second half of 2025, a complex global environment is intensifying pressures on the already off-track UN SDGs, with setbacks being witnessed in some sectors. The profound effects of climate change on most parts of the world are undeniable.

During last year’s World Dairy Summit, I was invited to attend the inaugural Dairy Leaders Forum in Sustainability and, together with the IDF, the FAO and global peers, signed the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability. This year, I was once again honoured to attend the IDF Task Force meeting on this Declaration to further accelerate its implementation.

First, Yili embeds sustainability into our entire production and operations through tangible actions. To date, we have gained China’s national-level 'green factory' certification for 43 of our plants and 'water-saving enterprise' certification for 34. Our Net-Zero Carbon Alliance has grown to 154 members, with 90% completing low-carbon transition. These concerted efforts advance us toward our goal of building a carbon-neutral value chain by 2050. Under Yili’s leadership, the top five dairy companies in China have now all committed to carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.

Second, Yili continues to deepen the green transformation of our supply chain and actively leverages our influence to drive progress among suppliers. In 2024, we joined the International Sustainability Standards Board system, implementing a full life-cycle sustainability mechanism for suppliers that mandates environmental compliance and ensures employee well-being and security. We also set a goal to achieve zero-deforestation in our sourcing by 2030.

This year marks the strategic planning year for Yili’s new five-year Sustainability Strategy. Guided by our vision to “be the most trusted global healthy food provider,” Yili will continue to actively fulfill the commitments of the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability by accelerating our green transition, and driving coordinated sustainable development across the entire value chain.

Yili representative Yun Zhanyou has been re-elected to the IDF Board. What significance do you think Yili's international tenure holds for boosting China's contributions to the global dairy industry in terms of innovation and sustainability?

In October 2023, upon nomination by the China Dairy Industry Association, Yun Zhanyou, representing Yili Group, was elected as a member of the IDF Board of Directors at the board meeting held in Chicago.

During Yun’s first term on the board, Yili actively engaged in its research, decision-making and development of major global dairy policies, fostering industry dialogue and collaboration while contributing to shared success and sustainable development.

Yun’s re-election makers a deeper engagement of China’s dairy sector, represented by Yili, and other emerging economies in the global dairy governance system. This also enables Yili to consistently integrate the advanced expertise and technological achievements of Chinese dairy companies into international decision-making and cooperation platforms, driving shared advancements in quality, technology and green development for the global industry.

Looking ahead, we will deepen collaboration with global partners by sharing our practices in such areas as dairy innovation and R&D, digital transformation and sustainable development, so as to ensure a high-quality future of the global dairy industry.

Yili's expert Ignatius Szeto delivered a keynote speech on 'Dairy’s Role in Elderly'. How does Yili's product innovation respond to the needs of the aging population?

China’s aging population is fueling the rise of the silver economy. A market of more than 280 million people aged 60 and above is driving rapid expansion in the functional nutrition sector.

At the summit, Yili showcased a range of nutritional innovations designed for the aging population. A standout example is Yili Shuhua Glucosamine High-Calcium Milk – a pioneering product in China that uniquely blends four essential nutrients: glucosamine, milk calcium, vitamin D and premium milk protein.

Guided by our consumer-centric philosophy, Yili will continue to expand the portfolio of health and nutrition products for middle-aged and elderly consumers. Through continuous innovation, we are dedicated to delivering precise nutrition solutions for individuals across all life stages.