Interview Report in Fushun Daily LiZhaopeng, V.P of Longi: Illuminating the Future of the Magnetic Equipment Industry with Innovation
Recently, Li Zhaopeng, Deputy General Manager of Shenyang Longi Mnaget Co., Ltd., was interviewed by Fushun Daily, sharing his journey of driving technological innovation in the magnetic equipment industry. By focusing on deep expertise in this field, he has led his team to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies such as high-efficiency magnetic separation and intelligent sorting, propelling China’s magnetic equipment industry forward. The interview, titled “Illuminating the Future of the Magnetic Equipment Industry with Innovation,” was published on Page 2 of Fushun Daily on November 20, 2025.
Here is the original text of the Fushun Daily interview:
Illuminating the Future of the Magnetic Equipment Industry with Innovation
At the R&D center of Longi Manget Co., Ltd., Li Zhaopeng is always on the move—busy discussing with team members or deeply analyzing experimental data. This scene is a daily snapshot of his 26-year journey of innovation in the magnetic equipment industry.
Over these 26 years, Li has risen from an ordinary technician to a leader in the field, overcoming challenges through relentless innovation and steering the magnetic equipment industry toward new horizons.
01 Targeting Market Pain Points: Innovation Breaks Industry Barriers
“R&D innovation must align closely with market demand.” This is Li Zhaopeng’s mantra and the principle he has adhered to throughout his career.
In the field of high-efficiency magnetic separation technology, Li and his team have focused on three key directions: large-scale equipment, intelligent systems, and green, high-efficiency environmental solutions. After over a decade of dedicated research, they have achieved a 3-5x increase in single-unit processing capacity, significantly improving mineral separation efficiency. Notably, their new technologies and equipment have breathed new life into previously unusable or hard-to-separate mineral resources, transforming waste into valuable assets and generating substantial economic benefits.
In terms of low-carbon and environmental performance, technological advancements have drastically reduced energy consumption, water usage, and tailings emissions per ton of ore processed. Today, Longi Electromagnetic holds over 100 patents in high-efficiency magnetic separation technology, dominates the global market share, and has established its magnetic separation products as internationally renowned brands—showcasing the strength of "Made in China, Innovated in China."
Beyond this, Li has led his team into the realm of high-precision sensor-based intelligent recognition and sorting. Faced with the industry’s challenges of high costs and low efficiency in separating precious and non-ferrous metals, they integrated cutting-edge technologies such as precision sensor recognition, big data analytics, AI deep learning algorithms, and intelligent image recognition into equipment development. Their relentless efforts culminated in smart sorting technologies that drastically reduce costs and improve efficiency. With 40+ patents in intelligent sorting, they have provided robust support for the industry’s intelligent transformation.
02 Building Innovation Platforms: Cultivating Talent for Growth
Li Zhaopeng understands that individual brilliance is but a spark, while teamwork is the torch that lights the way. Alongside technological R&D, he has prioritized innovation platforms and talent development as cornerstones of the company’s growth.
In 2019, he established a municipal-level model worker innovation studio, which was upgraded to a Liaoning Provincial Model Worker Innovation Studio in 2020. Today, this studio brings together over 40 R&D professionals spanning software development, sensors, mechanical and electrical automation, and more—forming a highly skilled, multidisciplinary innovation team.
Under Li’s leadership, the studio operates with clearly defined research directions, structured management protocols, and a fair evaluation system. Every team member’s innovative ideas are valued, and every contribution is recognized, fueling a culture of creativity.
To further invigorate innovation, Li has actively promoted industry-academia collaboration. Longi Electromagnetic has forged long-term partnerships with more than 10 universities, including Northeastern University, Liaoning Technical University, China University of Mining and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Lanzhou University. These collaborations have not only solved technical challenges but also attracted top talent, ensuring a steady pipeline of innovators for the company.
Today, Longi’s R&D team has expanded to over 300 members, forming the core competitive edge that keeps the company at the industry’s forefront.
03 Riding the Industry Wave: Seizing Future Opportunities
“Innovation cannot be confined to the present; we must look ahead, align with industry trends, and make strategic moves to stay ahead,” says Li, whose sharp industry insights underscore the importance of future-proofing development.
In recent years, Li has steered his team toward intelligent, unmanned equipment, capitalizing on the mining sector’s push for “lights-out factories.” A key focus is the fully unmanned intelligent laboratory analysis system, which Li describes as “the critical link in smart decision-making for mineral processing, enabling completely autonomous production lines.”
Li has also spearheaded international collaborations for his team, partnering with prestigious institutions such as China University of Mining and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa to conduct critical research on intelligent recognition and coordinated optimization control technologies for photoelectric sorting of non-ferrous metal ores.
This project falls under the key special program for intergovernmental international scientific and technological innovation cooperation within China’s National Key R&D Plan. After over five years of dedicated research, substantial technological advancements have been achieved, positioning it to fill a significant gap in the domestic industry.
Looking further ahead, Li recently facilitated a partnership between the company and Lanzhou University to develop intelligent acoustic detection instruments. This project leverages ultrasonic technology for real-time measurement of microscopic parameters in mineral slurries, paving the way for next-generation
