With Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (ZZULI) as the initiator, and organizations, including the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Henan Province, Department of Ecology and Environment of Henan Province, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Zhengzhou University, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Central Plains Environment Protection Co., Ltd., and Zhengzhou Sewage Purification Co., Ltd., as the collaborators, the Collaborative Innovation Center of Environmental Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration, Henan Province (hereinafter referred to as the "Center") was established in 2013 upon approval by the Education Department of Henan Province (JBKJ [2013] No. 188).

Since its establishment, the Center, under the vigorous support of the Education Department of Henan Province and the Department of Finance of Henan Province as well as the concerted efforts of the initiator and the collaborators, has responded to the major national strategic requirements for the ecological conservation of the Yellow River Basin. Guided by the major task requirements for the environmental pollution control and ecological restoration that bears on the economy, people's livelihood and social development of Henan, and centering on the reform of systems and mechanisms, the Center strives to further pool talents, scientific research platforms, and other core elements, and bolster the innovation capability featuring integrated talents, disciplines, and scientific research. It has made an array of theoretical and technological breakthroughs in such fields as harmless and resourceful utilization of solid wastes, sewage treatment and ecological restoration, safety and restoration of soil ecology and environment, and prevention and control of atmospheric pollution, yielded a host of landmark achievements through industry-academia-research collaboration, and elevated the discipline construction to new heights, with remarkable results in team building, talent cultivation, and social services. 12 industry-academia-research achievements of the Center, includingKey Technologies and Applications of Low-consumption and High-efficiency Nitrogen Removal forLow C/N Wastewater, have received Henan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award and Henan Provincial Patent Award. The Center has published several theoretical innovation outcomes in top international academic journals, and multiple ESI hot papers and highly cited papers. Additionally, the Center has presided over and completed more than 20 national scientific research projects and special projects of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, more than 50 provincial and ministerial projects, and authorized over 30 invention patents. It has participated in the compilation of the national standardControl Standards of Pollutants in Sludge for Agricultural Use (GB 4284-2018)and a number of local standards, which have been released and implemented. The Center has made groundbreaking technological breakthroughs in resourceful utilization of solid wastes, safety and restoration of soil ecology and environment, prevention and control of atmospheric pollution, water pollution treatment and ecological restoration, and other domains. It seeks to spare no efforts to render substantial support for the all-round implementation of major environmental protection projects including "Blue Skies, Lucid Waters, and Clean Villages" and "Amazing Henan", as well as the ecological civilization construction and socio-economic development of Henan.