From Theory to Practice: Highlights from the 4th Welch Materials Cup Practical Final
The practical stage of the 4th Welch Materials Cup Chromatography Competition was held on August 18–19, 2026, at Welch Materials’ Nanjing facility in Jiangsu, China. After a series of highly competitive online examinations, 12 competitors gathered in Nanjing to take on the competition’s final and most challenging stage: a hands-on test of chromatographic skills and practical problem-solving.
A Diverse Field of Finalists
This year’s competition attracted over 2,400 chromatography analysts and university students from across China, and marked a significant milestone with the introduction of a university student category, expanding the event’s reach beyond working professionals and enabling students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world laboratory challenges and compete alongside seasoned industry professionals.
The 12 finalists comprised 7 Professional Group qualifiers (ranking from 3rd to 43rd in the written examination), 4 University Group qualifiers (ranking from 1st to 8th), and 1 representative from Nanjing Jiangbei New Material Science and Technology Park, where the Welch Materials Nanjing facility is located.
Together, these contestants represented a diverse group of chromatography practitioners and aspiring young scientists, all ready to put their knowledge into practice.
Warm Welcome and Pre-Competition Preparation
On August 18, Lu Xiaowei, Executive Deputy General Manager at Welch Materials, and Yang Hui, Vice General Manager, led the company’s team in welcoming the finalists who had traveled from different parts of China to participate in the final. The welcome session provided an opportunity for the contestants to introduce themselves, exchange experiences, and get to know their fellow competitors.
Following the welcome, an intensive pre-competition training session was led by external expert Mr. Jiang alongside Wang Zhuchao, Application Development Supervisor at Welch Materials. The training focused on the fundamentals of liquid chromatography method development and Welch's column selection strategies, reinforcing key theoretical principles before the hands-on assessment.
After the training session, Luan Jianming, Manager of the Separation and Purification Department at Welch Materials, led the contestants on a tour of the facility. The competitors visited the technical center and the production workshops, gaining direct insight into the development and manufacturing process behind chromatographic columns and packing materials. The visit also provided an opportunity for technical discussions between the contestants and Welch Materials’ experts on practical topics such as column flushing, maintenance, and parameter optimization.
The day concluded with an official welcome dinner, where participants and Welch staff continued their exchanges in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
The Contest: Practical Method Development Challenge
On August 19, the practical competition commenced. Contestants in both categories drew their examination topics separately. Compared with the earlier written examinations, the practical competition placed greater emphasis on chromatographic method development and required contestants to demonstrate both their ability in developing a method and their laboratory operating discipline.
Within limited time, contestants were required to complete an entire analytical workflow, including analyzing target structure, designing an appropriate experimental method, conduct the experiment, interpreting the experimental results, and preparing the final analytical report.
A panel of senior Welch Materials judges evaluated performance across three primary dimensions: operational compliance, data accuracy, and method validity. In the end, Mr. Zhou from a biotechnology company in Suzhou won first place in the Professional Group and Mr. Sun from Anhui Medical University won first place in the University Group. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their outstanding performance!
From Competition to Connection
Following the intense competition, Welch Materials arranged a post-competition visit to Niushou Mountain in Nanjing, giving contestants an opportunity to relax and experience the cultural heritage of Nanjing, a historic city in eastern China with a rich history spanning many centuries.
The excursion also provided a more informal setting for contestants and industry professionals to continue their conversations, build friendships, and exchange experiences outside the laboratory.
Reflections from the Contestants
Beyond the scores and rankings, the competition also provided a platform for personal growth and mutual learning. Miss Zhong, one of the contestants of the University Group, traveled from Sichuan to Nanjing to participate in the contest, shared her reflection after the event.
“Bearing a learning mindset, I approached Welch Materials with a nervous heart. But the moment I stepped into the facility, the visual impact of the environment and equipment, along with the warm hospitality of every Welch staff member, put me at ease. I felt genuinely valued and well taken care of. Every Welch staff member was so warm—the atmosphere was fantastic!”
Mr. Sun, first-place winner of the University Group, described his feeling during the competition as “both excited and nervous.”
“Participating in the Welch Chromatography Cup was, for me, more of an experience from ‘knowing how to run experiments’ to ‘truly understanding method development.’… When the final resolution reached my expectations, I felt not only the relief of completing the task but also a sense of accomplishment from solving problems through critical thinking. I will carry this rigor and enthusiasm forward as I continue to explore the field of chromatographic analysis.”
Looking Ahead
The 4th Welch Materials Cup has come to an end, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to all participants from past editions and to the wider audience who have continued to follow the event. The competition would not have been possible without the generous support of chromatography peers from across China and the world.
In the future, Welch Materials will continue to refine the competition framework, introducing more innovative technologies and real‑world scenarios that align with industry needs, and building a high-quality platform for analytical talents to showcase their skills and exchange ideas.
We look forward to welcoming everyone for the 5th Welch Materials Cup Chromatography Competition and boosting the event to the greater world next year!
