Inaugural Statement on the First Issue of <i>cScience</i>

The process industry has always been a cornerstone of human progress, providing the fundamental materials and energy to sustain economic development and technological innovation. However, industries that have enabled the evolution of modern civilization also face increasing scrutiny owing to their environmental impacts. The steel industry is a representative example. As one of the largest sectors within the process industry, the production of steel has long supported global infrastructure and manufacturing; however, it also accounts for a substantial share of global carbon emissions. This dual role of driving industrial advancement while exerting pressure on the environment illustrates the central challenge of our time: how to transform process industries through technological innovation to achieve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and ensure sustainable growth. In response to this significant challenge and the global call for “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals”, we are proud to announce the launch of cScience, an international journal dedicated to advancing the science and technology of the process industry in an era of carbon neutrality. The name cScience embodies both vision and mission. The letter “c” represents carbon, coating, cycle, catalysis, cleanliness, and cognitive AI—key themes that capture the technological frontiers essential for sustainable development, as shown in Figure 1. These dimensions reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the journal, spanning materials, chemistry, resources, energy, and environment, and highlight its commitment to driving innovations that connect fundamental discoveries with practical industrial solutions. By uniting these research areas, cScience provides a platform for groundbreaking science to converge with engineering practices, enabling the transformation of high-carbon industries into green, intelligent, and sustainable systems. Scope of cScience. Carbon neutrality strategies and technologies, which include low-carbon processes, advanced low-carbon materials, and pathways for decarbonizing the process industry. Surface engineering and coatings, with emphasis on durability, efficiency, and environmental compatibility. Circular economy and resource recycling, targeting waste minimization, sustainable resource cycles, and green manufacturing. Catalysis and reaction engineering for clean energy, green chemistry, and emissions reduction. Clean processes and environmental technologies, which address pollutant control, advanced separation, and eco-friendly industrial practices. Cognitive AI and smart manufacturing, which enable digital transformation, process optimization, and intelligent decision-making. In these directions, cScience aims to accelerate breakthroughs in reducing the environmental footprint of traditional industries while fostering new technological paradigms for the future. A distinguished international editorial board composed of leading experts across multiple disciplines has been established. Their collective expertise in process engineering, materials science, chemical technology, and environmental systems ensures rigorous, efficient, and constructive peer review. Drawing on diverse academic traditions and industrial experiences, the editorial team will safeguard the quality of publications and provide a global perspective on the most critical advances in the process industry. The journal is sponsored by the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), and published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Youke Publishing Co. Ltd. This partnership combines the USTB’s leadership in process and metallurgical engineering with Wiley’s global publishing excellence, ensuring that cScience becomes an influential platform for academic exchange, knowledge dissemination, and international collaboration. Ultimately, the success of cScience rests on the contributions of our authors, reviewers, editorial team, and readers. Authors provide original innovations that define the journal's content, reviewers and editors safeguard its standards, and readers shape its influence and reach. To all of you, we extend our deepest gratitude. With your engagement, we believe that cScience will grow into a top-tier international journal, a platform where science meets applications, and a driver of progress in building a low-carbon, intelligent, and sustainable future for the process industry and the world. Welcome to cScience—where carbon, creativity, and collaboration converge to shape a sustainable tomorrow. XinPing Mao: writing – original draft, writing – review and editing. The author declares no conflicts of interest. The author has nothing to report.