Cotecna Metals & Minerals Director Mark Houchin Visits China

In June 2026, Mark Houchin, Cotecna’s newly appointed Director of Metals & Minerals (M&M) made his first visit to China since assuming the role. Hosted by LI Wenjiang, Vice President for North Asia and accompanied by core members of the China M&M team, the trip offered an immersive look into one of the world’s most dynamic commodities markets, aimed at understanding frontline capabilities, aligning operational practices, and deepening collaborations with major strategic partners across the region.

Beginning in Shanghai, Mark met with top-tier trading clients to explore how Cotecna’s inspection and testing services could better support their evolving supply chain demands. He also had a working session with the Non-Ferrous Metals team at Cotecna’s North Asia & China headquarters, focusing on service consistency, technical alignment, responsiveness and efficiency, all essential drivers of competitiveness in today’s volatile market landscape.

In Beijing, Mark attended Coaltrans China 2026, a premier platform bringing together traders, producers, regulators, and end-users across the core value chain for market intelligence, regulatory insights, and high-impact networking. Mark connected with industry leaders and engaged with representatives from key partners across the sector. Conversations centered on quality standards, sustainability trends, and the growing importance of independent third-party TIC solutions, to ensure transparency and compliance in global trade.

The trip wrapped up with in-depth site visits to key operational facilities across northern China: in Tianjin, Mark toured the sample preparation facility to gain firsthand insight into workflow efficiency and quality control protocols; in Qingdao, he visited the newly relocated office and Huangdao laboratory, highlighting Cotecna’s ongoing enhancement of localized technical capacity; and in Rizhao, he met with our client, a major nickel ore trader and discussed new avenues to advance collaborations.

Mark’s one-week China trip, as part of his global visit, reflects Cotecna’s integrated global strategy for the Metals & Minerals sector. By connecting directly with clients along with the management, business, and technical teams in China, a hub for both M&M imports and processing, the visit underscored the value of agility, technical precision, and trusted partnerships in serving complex commodity flows. Our labs and field teams are well-positioned to support not only domestic demand but also international clients managing China-based supply chains. with continued investment in people, processes, and accreditation, we will strengthen Cotecna’s role as a preferred partner in this vital region.

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.