BEIJING, Aug. 28 -- China has publicized a catalogue of key cutting-edge materials in an effort to promote the development of the larger new materials sector and forge new growth engines, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Monday.

The catalogue includes metamaterials, superconducting materials, advanced 3D printing materials and another 12 types of cutting-edge new materials, according to the ministry.

The new materials industry is a basic and strategic industry, and it is the cornerstone of and forerunner in the future development of high-tech industries, the ministry said, noting that cutting-edge materials represent the direction and trend of development in the new materials industry.

The catalogue was compiled by the ministry and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and it focuses on cutting-edge materials for which research results have already been produced and that have the foundations for industrialization, the ministry said.