SynCat@Beijing, the Synfuels China Laboratory for Fundamental Catalysis, is a joined project of Synfuels China Co. Ltd and Syngaschem BV. It is dedicated to the science and technology for clean fuels from coal based on molecular scale understanding. At SynCat@Beijing, a young international team works with state-of-the-art equipment in surface science, material science and catalysis on Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, the heart of Clean Coal-to-Liquids technology (CTL). Processes related to catalytic product work-up and to sustainable hydrogen production are being studied as well for improving the economics and the carbon footprint of CTL. SynCat@Beijing also develops a high-profile education profile on Surface science, Material Science, and Catalysis being accessible for students and scientists from all over China (and beyond), which is needed to tackle the scientific, technological and societal challenges of the future.