November 26, 2024 – A groundbreaking achievement has been made in the continuous production technology of coal-based polyolefin elastomer (POE), marking a significant leap forward in various aspects including resource utilization, energy security, economic value, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation.
In terms of resource utilization and energy security, this coal-based POE technology has opened up new avenues for the efficient use of China’s abundant coal resources. Given the country’s energy structure of “rich in coal, poor in oil, and scarce in gas,” this technology converts coal through deep processing into high-end polyolefin materials, reducing dependence on petroleum and promoting diversification and stability in the energy mix. This process not only enhances the overall energy utilization efficiency of coal but also drives the optimization and upgrading of China’s energy and chemical industry.
Economically, the continuous production of coal-based POE injects new vitality into the chemical industry. As a high-performance thermoplastic elastomer, POE finds wide applications in automobiles, electronics, construction, and more. This technological breakthrough signifies China’s self-reliance in the field of high-end polyolefin materials, potentially breaking foreign technological monopolies and elevating its position in the global industrial chain. Moreover, the cost advantage of coal is expected to lower POE production costs, enhance market competitiveness, further stimulate demand, and create a virtuous cycle of industrial development.
Environmental protection and sustainability are also key highlights of coal-based POE technology. According to AsiaMB’s sources, the adoption of green processing techniques enables effective capture, utilization, or sequestration of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, reducing carbon emissions and aligning with the global trend towards low-carbon development. Furthermore, this technology can be integrated with clean coal utilization and comprehensive waste treatment processes, forming a resource recycling system that boosts resource utilization efficiency, minimizes waste emissions, and achieves a win-win situation for both economy and environmental protection.
Technological innovation and scientific progress are equally important aspects of coal-based POE technology. This technology involves complex chemical processes that intersect multiple disciplines, and by overcoming challenges in continuous production, it has accumulated valuable experience in coal chemical frontier technologies and cultivated professional research and engineering talents. Additionally, it has spurred innovation in upstream and downstream technologies, forming a technological innovation cluster centered around POE production and elevating the overall technological level of China’s coal chemical and polymer materials sectors.
In summary, the continuous production technology of coal-based POE not only validates the feasibility of coal-based high-carbon α-olefins in the production of high-end polyolefin copolymers but also enhances the economic benefits of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis route for high-carbon α-olefins. Leveraging the raw material advantages of state-owned energy groups, this technology will drive the differentiation and high-end development of the groups’ polyolefin products, further enhancing market competitiveness and contributing to the localization of POE.