November 19, 2024 – Sinopec has reached a landmark achievement in the field of bio-based materials with the official launch of China’s first domestically produced bio-based polyolefin. This not only signifies a significant breakthrough in China’s research and development of bio-based materials but also lays a solid foundation for promoting green and low-carbon development. Sinopec has forged a unique technological path in exploring bio-based polyolefins.
Unlike some foreign chemical plants that rely on traditional fossil feedstocks, Sinopec has taken a different approach by starting with renewable biomass materials such as waste cooking oil and used palm oil. Through a series of complex and refined processing steps, the company successfully produces light hydrocarbons smaller than C4, light oil, and unconverted oil. Notably, the unconverted oil is not wasted but is cleverly recycled, further enhancing resource utilization efficiency. The light hydrocarbons are then separated to obtain bio-based propane, a key raw material for producing bio-based polyolefin products.
According to industry sources, Zhongyuan Sinopec, the implementation site of this innovative project, has been working tirelessly since initiating the bio-based polyolefin project in October 2023. This year’s September marked the successful production of the first domestic batch of bio-based polyolefin, with an initial output of 2,500 tons. The product 13 customers for trial use, and multiple customers have expressed strong purchase intentions after testing. Indeed, one customer has already successfully placed the first order, marking a commercial breakthrough for bio-based polyethylene products. This achievement not only demonstrates Sinopec’s robust research and development capabilities in the bio-based materials sector but also provides powerful technological support for global efforts to combat climate change.