October 25, 2024 – China’s Polyolefin Industry Embarks on a Technological Revolution
China’s polyolefin industry, a pivotal branch of the new material industry, is undergoing a significant transformation. Polyolefin products not only occupy a substantial market share but also play an irreplaceable role across various sectors. Recently, the nation has witnessed several breakthroughs in polyolefin technology, propelling the upgrading of China’s new material industry.
In 2024, the polyolefin technology sector in China has been reporting a series of triumphs. On August 2, PetroChina launched its new 100,000-ton/year POE and other high-end polyolefin projects, leveraging the company’s proprietary technology to replace imported high-end new materials such as POE, POP, and ethylene-propylene rubber. This marks a solid step forward for China in the realm of high-end polyolefins. Earlier, the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences made key progress in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis technology for olefin production, significantly enhancing olefin yields through innovative catalysts. This breakthrough holds immense significance for reducing China’s external dependence on α-olefins.
According to Color Masterbatch Industry News, in May, Dushanzi Petrochemical successfully developed a new series of polyolefin elastomers, achieving a domestic breakthrough in gas-phase production technology for polyolefin elastomers. The product performance matches that of similar products in the market. Meanwhile, Sinopec Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry also shared good news, with its team developing polyolefin elastomers and complete sets of technology with independent intellectual property rights. This innovative achievement has been applied in Maoming Petrochemical and Zhenhai Refining and Chemical.
Furthermore, Dongming Zhongyou Fuel and Petrochemical Co., Ltd.’s “5,000-ton/year ethylene-based polyolefin elastomer pilot project” was registered in April this year, marking Dongming Petrochemical’s official entry into the E-POE industry. This technology is expected to achieve import substitution and even surpass foreign technologies. In parallel, the academic community has also brought positive news, with the team led by Academician Tang Yong and Researcher Gao Yanshan making breakthroughs in the synthesis of recyclable polyolefin materials, opening up new paths for the sustainable development of China’s polyolefin materials.
Looking ahead, China’s polyolefin technology research and development will focus on four key areas: high-end polyolefin technology, catalyst and polymerization process innovation, import substitution, and environmental protection and recycling. Despite current challenges such as the selection of high-end catalysts, the continuous advancement and innovation in technology are expected to overcome these obstacles one by one. China’s polyolefin industry is forging ahead with a high spirit, striving towards higher quality and more sustainable development goals.