On July 18, 2024, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization at its third plenary session. This resolution has put forward more than 300 important reform measures, involving reforms related to institutions, mechanisms and systems. The resolution emphasizes that High-quality development is the primary task in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. In the part of promoting high-quality economic development, it mentions improving the policy and governance systems for promoting the development of future strategic industries such as new materials, as well as the mechanism for developing key industry chains such as advanced materials.
What are the Future New Materials Mentioned in this Resolution?
According to the Implementation Plan for the Innovation and Development of the Fine Chemical Industry (2024-2027) jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and eight other departments on July 2, it details the key tasks for the future development of chemical new materials, covering a comprehensive strategy from technological innovation to industrial upgrading. Regarding advanced materials related to polyurethane and other downstream key industry chains, they are as follows:
1. Promote the Extension of Traditional Industry Chains
Promote the extension of traditional industries with a focus on the deep integration and development of the industrial chain, create specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative product systems, increase product added value, and strengthen core competitiveness.
• Petrochemical: Focus on the utilization of olefins and aromatics, develop high-end polyolefins, engineering plastics, polyurethanes, specialty synthetic rubbers, high-performance fibers, functional films, specialty chemicals, high-performance adhesives, etc.
• Biochemical: Focus on building a biobased materials system based on non-grain biomass resources such as straw and crop residues, strengthen coupling with petrochemicals, coal chemicals, salt (mining) chemicals industries, develop bio-based chemicals such as lactic acid, 1,3-propanediol, acrylic acid, succinic acid, trans-Aconitic acid, furan, etc., bio-based polymers such as polylactic acid, polyurethane, polycarbonates, nylon, specialty rubbers, etc., to effectively supplement existing fossil-based materials.
2. Accelerate Breakthroughs in Key Product Development
Around the needs of new energy, new materials, biotechnology, industrial machinery, medical equipment, etc., conduct collaborative innovation via methods such as competition mechanism, to enhance the supply capability of key products in the areas of high-end polyolefins, synthetic resins and engineering plastics, polyurethanes, fluorosilicone materials and products, specialty rubbers, high-performance fibers, high-performance films, electronic chemicals, green pesticides, high-end dyes, specialty coatings, specialty adhesives, specialty auxiliaries and oils, new catalysts, high-end reagents, etc.
3. Promote the Quality Improvement of Advantageous Products
• Coatings: Gradually reduce the production and use of high-VOC solvent-based coatings, vigorously develop eco-friendly and resource-saving coatings with no (low) VOCs such as water-based, powder, radiation-cured, high-solids, solvent-free, etc., for high-performance applications in areas such as large aircraft, bullet train, large ships, new energy, electronics, home appliances, general machinery, etc., to meet the demand for consumption upgrades.
• Specialty Chemicals: Accelerate the development of low-VOCs adhesives, inks, cleaning agents, eco-friendly water treatment agents, green efficient catalysts, solvents, modifiers/additives/surfactants, ultra-clean high-purity reagents in water-based forms, etc.
At PU CHINA 2024 held last week, polyurethane suppliers showcased biochemical/bio-based/biomass solutions.
Covestro
Covestro’s CQ series offshore wind power bend restrictors, based on the mass balance approach and containing biomass raw materials, can reduce carbon footprint by up to 63%.
Changhua
At PU China 2024, Changhua group showcased several new products, including biobased polyols and CO2-based polyols. The main raw material of biobased polyols is castor oil, with mass production expected in the fourth quarter of this year; the CO2-based polyols and high-performance polyols project officially started construction in June 2024. The project will be constructed in two phases, with the first phase expected to come on stream in the second half of 2025.
Hairma
Hairma Technology Co., Ltd. is an environmentally friendly company focusing on sustainable bio-based low-carbon polyols, with products applied in adhesives, electronic potting compounds, home foams, insoles, automotive seats, coatings, and other polyurethane products. Hairma’s plant oil polyol is a low-carbon environmental product made from soybean oil through epoxidation and ring-opening reactions, with a bio-based content of 100%.
Evonik
Evonik unveiled its new TEGOSTAB® LCF low carbon footprint series at the exhibition. These products are produced at Evonik’s surfactant production base in Essen, Germany, which has obtained ISCC PLUS international sustainability and carbon certification. This ensures that the TEGOSTAB® surfactants are based on renewable raw materials and that the supply chain is fully traceable. In its preliminary results Q2 2024, Evonik mentioned that in response to subdued demand and intensified competition, they have been implementing cost reduction plans and accelerating their presence in areas such as new energy, biobased, and high value-added materials since 2024. Evonik has not only launched multiple new products but also announced various expansion and collaboration initiatives. In the field of biobased industries, Evonik has collaborated with industry partners to develop a variety of biobased products including biobased silica, biobased polyamide, biobased polybutadiene, biosurfactant, biobased coatings, biobased hot melt adhesives, renewable BDO catalysts, among others, creating viable green solutions in sectors such as automobile, construction, packaging, and personal care.
