Chinese scientists pioneer sustainable bio-based ethylene glycol production

Chinese researchers have made significant advancements in sustainable chemical production by developing a bio-based technology for producing ethylene glycol (EG), with an annual capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes. This achievement marks a major step forward in China’s green transformation of its chemical industry. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

The breakthrough will also contribute to China's dual carbon goals, which aim to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This innovation supports sustainable economic growth in the country.

The research completed pilot testing of biomass-to-bio-EG conversion technology. The bio-EG technology, which utilises biomass feedstocks such as corn stalks, replaces the conventional oil- and coal-based processes, offering a low-carbon, eco-friendly alternative.

Given the global demand for EG, this bio-based technology could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impact. China uses over 20 million metric tonnes of EG annually, making this breakthrough particularly impactful for its domestic industry.

After years of systematic research and collaboration with industrial partners, China’s first 1,000-tonne pilot plant for bio-EG was constructed in Puyang, Henan Province, in 2022. Further improvements have been made, and the technology now holds over 40 patents, establishing a foundation for scaling production to 10,000 metric tonnes annually.

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