【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】2020–2025: Wanhua Chemical’s World’s First Bio-based 1,3-Butanediol

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Give praise and encouragement to the achievements made in China’s chemical technology and equipment sector; your participation in discussions is the greatest encouragement. **********************【Ten Years of Progress in Chemical Equipment】Regularly updated summary posts are available – feel free to join the discussions: https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3576046-1-1.html ***************** On February 19, 2025, Wanhua Chemical unveiled a new product at the PCHi exhibition: bio-based 1,3-butanol, which is used in moisturizers and solvents, and can be applied in products such as serums, cleansers, and sunscreens. Why is bio-based 1,3-butanediol so popular? It is reported that as early as June 2022, Wanhua Chemical released a draft environmental impact assessment report for the project aimed at producing 30,000 tons of emollients per year, which included the construction of a facility for producing 1,3-butanediol at a rate of 30,000 tons per year. To date, the company is constructing a plant for producing industrial-grade 1,3-butanediol with an annual capacity of 0.7 tons, as well as a plant for producing cosmetic-grade 1,3-butanediol with an annual capacity of 2.3 tons. As the world’s first of its kind, the product released by Wanhua this time is a bio-based product. For the beauty industry, which is currently eager to pursue low-carbon, green, sustainable, and innovative ingredients, this is undoubtedly an exciting development. The green transformation of the beauty ingredients industry involves replacing moisturizers, solvents, and other substances of petroleum origin with alternative options, which is an important approach. 1,3-Butanediol is currently primarily used in the cosmetics industry as a humectant; it has good antibacterial properties, and its irritancy and sensitization potential are lower compared to glycerin and propylene glycol. In addition, it is also widely used in the synthesis of various resins, coatings, adhesives, and as a key intermediate for many drug molecules, among other applications. According to available data, the global production capacity of 1,3-propanediol exceeds 60,000 tons per year, with only a few manufacturers in this field – primarily located in the United States and Japan. OQ in Oman is the largest producer globally, with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons per year. Other companies include Nippon Kohwa Fermentation, Daisairo Chemical, Haikexineng, Wanhua Chemical, Jiangsu Huachang Chemical, and others. With the rapid growth of the cosmetics and beauty products market, the demand for 1,3-butanediol is set to increase by more than 5%, while consumption in the Chinese market is expected to grow by over 10%. China represents a potential and largest consumer market with promising prospects for the future; this is precisely why Wanhua Chemical has chosen to focus on the development of 1,3-butanediol. How is bio-based 1,3-butanediol technology achieved? The synthesis techniques for 1,3-butanediol include the acetaldehyde condensation method, the acraldehyde method, and the biosynthesis method. Among these, biosynthetic methods utilize microbial fermentation of raw materials such as sugars to produce 1,3-butanediol; it is a relatively environmentally friendly process. However, its yield and efficiency are currently limited by factors such as microbial strains and enzyme technologies. This time, Wanhua’s bio-based 1,3-butanediol Carfil®1,3BG is a butanediol developed using bio-based technology; it can be derived from non-grain raw materials, thereby avoiding competition with food resources. Furthermore, the use of green electricity and low-carbon processes in the production process ensures 100% natural sourcing and a carbon cycle throughout the entire life cycle; as a result, carbon emissions are significantly reduced compared to traditional petrochemical methods, offering a new approach for the sustainable development of this industry. In addition, Wanhua Chemical is also exploring industry solutions that combine innovation with sustainability, such as rhamnolipids, carbomers, diols, and silicone oil emulsifiers.