The 40,000-ton-per-year ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene plant of Chengzhi Co., Ltd. has successfully completed its first trial run with material feeding

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On February 4, Chengzhi Co., Ltd. issued a announcement stating that the plant for producing 40,000 tons per year of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which was invested in and built by the company, successfully completed its initial trial run. The plant operates stably and produces products with uniform particle size and excellent quality, laying a solid foundation for Chengzhi Co., Ltd. to manufacture high-end products in the future. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production line utilizes domestically developed technology for producing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. It employs a \"vessel-type slurry process,\" and achieves systematic technical integration and innovation in key areas such as catalyst activity, polymerization processes, and control of molecular weight distribution. This ensures an efficient and stable commissioning process as well as consistent and reliable product quality. It also helps to extend the company’s olefin industry chain, reduces reliance on suppliers of basic chemical raw materials, and further enhances the company’s competitiveness in the market. It is reported that the development of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production line began on August 30, 2022, and was officially launched after approval by the board of directors of Chengzhi Co., Ltd. The site for this facility is located in the Dongjiakou Economic Zone of Qingdao West Coast New Area. As a major project in Shandong Province, it has attracted considerable attention from the industry since its initiation. The total investment in the project is approximately 800 million yuan, with a designed production capacity of 40,000 tons per year. It ranks among the largest single-unit capacity projects of its kind in China at present. The construction of this production line took only 13 months, with zero accidents related to safety and environmental protection throughout the process. The handover of the facility was successfully completed in October 2025. This successful trial production further demonstrates the strong capabilities associated with the \"Chengzhi Speed\" philosophy. This project is funded and constructed by Qingdao Chengzhi Huaqing Chemical New Materials Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chengzhi Co., Ltd. It is part of Qingdao West Coast New Area’s 2024 \"131\" key projects, specifically the high-end chemical industry chain project, and it also counts as a major project under Shandong Province’s development plans. The project requires an investment of 2,352.75 million yuan, with a total land area of 528 mu. Phase 1 of the project involves building a production line for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with an annual capacity of 40,000 tons, along with auxiliary production facilities and warehouses. In addition, the project also plans to build 2×100,000 tons/year POE plants. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a linear polyethylene with an extremely high molecular weight; it is irreplaceable in various fields such as high-end manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. Its impact strength is 10 to 20 times that of ordinary polyethylene, and it even exceeds that of PC and ABS; it retains excellent toughness at low temperatures of -40°C, making it suitable for use in impact-resistant applications such as bulletproof armor and deep-sea cables. Furthermore, UHMWPE has the best wear resistance among plastics – 7 times higher than that of carbon steel and 4 times higher than that of polytetrafluoroethylene – making it suitable for use in components such as linings for mining machinery and bearing balls in applications subject to severe wear. Its friction coefficient is as low as 0.05–0.11, eliminating the need for additional lubrication; it can be used in moving components such as gears and guide rails, thereby reducing the maintenance costs of equipment. UHMWPE is virtually insoluble in any organic solvent, and it remains stable even in strong corrosive media such as concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid, outperforming most engineering plastics. Currently, the domestic UHMWPE industry is in a period of rapid development, with production capacity continuing to expand; however, high-end products still rely on imports. The total import volume of high-end products such as membrane materials and fibers accounts for nearly 60% of the overall import volume. The successful trial production of the UHMWPE product by Chengzhi Co., Ltd. not only fills the gap in its capabilities in the field of high-end new materials, but it will also, thanks to its technical and production advantages, help the domestic industry overcome technical barriers and increase the proportion of domestically produced high-end products.