Industrialization of high-refractive PC by Wanhua Chemical

Thread Content

Recently, the National Key Laboratory of High-Performance Organic Optical Polymers and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, jointly established by Wanhua Chemical, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, and Hangzhou Hikvision (hereinafter referred to as the laboratory), announced the development of a complete set of manufacturing technologies for high-refractive-index polycarbonates (PC) with independent intellectual property rights. Wanhua Chemical has built China’s first industrial facility with an annual production capacity of 1,500 tons; the key performance indicators of its initial products have reached international advanced levels. 　　High-refractive PC is the product in the field of optical PCs that presents the highest technical barriers and the greatest practical value; it is primarily used in high-end optical lenses for smartphones, automobiles, security systems, low-altitude aircraft, and humanoid robots. Its performance directly determines the optical quality, size reduction potential, and manufacturing cost of the lens. However, the production technology for this material has long been monopolized by Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi and Teijin, which has severely restricted the autonomy, control, and innovative development of related industries in our country. 　　To break the monopoly, the laboratory took proactive steps; by relying on its self-developed digital R&D platform for optical PC and a condensation polymerization amplification platform, it overcame three major technical challenges: high-precision feeding of solid powders, removal of small molecules from highly viscous materials, and stable control of product performance across batches. It also eliminated the use of phosgene and organic solvents, developing a new polycondensation process. The products resulting from this process possess high refractive index, high light transmittance, high heat resistance, and extremely low birefringence, addressing the issues of low refractive index, high birefringence, and environmental hazards associated with traditional PC resins. Meanwhile, the laboratory is working on developing technologies for products with higher refractive indices and has carried out relevant patent filings, laying a solid foundation for creating a portfolio of domestic special optical PC products. 　　The successful commercialization of high-refractive PC technology marks a crucial step forward in China’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in high-end organic optical materials, providing assurance for the security and high-quality development of related industry chains and supply chains.