【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】Sumitomo Chemical unveils an innovative process for producing propylene directly from ethanol

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On August 20, Sumitomo Chemical announced that it had successfully built and commissioned a pilot facility that uses its proprietary new process to produce propylene directly from ethanol. This innovative technology not only has the potential to reshape the raw material landscape of the petrochemical industry, but it is also closely linked to the future development of the plastics industry. Innovative processes to break through traditional constraints: In Japan, the production of acrylic has traditionally relied on naphtha, a fossil resource. The new process introduced by Sumitomo Chemical differs from other processes that use ethanol to produce propylene; it eliminates the step of generating intermediate products such as ethylene, allowing propylene to be produced directly in one step. This unique technical approach significantly simplifies the production process, with the direct benefit being reduced production costs. Not only that, but hydrogen is also produced as a by-product during the production of propylene. If bioethanol is used as a raw material, then hydrogen will also have a biological origin, which undoubtedly opens up new possibilities for the production of clean energy. Ethanol as a raw material: ushering in an era of sustainability. As a raw material with great potential, ethanol can be obtained from various sources in a sustainable manner. Biomass such as sugarcane and corn can be used to produce ethanol; in addition, non-food materials like pulp, as well as combustible waste, which has been a focus of research in recent years, can all serve as sources for ethanol production. Compared to traditional fossil-based raw materials, these sources of ethanol offer significant environmental advantages. With continuous technological advancements, the industrial process for producing ethanol on a large scale from raw materials such as combustible waste is now within reach. Against the backdrop of global efforts to promote sustainable development, ethanol is gaining increasing importance as a substitute for petrochemical raw materials. As a basic chemical raw material, propylene serves as the core precursor for many engineering plastics. For example, propylene can be processed to produce acrylonitrile, which is then used to manufacture engineering plastics such as nylon 66 ； Its derivatives can also be used in the synthesis of high-performance polyesters. With this technology for directly producing propylene from ethanol, once it is put into commercial use, Sumitomo Chemical will be able to provide a \"green source\" for its engineering plastics supply chain – reducing reliance on fossil fuels at the raw material stage and lowering carbon emissions throughout the product’s life cycle. This will not only enhance the environmental competitiveness of its existing products but also lay the foundation for developing new types of green engineering plastics, further solidifying its leading position in the high-end materials market. Sumitomo Chemical has long been a benchmark in the field of engineering plastics, with many of its products holding a significant market position thanks to their high performance. Its liquid crystal polymer (LCP) “SUMIKASUPER”, with its excellent properties such as high temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability, is widely used in high-end fields such as 5G communications and automotive electronics ； Polyethersulfone (PES) materials, thanks to their excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength, have become key materials for medical devices and aerospace components.