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Industry Discussion on New Technologies for Polyolefin Product Development Author/Source: Date: 2018-11-08 Clicks: 29 From November 7 to 9, the 2018 4th China Polyolefin Conference and the 1st Summit on the Development of Specialty Polyolefin Materials were held in Xi’an, organized jointly by the Polyolefin Industry Innovation Alliance, Shanghai Jupu New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., and Xi’an Shiyou University. Experts, scholars, and industry representatives from the polyolefin sector gathered to conduct in-depth discussions and exchanges on cutting-edge topics such as the development trends of olefin polymerization catalysts, the creation of new polyolefin products, and the automation of manufacturing processes. Li Hua, vice president of Xi’an Shiyou University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. “Loaded Ziegler-Natta (Z-N) catalysts for olefin polymerization exhibit high catalytic activity, are not highly sensitive to impurities, have relatively good stability, and are suitable for various polymerization processes, which facilitates long-term, stable, and continuous operation of the production facilities. At the same time, this catalyst has a low cost and is relatively easy to prepare. It is currently widely utilized in China, but there is still a gap compared to the world’s advanced levels. ”Fan Zhiqiang, a professor at Zhejiang University, said that although metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerization have developed rapidly, supported catalysts will continue to hold a dominant position and remain irreplaceable due to their excellent overall performance. Through catalyst optimization and innovation, combined with the optimization of polymerization processes, it is possible to achieve more precise control over the structure of polyolefins as well as adjustable properties for next-generation polyolefins. Liu Bo, former director of the Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Research Institute, said that the development of new polyolefin products is a systematic endeavor that involves various aspects such as processes, equipment, and control systems. It is characterized by market orientation, series production, customization, integration, specialization, and stability. By means of introduction, digestion, absorption, and independent innovation, we will refine general-purpose materials, expand and strengthen specialized materials, and build up a strong technical reserve to meet the demands of the high-end market. “At present, the core original technologies for olefin polymerization catalysts and polymerization processes are still under foreign control, which is the main reason why China has to import a large amount of high-end polyolefin products. ”Feng Lianfang, a professor at Zhejiang University, told the reporter. He shared insights on the olefin slurry polymerization process as well as the advancements and application examples of intelligent reactor technologies. He believed that the liquid-phase plus gas-phase sequential polymerization technique combines the advantages of both approaches, and that the intelligentization of the polymerization process would become a trend, helping the industry achieve high-quality and efficient development. At the meeting, relevant experts also discussed the progress in gas-phase processes for olefin polymerization, the development of high-end specialty materials, the establishment of new product development systems, and the role of intelligent control in facilitating product development, while also providing an outlook on the future trends of the polyolefin industry. “This conference aims to promote healthy competition within China’s polyolefin industry, enhance exchanges and cooperation, and support the high-end and differentiated development of this industry. ”The person in charge of Shanghai Jupu New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. said that in recent years, the production of polyolefins in China has grown rapidly. In 2017, the production of polyethylene and polypropylene reached 14.41 million tons and 20.9 million tons respectively, with external dependence rates of 45% and 22% respectively. Over the next three years, the production of polypropylene and polyethylene is set to increase by more than 10 million tons each, with growth rates exceeding 50%. The industry faces increasingly fierce competition due to homogenization, a heavy reliance on imports for certain high-end products, and rising demands from downstream industries.