Tianchen Company has achieved remarkable results in technology research and development, as well as in its industrial and engineering sectors

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Tianchen Company has made remarkable achievements in technology research and development, as well as in its industrial and engineering sectors. Author/Source: China Tianchen Date: 2022-02-07 Clicks: 19 The industrial sector serves as a key pillar for the development of Tianchen Company. In 2014, leveraging its technical advantages, capital operation capabilities, and project construction skills, the company invested in establishing the first industrial demonstration base within the group – the Fujian Tianchen Yaolong Caprolactam Industrial Base. After just a few years of development, this base has demonstrated significant strengths in terms of process performance, technical management, and industrial operations. In 2021, Tianchen Yaolong achieved new highs in both production volume and revenue; it was successfully recognized as a **high-tech enterprise and remained among the top 100 manufacturing companies in Fujian Province for three consecutive years. At the same time, the introduction of the green caprolactam process to the market has raised the domestic self-sufficiency rate from less than 30% to over 90%, effectively demonstrating Tianchen’s role in strengthening national independent technologies and advancing the journey toward innovation. Adhering to the integrated development approach of \"technology + industry\" and with the full support of the group company, and after thorough evaluation by industry experts, the commercialization of the new technology for synthesizing adiponitrile using the butadiene method, for which the company holds independent intellectual property rights, has been fully launched. Adiponitrile is an important raw material intermediate used in the production of nylon 66 (adiponitrile is hydrogenated to produce adipamide, which is then polymerized with adipic acid to yield nylon 66); approximately 90% of adiponitrile is used in the production of nylon 66 salts. Thanks to its excellent heat resistance and superior ability to withstand high impacts, nylon 66 is particularly suitable for use in specialized applications such as tires for aircraft, parachutes, military uniforms, and engines in the military industry. It is one of the essential materials for national defense, and it also serves as a metal substitute in modern cars to reduce weight and energy consumption. At present, the Tianchen Qixiang Nylon New Materials project, invested and built by Tianchen Company, has gradually entered a phase where construction work and trial production using raw materials are carried out simultaneously. The construction of this project will completely break the monopoly on international high-end nylon technology, fill the gaps in domestic technology and industry, meet the urgent demand for new nylon products, and is of great significance for state-owned enterprises to boost confidence in national technology and achieve the revitalization of the national industry. “During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Tianchen Company will actively advance the development of its industrial operations. Focusing on key core technologies such as adiponitrile, caprolactam, HPPO, hydrazine hydrate, and biodegradable plastics, it will develop and invest in high-value demonstration industrial projects. Ultimately, it aims to create an industry ecosystem for high-end chemical new materials characterized by strong technical advantages, distinct industrial features, efficient resource allocation, and orderly regional cooperation, thereby taking practical actions to meet the new requirements set for the group company’s role in the \"two types of business\" sector. In terms of technological research and development, China Chemical Tianchen has, since its establishment, embraced a culture that emphasizes reform and innovation. The company understands clearly the new demands that high-quality development places on technological innovation, and it focuses on technological research and development as its core element, continuously strengthening its role as a leader in this field. Aiming at strategic needs, it strives to become a hub for the creation of original technologies. First is the strategy of providing in-depth services, which has led to multiple new breakthroughs in key technologies that were previously limiting progress. Tianchen Company focuses on technological research and development in areas such as high-end chemical new materials, new catalysts, environmental protection technologies, specialty chemicals, polymerization processes, and basic research. It has successfully developed a number of advanced process technologies that are crucial for the country’s economic and social development. Among these, the butadiene-based adiponitrile production process has broken the technical monopoly held by foreign companies. The introduction of the green caprolactam production process has increased the domestic self-sufficiency rate from less than 30% to over 90%, thereby playing a significant role in strengthening China’s independent technological capabilities and advancing its efforts to become an innovative nation – thus demonstrating the importance of central state-owned enterprises in this process. Second, it is to continuously promote the integrated development of “technology + engineering” and “technology + industry” in order to achieve a deep integration of science and technology with industry. By leveraging the transformation of its own technologies, the company continues to promote the integrated development of \"technology + engineering\" and \"technology + industry\", thereby achieving a deep integration of science and technology with industrial applications. The impact of innovation is becoming increasingly evident; its proprietary technologies for adiponitrile, adipic acid, and HPPO have enabled the initiation or development of multiple new projects. The value generated through technological innovation has accounted for over 60% for several consecutive years, resulting in significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of the company’s operations. Third, accelerate the development of open innovation platforms to stimulate new drivers of technological progress. As early as 2006, Tianchen Company established the first R&D center within the Sinochem group, and it became the first **certified enterprise technology center of Sinochem Group. It has successively obtained certifications such as a post-doctoral research station, a **certified enterprise technology center, and a key laboratory for green reaction engineering in Tianjin. It is also responsible for the technical introduction of **multiple major chemical engineering projects. By combining innovation and entrepreneurship, online and offline approaches, as well as incubation and investment, we work together to promote the transfer and application of scientific and technological achievements, striving to create an innovative ecosystem characterized by resource aggregation, collaborative innovation, and mutual benefit for all parties involved. Over the past year, the Tianchen Engineering division has focused on the development of these four aspects: more thorough management of engineering projects, dynamic monitoring of production and operation metrics, budget-based control of funds for EPC projects, and intelligent supervision of construction sites. It has innovated the assessment methods for production departments, explored new approaches to limited-design techniques, developed new ways of organizing production tasks, and created a comprehensive budget management system. By leveraging these advancements, the division has managed hundreds of engineering projects spread across the country and around the world. By concentrating on production tasks and working as a unified team, it has succeeded in exceeding all set targets for production and operation, thereby laying a solid foundation for high-quality development in the field of engineering construction. The world’s largest single-chamber natural gas storage facility, undertaken under the company’s general contracting, was successfully delivered; the polypropylene unit of the Huating FMTP technology demonstration project produced qualified powder products; and the projects related to the relocation and transformation in line with the principles of industrialization and informatization were completed on schedule ； The industrial gas island project undertaken by Guangxi Huayi Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. under a turnkey contract was recognized as a \"High-Quality Project in the Chemical Industry\" for 2021. The 1 million tons per year ethylene and refinery expansion project designed by Sinochem Quanzhou was also awarded the title of \"High-Quality Project in the Chemical Industry\" for 2021. The \"75,000 tons per year multi-functional chemicals production plant construction project\" won the first prize for outstanding general contracting in surveying and design in Tianjin for 2021, in the \"Haihe Cup\" competition. The employees of Tianchen Engineering celebrated this success with numerous shiny trophies, marking a good start to the 14th Five-Year Plan period! Seek development through the “four modernizations,” and strive to write a new chapter with the “four innovations.” In 2022, the employees of Tianchen Engineering will strive hard to make progress, make full use of the advantages of refined management, actively pursue innovations in engineering technology, drive digital transformation, implement digital transformation across the entire cost management process, and achieve seamless integration with “Chemical Cloud Procurement”. Further advance the digitalization, visualization, and hierarchical monitoring of the entire project process. Thoroughly review the digital handover operation model, with the process engineering department taking the lead, to comprehensively improve the level of digital handovers. In line with the company’s requirements for enhancing its capabilities across the entire value chain—namely research, investment, construction, operation, and marketing—Tianchen Engineering personnel will, with a selfless mindset, strive to make significant contributions toward building a strong country. They will actively participate in the development of industrial bases, helping these bases to become operational at the earliest possible date.