Licensee of Asahi Kasei Technology Begins Commercial Production of High-Purity Carbonates Using CO2 as Main Feedstock in China
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical has commenced commercial operations of a new carbonates plant in Lianyungang, China, using Asahi Kasei's licensed technology to produce high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using CO2 as main feedstock. The plant, which began operations in November 2024, has the capacity to utilize 54,000 tons of CO2 annually to produce 38,000 tons of EC and 70,000 tons of DMC.
These carbonates are essential materials for lithium-ion battery electrolytes used in electric vehicles. The technology implementation stems from a September 2021 license agreement between Asahi Kasei and Sailboat. Including this facility, Asahi Kasei's licensed technology now enables the use of approximately 300,000 tons of CO2 annually as feedstock across various licensees for producing polycarbonate and carbonates.
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical ha avviato le operazioni commerciali di un nuovo impianto per carbonati a Lianyungang, Cina, utilizzando la tecnologia concessa in licenza da Asahi Kasei per produrre carbonato di etilene (EC) e carbonato di dimetile (DMC) ad alta purezza, utilizzando la CO2 come materia prima principale. L'impianto, che ha iniziato le operazioni a novembre 2024, ha una capacità di utilizzare 54.000 tonnellate di CO2 all'anno per produrre 38.000 tonnellate di EC e 70.000 tonnellate di DMC.
Questi carbonati sono materiali essenziali per gli elettroliti delle batterie agli ioni di litio utilizzati nei veicoli elettrici. L'implementazione della tecnologia deriva da un accordo di licenza del settembre 2021 tra Asahi Kasei e Sailboat. Inclusa questa struttura, la tecnologia concessa in licenza da Asahi Kasei ora consente di utilizzare circa 300.000 tonnellate di CO2 all'anno come materia prima tra vari licenziatari per la produzione di policarbonati e carbonati.
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical ha comenzado las operaciones comerciales de una nueva planta de carbonatos en Lianyungang, China, utilizando la tecnología licenciada de Asahi Kasei para producir carbonato de etileno (EC) y carbonato de dimetilo (DMC) de alta pureza, utilizando CO2 como materia prima principal. La planta, que inició operaciones en noviembre de 2024, tiene la capacidad de utilizar 54,000 toneladas de CO2 anualmente para producir 38,000 toneladas de EC y 70,000 toneladas de DMC.
Estos carbonatos son materiales esenciales para los electrolitos de baterías de iones de litio utilizadas en vehículos eléctricos. La implementación de esta tecnología se deriva de un acuerdo de licencia de septiembre de 2021 entre Asahi Kasei y Sailboat. Incluida esta instalación, la tecnología licenciada de Asahi Kasei ahora permite el uso de aproximadamente 300,000 toneladas de CO2 anualmente como materia prima entre varios licenciatarios para la producción de policarbonatos y carbonatos.
장쑤 세일보트 석유화학은 중국 리안윈강에 있는 새로운 탄산염 공장의 상업 운영을 시작했으며, 아사히 가세이의 라이선스 기술를 사용하여 CO2를 주요 원료로 하여 고순도 에틸렌 탄산염(EC)과 디메틸 탄산염(DMC)을 생산하고 있습니다. 이 공장은 2024년 11월에 가동을 시작했으며, 연간 54,000톤의 CO2를 활용하여 38,000톤의 EC와 70,000톤의 DMC를 생산할 수 있는 용량을 가지고 있습니다.
이 탄산염은 전기 자동차에 사용되는 리튬 이온 배터리 전해질의 필수 재료입니다. 이 기술의 적용은 아사히 가세이와 세일보트 간의 2021년 9월 라이선스 계약에서 비롯되었습니다. 이 시설을 포함하여 아사히 가세이의 라이선스 기술은 이제 다양한 라이선스 사용자 간에 연간 약 300,000톤의 CO2를 원료로 사용할 수 있게 되었습니다. 이는 폴리카보네이트 및 탄산염을 생산하는 데 사용됩니다.
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical a lancé les opérations commerciales d'une nouvelle usine de carbonates à Lianyungang, en Chine, utilisant la technologie sous licence d'Asahi Kasei pour produire du carbonate d'éthylène (EC) et du carbonate de diméthyle (DMC) de haute pureté à partir de CO2 comme matière première principale. L'usine, qui a commencé ses activités en novembre 2024, a la capacité d'utiliser 54 000 tonnes de CO2 par an pour produire 38 000 tonnes d'EC et 70 000 tonnes de DMC.
Ces carbonates sont des matériaux essentiels pour les électrolytes de batteries lithium-ion utilisées dans les véhicules électriques. La mise en œuvre de cette technologie découle d'un accord de licence signé en septembre 2021 entre Asahi Kasei et Sailboat. Avec cette installation, la technologie sous licence d'Asahi Kasei permet désormais d'utiliser environ 300 000 tonnes de CO2 par an comme matière première chez divers licenciés pour la production de polycarbonates et de carbonates.
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical hat die kommerziellen Aktivitäten einer neuen Carbonat-Anlage in Lianyungang, China, aufgenommen, die unter Lizenz von Asahi Kasei entwickelte Technologie verwendet, um hochreines Ethylencarbonat (EC) und Dimethylcarbonat (DMC) unter Verwendung von CO2 als Hauptrohstoff zu produzieren. Die Anlage, die im November 2024 in Betrieb ging, hat eine Kapazität von 54.000 Tonnen CO2 pro Jahr zur Produktion von 38.000 Tonnen EC und 70.000 Tonnen DMC.
Diese Carbonate sind essentielle Materialien für Lithium-Ionen-Batterieelektrolyte, die in Elektrofahrzeugen verwendet werden. Die Implementierung der Technologie beruht auf einem Lizenzvertrag zwischen Asahi Kasei und Sailboat aus September 2021. Mit dieser Anlage ermöglicht die lizenzierte Technologie von Asahi Kasei nun die Verwendung von etwa 300.000 Tonnen CO2 jährlich als Rohstoff bei verschiedenen Lizenznehmern zur Herstellung von Polycarbonaten und Carbonaten.
- Technology enables production of essential EV battery materials using CO2 as feedstock
- Significant production capacity: 38,000 tons EC and 70,000 tons DMC annually
- Expanding market presence in growing EV battery materials sector
- None.
DÜSSELDORF,
Sailboat's new plant for high-purity EC and DMC using the Asahi Kasei process technology (Photo: Business Wire)
In the early 2000s, Asahi Kasei developed process technology to produce various chemical products using CO2 as a main raw material. The technology has been licensed to chemical companies globally, with the first licensee starting the production of polycarbonate using CO2 in 2002. Since then, Asahi Kasei has been expanding its expertise in the field of CO2-based production of resins and other chemicals, including carbonates.
Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to continue increasing due to the global shift to EVs in the automotive industry and greater use of electric power storage systems (ESS) in conjunction with growing use of renewable energy. Ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) are two essential materials for the production of lithium-ion battery electrolytes. In addition, reducing the carbon footprint of products (CFP) for materials and components is a major challenge for manufacturers worldwide.
In September 2021, Asahi Kasei and Chinese client Sailboat signed a license agreement for process technology to produce 38,000 tons of high-purity EC and 70,000 tons of high-purity DMC annually. The two parties jointly performed the design, construction, and commissioning of a production plant. Having started commercial operation in November 2024, the plant has the capacity to use 54,000 tons of CO2 per year as feedstock. With several licensees now adopting this process technology for the large-scale production of high-purity carbonates using CO2 as feedstock, the total amount of CO2 used as feedstock is approximately 300,000 tons annually, including the production of polycarbonate as well as carbonates.
Xu Jiale, Project Director of Sailboat for carbonates (EC/DMC), comments: “By producing high-purity EC and DMC for lithium-ion battery electrolytes, Sailboat will further expand the value chain for this industry and contribute to a sustainable society.”
Hiroyoshi Matsuyama, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and President of its Environmental Solutions SBU, adds: “By licensing this technology for a more sustainable production of these important materials, we will continue to focus on the practical application of our expertise in the field of CO2 chemistry and contribute to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's environmental challenges.”
About Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical (Sailboat)
Sailboat was founded in 2010 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sheng Hong Holding Group to produce high-end petrochemicals. Founded in 1992, Sheng Hong Holding Group is an international high-tech industrial group with integrated development of the whole industrial chain of petrochemical refining, new energy, new materials, and high-end textiles.
About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 49,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205198688/en/
Europe Contact:
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Sebastian Schmidt
sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu
North America Contact:
Asahi Kasei America Inc.
Christian OKeefe
christian.okeefe@ak-america.com
Source: Asahi Kasei
FAQ
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