The status-quo and development of ethylene oxide (EO) and its derivatives (EOD)
——Dr. Kong Fanzhi, Oxiranchem
The report is divided into three parts.
Part 1: Overview of the Development of the EO Industry in the Past Thirty Years, China domestic and International. This section first introduces the EO production capacity, basic structure, and regional increases in production capacity in China and globally over the past 30 years. The current production landscape has evolved into a globally balanced development model, with China and the United States having the largest production capacities, along with many countries building EO production facilities. It then discusses the global supply and demand situation for EOD, as well as the operating conditions and distribution of enterprises in China.
Part 2: The Development History of Oxiranchem's EO Industry Over Thirty Years. This section outlines the traditional development of the EOD industry at Oxiranchem, as well as the emerging innovations in EOD. The emerging EOD industry is characterized by innovations in energy saving, consumption reduction, safety, environmental protection, and high quality.
Part 3: Major Issues Faced by the Epoxy Industry and Considerations for High-Quality Development. Key international issues include:
1. Significant price disparities for ethylene feedstock across different global regions.
2. Challenges related to catalyst improvements.
3. Pathways to achieve low-carbon processes.
4. Transportation issues for ethylene oxide (EO).
The main issues in China include:
1. The localization of catalysts.
2. Pathways to low carbonization, along with quality improvement and consumption reduction.
The downstream applications of ethylene oxide are extensive, and with societal and technological progress, new application areas continue to be developed. Major EOD markets are currently oversaturated, necessitating increased efforts to develop new application markets. China needs to promote the research and development of new-type catalysts, enhance process technology, and form specialized technical research teams focusing on ethoxylation through collaborations among universities and research institutions. Additionally, there should be increased efforts to develop applications within the EOD sector and further explore refined development pathways for various branches.
