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Polycarbonate (PC) contains carbonate group in the molecular chain, according to the different ester groups in the molecular structure, can be divided into aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic, of which the most practical value of the aromatic group, the most important is the bisphenol A type polycarbonate, the general heavy average molecular weight (MW) of 200,000-100,000.

　　Polycarbonate has good overall performance, such as strength, toughness, transparency, heat and cold resistance, easy processing and flame retardancy. The main downstream applications are electronic appliances, sheet metal and automotive. These three industries account for about 80% of polycarbonate consumption. Other areas are also widely used in industrial machinery parts, CDs, packaging, office equipment, healthcare, film, leisure and protective equipment, etc. It has become one of the five fastest growing categories of engineering plastics.

　I. Brief development of PC industry in the world and China.

　　In terms of PC research, DuPont successfully manufactured PC in 1940 and obtained a U.S. patent.

　　Bayer obtained the first practical value of PC in 1953 and applied for a patent.

　　GE applied for a patent in 1955, and in 1960, the trade name:Lexan.

　　In 1958, Bayer started industrial production of PC on a medium scale under the trade name:Makrolon.

　　In 1960, Teijin Kasei and Mitsubishi went into production on PC respectively.

　　Production started in 1964 and officially in 1965. After that, other companies put PC into production and brought it to the market.

　　Chinese polycarbonate industrial process development started early, but progress was slow in the early days.

　　In 1959, the Shenyang Chemical Research Institute developed a polycarbonate production process, but no large-scale polycarbonate production projects applying local technology were put into production for more than 50 years, and the industry developed relatively slowly.

　　Since 2005, large multinational companies have been investing in China to build plants. The domestic polycarbonate supply is completely concentrated in four foreign and joint venture plants, namely, Kostron, Teijin, Sinopec Mitsubishi, and Ling Uplast.

　　In 2014, Zhejiang Tie Feng, which adopts self-developed technology, was officially put into operation, opening a wave of polycarbonate expansion in China. Since then, Yantai Wanhua, Lihua Yiweiyuan, Hainan Huasheng, Pingmei Shenma and other major projects have been signed, the production capacity of explosive growth year by year, polycarbonate import dependence gradually reduced.

　　Second, China has which PC production enterprises.

　　Next, we will sort out the technical route, production capacity and planning of China's 17 PC production enterprises (there is a summary version at the end of the article). Seven of them use phosgene or traditional ester exchange method, 10 use non-phosgene ester exchange method, non-phosgene PC than a significant increase. In addition, three foreign-funded enterprises, one joint venture, 13 Chinese-funded enterprises, the proportion of Chinese-funded enterprises also increased rapidly.

　　Phosgene method.

　　1. Costron (China)

　　The history of Costron can be traced back to Bayer, which was founded in 1863. 1953, Bayer chemist Hermann Schnell made the first successful attempt to synthesize polycarbonate. Five years later, Bayer began mass production of this versatile transparent plastic. Product name: Mold clone? (Makrolon)

　　Bayer MaterialScience became a separate legal entity from Covestro in 2015. The headquarters remain at the production site in Leverkusen.

　　In 2001, Bayer began construction of an integrated plant in Shanghai, China, and in 2010, the company invested approximately 1 billion euros to expand its facilities in Shanghai, China. As a result, production capacity will more than double. The total investment of more than 3 billion euros includes the expansion. In addition, the headquarters of the Polycarbonates business unit was relocated from Leverkusen, Germany, to Shanghai.

　　At present, Crestron's PC production capacity is the world's largest, accounting for 1,485,000 tons of global PC production capacity. Current production capacity in China is about 500,000 tons per year, with 100,000 tons per year under construction.

　　Technology route:Traditional ester exchange (indirect photogas method)

　　PC production capacity: 600,000 tons/year, of which 150,000 tons are under construction.
　2. Luci Chemical.

　　Ltd. was listed and traded on Shenzhen Stock Exchange in August 1998, approved by China Securities Regulatory Commission.

　　Luxi Group is a state-controlled enterprise, a large comprehensive chemical enterprise group developed on the basis of a small 10,000-ton nitrogen fertilizer enterprise built in 1976. 2020 joined Sinochem Holdings Limited (hereinafter referred to as Sinochem). The group has more than 70 sets of production facilities, mainly producing more than 100 kinds of products such as polycarbonate, caprolactam, nylon 6. hydrogen peroxide, polyol, high-end new refrigerant, organic silicon, methane, chloride, caustic soda, benzyl chloride and methanol.

　　The existing PC capacity of LUXI CHEMICAL is 300,000 tons/year, and the capacity under construction is 100,000 tons/year.

　　Technology route: phosgene method.

　　PC production capacity: 400,000 tons/year, of which 100,000 tons are under construction.

　　3. Wanhua Chemical.

　　Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. was founded in 1998 and listed in 2001, formerly known as Yantai Wanhua Polyurethane Co. Wanhua Chemical covers four industrial clusters: polyurethane, petrochemicals, fine chemicals and new materials.

　　Wanhua Chemical's polycarbonate business belongs to the high performance polymers business unit, with production base in Yantai. Using its own innovative interfacial optical gas method technology, it can provide general PC resins covering high, medium and low viscosity ranges, special PC resins to meet specific market demands (such as lamps, optical lenses, transparent flame retardant, etc.), and a complete industrial chain extending upstream.

　　Wanhua Chemical has an existing PC capacity of 210,000 tons/year and a capacity under construction of 140,000 tons/year.

　　Technology route: phosgene method.

　　PC production capacity: 350,000 tons/year, 140,000 tons/year under construction.

　　4. Emperor (Jiaxing)

　　Established in 1918, it is one of the most famous integrated chemical companies in Japan. Teijin Group started its business in China in the 1970s and currently has a polycarbonate polymerization plant in Jiaxing and Teijin Composite Plastics (Shanghai) Co.

　　Teijin Polycarbonate Co., Ltd (Jiaxing) panlite? is the first polycarbonate resin to be industrially produced by the Emperor of Japan. panlite? has outstanding advantages in terms of impact resistance, heat resistance, dimensional stability, electrical properties, transparency and hygienic properties. It can be processed by injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and other molding methods. It is widely used in many fields such as electronic appliances, office supplies, precision machinery, automobiles, medical care, security and household products.

　　Technology route: phosgene method.

　　PC capacity: 150,000 tons/year.

　　5. Mitsubishi Gas (Shanghai)

　　Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Engineering Plastics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was established in 2009, by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Corporation (MGC) and Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corporation (MEP) jointly funded by the Shanghai Chemical Industry Zone (SCIP) to set up a foreign enterprise specializing in the production of polycarbonate.

　　Mitsubishi is one of the world's leading chemical companies, mainly engaged in inorganic and organic chemicals, petrochemicals, synthetic resins, synthetic rubber and other polymer products, production, trade, etc., products involved in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, health care, IT and other fields, in the world's leading production technology field.

　　Technology line: phosgene method.

　　PC capacity: 100,000 tons/year.

　6. Cangzhou Dahua.

　　Ltd. is a wholly state-owned enterprise with fertilizer and TDI as its leading products, controlled by China National Chemical Corporation and with equity participation from Cangzhou Municipal Government.

　　Cangzhou Dahua's annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of polycarbonate (PC) project was put into operation in December 2020, producing qualified products. 2021, the company released information to improve the process on the original production line to produce copolysilicon PC.

　　Technology route: phosgene method.

　　PC capacity:100,000 tons/year (under construction)

　　7. Pingcoal Shenma.

　　China Pingcoal Shenma Group, reorganized by the former Pingcoal Group and Shenma Group, two of China's top 500 enterprises, has built a new industrial system with coal coke, nylon chemical, new energy and new materials as core industries, diversified support and coordinated development, opening up three unique industrial chains of national energy and chemical industries: coal-based nylon, carbon and photovoltaic.

　　According to the plan, China Pingma Group will build two 400,000 tons/year PC projects in Kaifeng and Ye County.

　　In March 2019, Henan Pingcoal Shenma Polycarbonate Materials Co., Ltd. is planned to be built in Ye County. Phase I construction of 100,000 tons per year of polycarbonate project, supporting the construction of 130,000 tons per year of bisphenol A project, with a total investment of 2.623 billion yuan, construction period of 27 months, covering an area of about 1,000 acres.

　　Technology route: phosgene method.

　　PC capacity:100,000 tons/year (under construction)

　　Ester exchange method.

　　8. Lihua Yiweiyuan Chemical.

　　Established in 2010, Lihua Yiweiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. is located in Dongying City, Shandong Province, mainly engaged in the production and sales of phenol, acetone, bisphenol A, polycarbonate and isopropanol. It cooperates with KBR, Badger, Japan Asahiwasei, Japan Ube Kogyo and other international companies and introduces their international leading technologies.

　　At present, 700,000 tons/year of phenol acetone, 240,000 tons/year of bisphenol A, 130,000 tons/year of non-phosgene polycarbonate and 100,000 tons/year of isopropyl alcohol have been completed and put into production, which is the first enterprise with the whole products and industrial chain of phenol, acetone-bisphenol A-polycarbonate in China.

　　In July 2018, the company started 130,000 tons/year polycarbonate joint project at one time, and the product quality reached the international superiority level.

　　Technology route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 130,000 tons/year.

　　Nine, Shengtong Polyyuan.

　　Puyang Shengtong Juyuan New Materials Co., Ltd. was initiated by Henan Province Puyang Shengyuan Group on September 30, 2016, a joint venture with Centaline Securities, Centaline Assets, Puyang Investment Group, Fan County Investment Group, with a registered capital of 900 million yuan, covering an area of 600 acres, specializing in the research and development, production, sales and service of polycarbonate materials.

　　The 130,000 tons/year polycarbonate project was put into operation in 2019, which was the largest private enterprise of non-phosgene monomer unit in China at that time.

　　Technology route: non-photogas ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity:130,000 tons/year.

　　10. Zhejiang Railway Dafeng.

　　Established in 2011, Ningbo Zhejiang Railway Dafeng Chemical Co., Ltd. is one of the key enterprises in chemical industry of Zhejiang Transportation Investment Group Co. The company specializes in the research, development, production and sales of PC, and has independent intellectual property rights of PC manufacturing technology.

　　The company's first phase of 100,000 tons/year PC combined plant was completed and put into operation at the end of 2014. The company adopts the green, safe, non-toxic and clean non-phosgene PC production process. The whole process of non-phosgene route avoids the generation of phosgene from the source. The overall planning capacity of the project is 300,000 tons/year.

　　Technology route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity:100,000 tons/year.

　　11. Yang Coal Group Qingdao Hengyuan Chemical.

　　Yang Coal Group Qingdao Hengyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. was established in January 1999 and is the largest supplier of anthracite coal production in China. Yang Coal Group Qingdao Hengyuan Chemical's annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of polycarbonate project is expected to be put into operation in December 2021.

　　Technology route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity:100,000 tons/year.

　　12. China Blue National Plastics.

　　Ltd., Lutianhua (Group) Co., Sichuan Tianhua Co., Sichuan Lutianhua Co., Ltd. and Luzhou Lanchen New Material Co., Ltd. is specialized in the research and development, production, sales and service of polycarbonate materials.

　　The company plans to build 600,000 tons/year polycarbonate industry chain project, which is a key construction project in Sichuan Province. The total investment for the first phase of 2×100,000 tons plant is 2.7 billion RMB, and the first set of 100,000 tons plant will be completed and put into operation in 2019.

　　Technical route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity:100,000 tons/year.

　　13. Hubei Ganning Petrochemicals.

　　Hubei Ganning Petrochemical New Material Co., Ltd. was established in January 2017, mainly producing polycarbonate, diphenyl carbonate and other new chemical material products.

　　The company's project is constructed in two phases. The first phase project started in January 2018 with an investment of 1 billion yuan, with a new annual production of 70,000 tons of polycarbonate process plant and 60,000 tons of diphenyl carbonate process plant. The second phase of the project will be implemented after the stable operation of the equipment of the first phase. After the completion of the two phases, the annual production capacity of 300,000 tons of polycarbonate can be formed. The company's Phase I polycarbonate project was put into operation in August 2019.

　　Technology route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 70,000 tons/year.

　　14. Sinopec Mitsubishi Chemical.

　　Sinopec Mitsubishi Chemical Polycarbonate (Beijing) Co., Ltd (SMP) was established in 2009 as a joint venture between a Japanese company (PCRIJ) and Sinopec, jointly funded by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) and Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corporation (MEP).

　　Using Mitsubishi Chemical technology, Sinopec Mitsubishi Chemical (SMP) has constructed a 150,000 ton/year bisphenol A (BPA) plant, a 60,000 ton/year polycarbonate (PC) plant and related ancillary facilities at Sinopec's Beijing Yanshan Branch.

　　Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) announced on May 8, 2021 that it reached an agreement with Sinopec Corporation, in which MCC decided to transfer all the shares of SMP held by PCRIJ to Sinopec, and Sinopec holds 100% of Sinopec Mitsubishi Chemical.

　　Technology route: Non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 60,000 tons/year.

　　15. Zhejiang Petrochemical.

　　Zhejiang Petrochemical Co., Ltd. was established in June 2015 and is a mixed-ownership enterprise with private enterprise holding and state-owned enterprise participation. The company invested in the construction of 40 million tons/year refining and chemical integration project located in Zhoushan, with a total investment of 173 billion yuan, producing more than 20 kinds of petrochemical products such as VI gas and diesel, jet coal, xylene (PX), high-end polyolefin and polycarbonate.

　　The project will be implemented in two phases: Phase I will process 20 million tons of crude oil per year, produce 5.2 million tons of aromatics per year and 1.4 million tons of ethylene per year. The second phase will process 20 million tons of crude oil per year, produce 6.6 million tons of aromatics per year and 2.8 million tons of ethylene per year.

　　Technical route: Non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 260,000 tons/year (under construction)

　　16. Zhongsha (Tianjin) Petrochemical.

　　Ltd. was established in 2009, which is a large petrochemical enterprise jointly funded by Sinopec Corporation and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation with 50:50 equity ratio. Its main business includes ethylene and its derivative 10,000 tons/year ethylene and supporting projects, which was put into operation in January 2010.

　　Sinopec's 260,000 tons/year polycarbonate project covers a total area of 66.1 hectares, of which the first phase covers 53.3 hectares, with a total investment of 10.183 billion yuan, and construction started in 2018. The project adopts SABIC's non-photo-gas melting process and builds two new PC production lines with a capacity of 130,000 tons/year, which is the first domestic production process using SABIC's non-photo-gas melting shrinkage method.

　　On December 1, 2021, the first line PC plant of Sino-Saudi (Tianjin) Petrochemical Company's polycarbonate project successfully produced qualified polycarbonate pellets, marking the successful trial run of the first line PC plant feed of Sino-Saudi (Tianjin) polycarbonate project.

　　Technical route: Non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 260,000 tons/year (under construction)

17. Hainan Huasheng.

　　Ltd, invested by Huasheng Group, was established in 2000. At present, the business fields of Huasheng Group include cement, clinker, commercial concrete, plates, photovoltaic, new chemical materials, real estate, business management, logistics, culture and education.

　　Located in Dongfang Lingang Industrial Park, Dongfang City, Hainan Province, the Huasheng Polymerization PC Project has a planned site of 2,422 mu and a total investment of 17.5 billion RMB. The PC non-optical molten ester exchange method technology is used to create the world's largest single PC unit.

　　In December 2018, Hainan Huasheng non-photogas polycarbonate project was launched, introducing the latest diphenyl carbonate (DPC) plant and PC plant from abroad to build 2×260,000 tons/year non-photogas polycarbonate project, which is scheduled to be put into operation in July 2021.

　　Technical route: non-phosgene ester exchange method.

　　PC capacity: 260,000 tons/year (under construction)

　　As the only transparent plastic among the five engineering plastics, polycarbonate has excellent overall performance and is rapidly growing in various fields of application. With China becoming the largest industrial manufacturing country, market demand has driven the rapid development and growth of China's PC industry. In addition to direct use in injection molding, board and film materials, PC can also be mixed with other resins in alloy or modified with additives to further improve performance, such as mixing with ABS to improve handling and gap sensitivity, mixing with PMMA to improve scratch and weather resistance, and adding special flame retardants to make thin-walled transparent flame retardant PC. Within three years, China's PC production capacity will exceed 3 million tons and market competition will become fierce.