Sumitomo Chemical Makes Breakthrough: Direct Ethanol-to-Propylene Production! Plastics Prices Weakly Fluctuate Today, Some Vary by 10-200

Sumitomo Chemical's Major Breakthrough: Direct Production of Propylene from Ethanol!

On August 20, Sumitomo Chemical announced that it has successfully constructed and launched a pilot facility using its proprietary new process to produce propylene directly from ethanol. This innovative technology is expected not only to reshape the raw material landscape of the petrochemical industry but also to be closely linked to the future development of the plastics industry.

Innovative craftsmanship, breaking traditional boundaries

In Japan, the production of propylene has traditionally relied on naphtha, a fossil resource. However, the new process introduced by Sumitomo Chemical differs from other methods that use ethanol to produce propylene, as it eliminates intermediate steps such as the production of ethylene, allowing for the direct production of propylene in a single step. This unique technological approach greatly simplifies the production process, resulting in reduced production costs. Furthermore, hydrogen is produced as a byproduct during the production of propylene. If bioethanol is used as a raw material, the hydrogen will also have a biological origin, undoubtedly offering new possibilities for the production of clean energy.

Ethanol feedstock, ushering in a new chapter of sustainability

Ethanol, as a highly promising raw material, has a wide and sustainable range of sources. Biomass such as sugarcane and corn can be used to produce ethanol. Additionally, non-food materials like pulp and, more recently, combustible waste—a research hotspot—can also become the "cradle" of ethanol. Compared to traditional fossil raw materials, these sources of ethanol have obvious environmental advantages. With continuous technological advancements, the industrialization process of large-scale ethanol production from materials such as combustible waste is on the horizon. Against the global backdrop of advocating for sustainable development, the importance of ethanol as a substitute for petrochemical raw materials is increasingly prominent.

Propylene, as a fundamental chemical raw material, is a core upstream component for various engineering plastics. For instance, propylene can be processed to produce acrylonitrile, which is then used to manufacture engineering plastics like Nylon 66; its derivatives can also participate in the synthesis of high-performance polyesters. If Sumitomo Chemical successfully commercializes the technology to produce propylene directly from ethanol, it will provide a "green source" for its engineering plastics supply chain—reducing fossil dependency and lowering carbon emissions throughout the lifecycle from the raw material stage. This not only enhances the environmental competitiveness of its existing products but also lays the foundation for developing new types of green engineering plastics, thereby further consolidating its leading position in the high-end materials market.

Sumitomo Chemical has long been an industry benchmark in the field of engineering plastics, with several of its products occupying significant market positions due to their high performance. Its liquid crystal polymer (LCP) "SUMIKASUPER" is widely used in high-end fields such as 5G communications and automotive electronics, thanks to its excellent high-temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability. The polyethersulfone (PES) material, with its outstanding heat resistance and mechanical strength, has become a key raw material for medical devices and aerospace components.

2. Today's Plastic Prices

(The above is comprehensively compiled from the New Material Research Society and Dayi You Plastic.)