The backwardness of process technology and equipment has become the bottleneck of the bottleneck and the need for fine chemicals to accelerate innovation
Kunshan Muchun Electric Co., LTD , https://www.muchunelectric.com
At present, the outdated preparation processes and aging equipment in China's chemical intermediates and fine chemical industries have become major obstacles to their sustainable development. Addressing these challenges and accelerating technological innovation to close the gap with developed nations has become a central topic at the first Organic Intermediates and Fine Chemical Science and Technology Week held last week.
Experts participating in the event emphasized that organic intermediates and fine chemicals are highly technology-driven sectors. While China is now capable of producing most of the necessary chemical intermediates and fine chemical products, and holds a notable position in the global market, the industry still lags behind in terms of process optimization and advanced equipment technology. High-quality, high-value products are still largely imported, which highlights the competitiveness gap between Chinese and foreign companies.
Another critical issue raised by the experts is environmental pollution. A recent survey in Zhejiang Province revealed that the "three wastes" emissions from traditional fine chemical companies account for nearly 40% of the total petrochemical industry's emissions. In Jiangsu, several firms were shut down due to severe environmental violations. If these problems remain unresolved, they could significantly hinder the long-term growth of the sector.
To enhance the level of production processes and equipment technology, enterprises and research institutions must take the lead in innovation, promoting joint efforts through production, education, and research collaborations. The government and industry associations should also play an active role in policy-making, planning, and support. Strengthening the exchange of scientific and technological information is equally important. Currently, the sector faces challenges such as insufficient investment, small enterprise scale, lack of clear policy guidance, and limited access to cost-effective technologies—issues that need urgent attention.
Since the 1990s, as environmental pressures increased in Western countries, the global organic intermediates and fine chemical industry has gradually shifted eastward, with China and India emerging as key players. According to recent data, China now produces over 20,000 types of organic intermediates and fine chemicals, with an annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan.
The first Organic Intermediates and Fine Chemical Science and Technology Week, co-organized by the China National Chemical Industry Economic and Technological Development Center and the China Chemical Industry Intermediate Network, aims to create a more efficient information platform. This initiative encourages collaboration among all stakeholders, fostering broader exchanges and driving technological advancement in the sector. It is expected that this event will be held annually to sustain momentum and promote continuous progress.