China Energy Achieves Breakthrough with First Customized Catalyst in Unipol Polypropylene Plant Performance Boost Exceeds 5 Percent

On July 7, 2025, China Coal Shaanxi Energy & Chemical Group announced a major leap in polypropylene production: its first custom-designed catalyst, co-developed with Liaoning Dingjide Petrochemical, has been successfully implemented in the company’s Unipol PP unit. This innovation marks a strategic advance in breaking the monopoly of catalyst supply and building a more diversified technology platform.

The custom catalyst, formulated after years of joint R&D, is tailored for high-load, long-cycle operations—a signature of China Coal Yulin’s facilities. By closely analyzing plant data and optimizing catalyst structure and polymerization kinetics, the team developed a unique solution that passed multiple rounds of industrial testing.

Trial results reveal over 5% improvement in catalyst activity retention under high-load conditions compared to conventional products. The polymerization process is smoother, with temperature gradients within ±1°C, significantly reducing local overheating risks. Fines content has dropped, minimizing equipment clogging and laying the foundation for stable, long-term operation. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrates a slower activity decay rate, opening new opportunities for energy savings.

This achievement goes beyond simply replacing foreign suppliers—it establishes a customization model for China’s polypropylene sector. The technical lead emphasized that this breakthrough not only lowers procurement costs but also shatters long-standing technical barriers, offering a replicable “Yulin Solution” for the industry. It marks a pivotal step from “replacement” to “customization” in China’s polyolefin catalyst journey, injecting fresh momentum into the nation’s self-reliant chemical supply chain.