Wanhua Showcases Zero-carbon Technologies at COP29

Wanhua highlighted its innovative approaches to addressing environmental pollution and global warming challenges, contributing to a carbon-neutral future.

Mr. Liao Zengtai, chairman of Wanhua, commented, "With our corporate mission of Advancing Chemistry, Transforming Lives, Wanhua is committed to using the power of chemistry to drive our own transformation while providing solutions to common challenges facing the world and contributing to a sustainable future."

Wanhua Chemical Hehai Comprehensive Energy Project has introduced the world's first integrated intelligent thermal energy technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Utilizing advanced technologies, like corrugated plate absorption heat pumps, centrifugal heat pumps, and mechanical vapor recompression (MVR), the system recycles waste heat from Yantai Industrial Park.

This reclaimed heat provides high-quality thermal energy for production processes and supplies a clean heating source for Yantai city in winter. By enabling effective use of low-temperature waste heat, this approach supports the sustainable development of the chemical industry, lowering emissions and enhancing air quality.

In 2023, the project achieved its goal of supplying heating of 10 million square meters for residential use, with a full production set to reduce coal use by 2.6 million tons and heat 64 million square meters annually and is capable of adopting and promoting on a larger scale.

Saving 710 Mn kWh and Cutting 700,000 Tons of CO₂ Annually

Wanhua's diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) technology uses wastewater recycling to efficiently process high-concentration amine-containing waste brine, reducing brine emissions by 3 million tons and cutting carbon emissions by 140,000 tons annually.

Additionally, hydrogen chloride (HCl) oxidation cycle technology reuses HCl by converting it into high-purity chlorine for the MDI production process. This approach cuts electricity uses from 1,250 kWh to 245 kWh per ton of chlorine, saving 710 million kWh and reducing CO₂ emissions by about 700,000 tons each year.

Polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have established recycling methods, yet over 78% of waste plastics remain unrecyclable. In the home appliance sector alone, over 5 million tons of polyurethane foam are incinerated or landfilled annually, contributing to pollution.

Wanhua's alcoholysis technology enables polyurethane foam recycling, recovering up to 30% of polyol without product degradation. Global brands have expressed interest in partnering on this innovation.