In China, Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical (Sailboat) has announced the start of commercial operation of a new carbonates plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province in November 2024. The plant uses technology licensed from Asahi Kasei Corporation for the production of high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with carbon dioxide (CO2) as the main raw material. Both carbonates are used as electrolyte solvents in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
In the early 2000s, Asahi Kasei developed process technology to produce various chemical products using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a main raw material.
The technology has been licensed to chemical companies globally, with the first licensee starting the production of polycarbonate using CO2 in 2002.
Since then, Asahi Kasei has been expanding its expertise in the field of CO2-based production of resins and other chemicals, including carbonates.
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical (Sailboat) was founded in 2010 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sheng Hong Holding Group to produce high-end petrochemicals.
Sheng Hong Holding Group is an international high-tech industrial group with integrated development of the whole industrial chain of petrochemical refining, new energy, new materials, and high-end textiles.
Essential materials
Ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) are two essential materials for the production of lithium-ion battery electrolytes.
In addition, reducing the carbon footprint of products (CFP) for materials and components is a major challenge for manufacturers worldwide.
Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to continue increasing due to the global shift to EVs in the automotive industry and the greater use of electric power storage systems (ESS) in conjunction with the growing use of renewable energy.
License agreement
In September 2021, Asahi Kasei and Sailboat signed a license agreement for process technology to produce 38,000 tonnes of high-purity EC and 70,000 tonnes of high-purity DMC annually.
The two parties jointly performed the design, construction, and commissioning of a production plant.
Having started commercial operations in November 2024, the plant has the capacity to use 54,000 tonnes of CO2 per year as feedstock.
By producing high-purity EC and DMC for lithium-ion battery electrolytes, Sailboat will further expand the value chain for this industry and contribute to a sustainable society, commented Xu Jiale, Project Director of Sailboat for Carbonates (EC/DMC).
With several licensees now adopting this process technology for the large-scale production of high-purity carbonates using CO2 as feedstock, the total amount of CO2 used as feedstock is approximately 300,000 tonnes annually, including the production of polycarbonate as well as carbonates.
By licensing this technology for more sustainable production of these important materials, we will continue to focus on the practical application of our expertise in the field of CO2 chemistry and contribute to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s environmental challenges, said Hiroyoshi Matsuyama, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and President of its Environmental Solutions SBU.
