The ethylene industry has achieved a “zero‑to‑one” breakthrough, with the million‑ton‑per‑year ethylene project completed and put into operation.

On February 22, according to the China Petrochemical Corporation’s press office, on the 21st, the flagship unit of the 1-million-ton-per-year ethylene project—the ethylene plant—successfully completed its feed‑in and startup, with the entire process flow seamlessly integrated. The project achieved a first‑time, full‑process startup and produced qualified products. The commissioning of this project marks a “zero‑to‑one” breakthrough in the ethylene industry; once operational, it is expected to stimulate downstream industries worth over RMB 100 billion, thereby providing strong support for the development of the free trade port.

The project’s environmental performance indicators have reached internationally advanced levels. With an investment of RMB 2.2 billion, it has constructed high-standard, state-of-the-art environmental protection facilities and deployed cutting-edge safety and eco-friendly production technologies and equipment. Throughout the construction phase, great emphasis was placed on safeguarding local historical heritage, including ancient trees and historic wells; a total of 14 ancient trees, some as old as 220 years, were preserved. This ensured the harmonious coexistence of these venerable natural and cultural landmarks with the new ethylene plant, fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of industrial development and cultural heritage, and achieving a balanced synergy between petrochemical facilities and pristine waters and skies.

Ethylene is known as the “mother of the petrochemical industry,” with over 70% of basic organic chemical feedstocks originating from ethylene production facilities. This project is a key initiative for both Hainan Province and Sinopec, comprising a 1-million-ton-per-year ethylene cracking unit and ten downstream chemical processing units, with total investment exceeding RMB 28.6 billion. During the construction phase, it helped create employment for more than 30,000 people.

The project employs multiple technologies independently developed by Sinopec, with design economic indicators at an internationally advanced level. The 1-million‑ton‑per‑year ethylene plant utilizes Sinopec’s proprietary million‑ton‑class integrated ethylene technology; specifically, the cracking furnace is based on Sinopec’s CBL technology, and the separation process adopts Sinopec’s Low‑Energy Consumption Ethylene Separation Technology (LECT). Compared with similar technologies from other international licensors, Sinopec’s million‑ton‑class integrated ethylene technology integrates cutting‑edge unit processes and implements comprehensive energy optimization across the entire production flow, exhibiting notable advantages such as a streamlined process, ease of operation, enhanced safety and stability, and reduced capital investment. Key technical and economic performance metrics are all at an internationally advanced level. Moreover, through optimized feedstock and process configurations, the plant has increased feedstock flexibility and operational adaptability, thereby maximizing overall economic benefits.

Innovative construction methods were implemented, setting new records across multiple projects. Faced with challenges such as the project’s large scale, high installation complexity, and tight schedule, the contractor systematically deployed factory‑based prefabrication, modular construction, and mechanized operations, along with a suite of cutting‑edge techniques. Notably, 82 large tower units were lifted into place in just 111 days; a 4,000‑ton crane completed the entire sequence—from lifting the first piece to dismantling and departing—within 40 days; and at peak, monthly welding output reached an astonishing 800,000 inch‑diameters, all breaking previous benchmarks for similar projects. Furthermore, the polypropylene (STPP) and high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) plants achieved successful commissioning less than two months after handover, establishing a new benchmark for rapid construction and high‑quality handover within the company’s portfolio.