Yulin energy industrial park advances low-carbon development

An integrated research tour kicked off on August 20, with its first stop at Yulin Economic and Technological Development Zone in Yulin, a city in Northwest China’s Shaanxi province known for its rich energy resources.

Established in February 1999 with the approval of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government, Yulin Economic and Technological Development Zone serves as a provincial-level economic development zone and the core carrier of Yulin National Energy and Chemical Industry Base.

Since the 14th Five Year Plan period (2021-25), the zone has followed a development path centered on advancing the coal chemical industry in a high-end, diversified, and low-carbon direction. It has taken a rigorous approach to project investment, prioritized major projects, worked to upgrade industries, and strengthened industrial chains to accelerate construction and growth.

On August 20, the research team went deep into the park, enterprises, and workshops in the zone to investigate the construction achievements of the area since the 14th Five Year Plan.

The team visited enterprises such as CHN Energy Yulin Chemical Co Ltd, Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Yulin Chemical Co Ltd, and Yulin Hengshen New Materials Co Ltd to explore practical paths for promoting the transformation of modern coal chemical systems in enterprises.

At CHN Energy Yulin Chemical, a 50,000-ton-per-year polyglycolic acid (PGA) demonstration project transforms "black coal" into environmentally friendly new materials. At Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Yulin Chemical, the 15-million-ton-per-year clean and efficient coal grading conversion project uses independent technology to produce new energy materials and build a coupled "coal-chemical-new energy" industrial chain. Meanwhile, Yulin Hengshen New Materials is pressing ahead with the construction of a 20,000-ton high-performance carbon fiber production base.

These practices showcase the transformation of Yulin Economic and Technological Development Zone from a “high-carbon park” to a model of low-carbon development, while also highlighting its solid progress in fostering new quality productive forces and building a modern industrial system through technological innovation.

By the end of 2024, Yulin Economic and Technological Development Zone had recorded 30.63 billion yuan ($4.28 billion) in fixed-asset investment and an industrial output value of 110.28 billion yuan. It has developed a modern coal chemical industry landscape featuring two projects valued at over 100 billion yuan, four projects exceeding 10 billion yuan, and a range of fine chemical projects.