China advances ‘biodegradable polyester elastomer’ project

Rudong, China – Chinese technology group Jiangsu Henghui Security has begun trial production at the first phase of its planned 110 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) “biodegradable polyester elastomer” project, according to a 27 Jan investor Q&A.

The project follows a “one-time planning, three-phase construction” model and the first phase has a nameplate capacity of 10ktpa.

Production line integration and trial manufacturing have now begun at the site, said the group noting that construction work on the plant started in August 2024.

The project is being developed by Henghui’s majority-owned subsidiary Hengnuo New Materials Co. Ltd. at the Yangkou Port Industrial Zone in Rudong.

The “bio-based biodegradable polyester rubber” is billed as a new generation of biodegradable green material, originally developed by Zhang Liqun, an academician at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), according to previous disclosures by Henghui.

In 2023, Henghui entered a partnership deal with the Chinese university and other local partners to scale up the production of the elastomer and advance R&D activities on green chemistry and rubber materials.

According to the local press, the material is developed using succinic acid, sebacic acid and 1,4-butanediol via continuous esterification and polycondensation processes.

Under industrial composting conditions, it is claimed that “more than 70%” of the material can decompose into water and carbon dioxide within 130 days, according to the company.

Henghui said the elastomer is being positioned for use in tire manufacturing concepts, footwear materials, gloves, shock-absorbing materials, PVC toughening, controlled-degradation tire tread applications and medical biodegradable bone wax.