Introduction: A Historic Leap from Import Dependence to Independent Control
Polybutene-1 (PB-1), hailed as the "gold of plastics" for its exceptional creep resistance, stress crack resistance, and impact performance, is widely used in high-end pipelines, food packaging, medical devices, and other fields. For decades, the global market was dominated by international giants such as LyondellBasell (Netherlands) and Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), with China relying entirely on imports for high-end products. This changed in 2022, when Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical’s 3,000-ton/year industrial demonstration plant for highly isotactic polybutene-1 began stable operation. China became the fourth country globally—and the first in China—to achieve continuous and stable PB-1 production, marking a shift from "catching up" to "leading" in the field of high-end polyolefins.

I. Technological Breakthroughs: 11 Years of R&D to Overcome "Chokepoint" Technologies

The success of Sinopec’s PB-1 is no accident. Since 2010, a joint research team comprising the Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry, Zhenhai Refining & Chemical, and East China University of Science and Technology has tackled core challenges in PB-1’s basic theory, high-performance catalysts, and homogeneous bulk polymerization technology. By optimizing product toughness through controlling isotacticity (98%-99.5%), domestic PB-1’s impact strength reached 95% of imported products. A breakthrough liquid-phase bulk polymerization process was developed, significantly reducing production costs.

After the plant’s completion in September 2021, the team faced challenges unique to the world’s first industrial-scale attempt: difficulties in polyolefin solution processing and narrow process windows. Following over six months of debugging, qualified products were officially produced in February 2022, achieving the leap from laboratory to industrialization. Today, the plant has operated stably for three years, with 28 national invention patents filed and a complete system of independent intellectual property rights.

Key Technological Advantages:

· Enhanced Crystalline Transformation Efficiency: Modified with nucleating agents, the transformation time from metastable Form II to stable Form I was reduced from 7-10 days to 3-5 days, improving production efficiency by 57% and addressing the long cycle pain point of traditional processes.

· Superior Performance in Extreme Environments: Impact strength reaches 20 kJ/m² at -40℃C, far exceeding the low-temperature brittleness limit of PP/PE, making it suitable for heating pipelines in frigid northern regions. Under 80℃C and 4 MPa pressure, stress cracking time exceeds 1,000 hours, with design stress reaching the highest level among similar pipes, meeting industrial high-pressure requirements.

II. Market Breakthrough: From Import Substitution to Demand Leadership

Large-scale production of domestic PB-1 quickly broke international monopoly and reshaped the market landscape. In 2023, China’s PB-1 self-sufficiency rate rose from less than 40% to 60%. Global demand for PB-1 is projected to reach 220,000 tons by 2025, with growth in China’s emerging markets serving as a key driver.

Deep Development of Localized Applications:

· Civil Sector: In "coal-to-gas" projects in Shandong and Hebei provinces, domestic PB-1 pipes replaced traditional metal pipes, increasing construction efficiency by 30% with a service life of over 50 years. Certified for food contact (GB 4806.7), they are directly used in drinking water pipelines to ensure water safety.

· High-End Manufacturing: Medical catheters passed ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing, with prices 30% lower than imported equivalents, achieving import substitution in dialysis tubing and precision electronic components. Blended with PP, it triples low-temperature impact strength, enabling high-end upgrading of general plastics.

· New Energy Sector: Tailored materials for photovoltaic pipelines, adaptable to extreme temperature differences from -40℃C to 100℃C, support the "dual carbon" strategy.

Cost and Supply Chain Advantages:
Through the liquid-phase bulk polymerization process and domestic butene-1 raw material advantages, Sinopec’s PB-1 reduces unit costs by 15%-20% compared to imported products. Delivery cycles are shortened to 7-10 days (vs. 30-45 days for imports), significantly mitigating risks from global market fluctuations. In 2023, domestic total capacity reached 118,000 tons, exceeding that of international giants (115,000 tons), ensuring stable supply.

III. Industrial Upgrading: Policy Support and Standard Leadership

The rise of domestic PB-1 is strongly supported by national strategies. The 14th Five-Year Plan for Chemical New Materials Industry Development explicitly calls for "enhancing domestic production capacity of high-end polyolefins," with a target self-sufficiency rate of 70% by 2025. Sinopec led the formulation of 12 domestic industry standards, and its pipes passed ISO 15874 certification for hot water pressure testing (PN1.6MPa at 95℃C), gaining EU market access and aligning "Chinese standards" with international norms.

Environmental Protection and Sustainability:
Production meets China Environmental Label (Ten-Ring) certification requirements, with non-toxic, odorless products (density 0.94g/cm³) complying with EU RoHS directives. In agricultural water-saving irrigation, PB-1 pipes’ strong creep resistance reduces water leakage, supporting green agricultural transformation.

IV. Future Outlook: From "Made in China" to Global Benchmark

With expanding domestic capacity and continuous technological upgrading, Sinopec’s PB-1 is shifting from "import substitution" to "market leadership." In 2024, Zhenhai Refining & Chemical plans to develop 10,000-ton process packages to further reduce costs and expand into Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets. Leveraging cost-performance advantages and localized service networks, domestic PB-1 is expected to capture 60% of the global market by 2025, becoming a benchmark for China’s high-end materials going global.

Conclusion
The success of Sinopec’s PB-1 is not just a milestone in technological breakthroughs but a microcosm of independent innovation in China’s high-end manufacturing. Driven by the "dual carbon" strategy and industrial upgrading, domestic PB-1 continues to redefine the global polybutene industry with superior performance, reliable supply, and innovative services. As technology evolves and applications expand, this "plastic gold" will shine even brighter in the high-end materials sector.