On 25 September 2020, China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation organized an expert panel comprising of authoritative figures in the industry such as fellow Han Buxing from China Academy of Sciences and fellow Chen Jianfeng from China Academy of Engineering. The Federation convened an expert assessment meeting on the “Demonstration of Key Technologies and Engineering of CO₂ Hydrogenation to Methanol” project jointly developed by China BlueChemical Ltd. (hereunder “China BlueChemical”), Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of China Academy of Sciences and China Chengda Engineering Co., Ltd. in Dongfang City, Hainan Province.

The project has completed the engineering and technology development of the industry test plant as well as the engineering design of the plant. CNOOC Fudao has established the world largest CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol industry test plant (size of 5,000 tonnes/year), which has accumulatively operated over 600 hours and passed 72-hour on-site inspection.

Through this project, China BlueChemical has established its own competitive CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol technology. Upon achieving success, domestic production of synthesis gas to methanol catalyst could be realized, while it could further enhance the conversion capability of carbon dioxide, reduce carbon emission and improve the plant’s production capacity on the existing foundation.