SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) Technology
SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) technology is a process that produces ethylene glycol (a key raw material for polyester manufacturing) from syngas, using non-petroleum-based feedstocks. A wide range of raw materials can be utilized, including coal, natural gas, and industrial off-gases. This eco-friendly technology is attracting increasing attention for its effective use of various waste gases and its potential for CO2 reduction. In addition, active research and development are underway for the production of ethylene glycol from biomass feedstocks and CO2.
A Process with Low Environmental Impact and High Economic Efficiency
Traditionally, ethylene glycol has been produced mainly via the "ethylene process," which uses petroleum as a feedstock. However, the carbon atom utilization rate in this process is only 70%, with one-fourth emitted as CO2. In contrast, the SEG® process achieves a carbon atom utilization rate of 95%, providing a process that is both environmentally friendly and highly economical. As a result, half of the ethylene glycol produced in China is now manufactured using the SEG® process.
Track Record of Industrialization
To date, there have been a total of 23 SEG® technology license agreements concluded, with a combined production capacity reaching approximately 10 million tons per year. Of this, more than 6 million tons are already in commercial operation. In addition to energy sources such as coal and natural gas, off-gases generated during carbide and steel manufacturing processes can also be utilized.
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Globally Expanding Technology Licensing Business
Building on its superior marketing and technological capabilities, HighChem is expanding its licensing activities globally, bringing advanced Japanese technologies to regions around the world and achieving real-world implementation. In November 2024, HighChem inherited the intellectual property rights for caprolactam production technology via vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement from Sumitomo Chemical. The company is now expanding licensing activities in China and other parts of the world.
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