China plans to produce polyester using coal: Report

15 Apr '13

2 min read

China, the largest textile producing country, is planning to develop textile raw materials, such as olefin and polyester, using coal in order to reduce its dependence on imported petroleum, according to South Korea- based recent report released by LG Economic Research Institute.

The research report ‘The Commercialization of New Processes in China Is Leading to a Revival of Coal Chemistry’ states that China is the largest producer of coal and the country has made huge investments in its research on coal chemical technology recently, which will increase high quality coal using facilities in the country, South Korean daily The Hankyoreh reported.

Over the last 30 years, several countries have done research and development on producing chemical products with coal, but as the coal products could create more pollution than petroleum products it had less economic possibility.

Besides the negative impact on coal-based chemical products, the main reasons for China’s research on the subject are to boost the country’s industrial growth by utilizing the rich coal deposits and by reducing dependence on imported petroleum and to achieve the country’s goal of energy security. China is planning to replace 20 percent of its petrochemical products including olefin with coal by 2016, the report stated.

Olefin is a synthetic fiber made from a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene and it is used to manufacture sports & active wear, socks, thermal innerwear and lining fabrics.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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