China’s polyethylene naphthalate relies on imports, Japan’s Teijin monopolizes the market

Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is a thermoplastic polyester with excellent properties. It has certain similarities in structure and properties with polyethylene naphthalate (PET), but the molecular chain of PEN polyester has certain similarities. The naphthalene ring is larger and more rigid than the benzene ring on the PET polyester molecular chain, so PEN has superior performance in terms of waterproofness, heat resistance, gas barrier properties, UV resistance, chemical resistance, and radiation resistance. in PET.

The synthesis route of polyethylene naphthalate is similar to that of PET. It can be divided into direct esterification method and transesterification method, which is composed of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDCA) or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid. It is formed by esterification or transesterification of dimethyl ester (NDC) monomer and ethylene glycol (EG) and then polycondensation. Due to its excellent properties, PEN is widely used in fields such as films, fibers, packaging materials, engineering materials, and electrical materials.

In foreign countries, Japan’s earliest research on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) was carried out by Teijin Company in 1964. In 1971, Teijin Company built a small production line with an annual output of 70-80 tons specifically for the production of PEN films. In 1993, a 4000t/a PEN film production line was built and named “Teonex”; in 1994, Shell Chemical Company realized industrial production of PEN and produced fiber-grade PEN resin with the trade name “Vituf”; in the same year, Eastman Kodak Completed the industrial production of PEN homopolymer chips, which can be used in high-performance fibers and films, with the brand number 14991. Domestic Sichuan University and Dongfang Insulation Materials Factory have trial-produced PEN. The Product Technology Development Center of Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. has conducted research on the synthesis and industrialization of PEN. The Guilin Electrical Apparatus Research Institute has synthesized PEN and used it to manufacture Class F insulation. Material.

The demand for polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) products in my country mainly depends on imports. Although many domestic companies have conducted a lot of research on PEN products, there are many substitutes for PEN products and they are non-essential products, so the relevant The production enthusiasm of enterprises or research units has been affected. According to the“Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Industry Market Depth 2020-2025” released by the Industrial Research Center Research and Investment Prospects Forecast Analysis Report shows that the main global supply area of ​​PEN is Japan. In 2019, my country’s import volume of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) products was only dozens of tons.

In recent years, as the popularity of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) continues to grow, the demand for PEN products in my country is increasing day by day, and PEN relies on its advantages in waterproofing, heat resistance, gas barrier, UV resistance, chemical resistance, and radiation resistance. Its advantages have gradually replaced PET products in some mid-to-high-end fields, especially in areas such as food, cosmetics, and beverages that are in close contact with the human body. Industrial researchers said that global PEN production and technology are mainly controlled by Teijin of Japan, Royal Dutch Shell, Eastman Chemical of the United States, etc. In the hands of enterprises, my country’s PEN industry urgently needs to break foreign monopoly and establish PEN production lines with independent intellectual property rights. It is of great significance to vigorously develop and develop domestic PEN products, and the industry has broad prospects.