Benefiting from the development of the new energy vehicle industry, the market demand for ethylene carbonate (EC) has increased

Ethylene carbonate (EC) is a chemical substance that appears as a white crystalline solid at room temperature. It is easily soluble in water and organic solvents such as ethanol and benzene. Ethylene carbonate has excellent properties, such as high dielectric constant, high thermal stability, low viscosity, and low volatility. It can be used as an organic solvent, active intermediate, etc., and is used in lithium battery electrolytes, lubricants, fertilizers, fibers, etc. In the pharmaceutical and other fields, lithium battery electrolyte is the most important downstream market for ethylene carbonate.

Ethylene carbonate is an important component of electrolyte solvent. In recent years, benefiting from the development of consumer electronics and new energy vehicle markets, the global ethylene carbonate market has continued to rise. According to the “2022-2026 China Ethylene Carbonate Market Analysis and Development Prospects Research Report released by the Industrial Research Center, in 2021 , the global ethylene carbonate market sales have increased to approximately US$300 million. With the development of the terminal industry, the ethylene carbonate market will further develop, and sales are expected to reach US$500 million in 2027.

The preparation process of ethylene carbonate includes phosgene method, transesterification method, ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide addition method, etc. Among them, the ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide addition method is the mainstream preparation method in the industrial field at this stage, and the process flow is ethylene oxide. It is produced by carrying out exothermic reaction of alkane and carbon dioxide under low temperature and high pressure conditions. Ethylene carbonate production capacity is relatively concentrated. East Asia is the main production area of ​​ethylene carbonate in the world, with South Korea and China as the main suppliers. In 2021, China’s ethylene carbonate industry output will be approximately 100,000 tons, accounting for approximately 50% of the world’s total. .

According to different application fields, ethylene carbonate can be divided into two categories: industrial grade and battery grade. The two types of ethylene carbonate have a relatively balanced market share. However, with the development of the new energy automobile industry, the market growth rate of battery grade ethylene carbonate is faster. Soon, the market share will further increase in the future. In the international market, battery-grade ethylene carbonate suppliers include Mitsubishi Chemical, Toagosei, etc.

my country is a major producer of ethylene carbonate. There are many related domestic manufacturers, including Shi Dashenghua, Yingkou Hengyang, Fujian Zhongke, Haike Xinyuan, Taixing Taipeng, etc. Among them, Shi Dashenghua is the largest producer of ethylene carbonate in my country and even the world. At the same time, Shi Dashenghua is also the only company in China that can provide five solvents: ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate and propylene carbonate.

Industry analysts said that ethylene carbonate is an important component of lithium battery electrolyte. In recent years, it has benefited from consumer electronics and new energy. With the development of the automobile industry, the market demand for ethylene carbonate continues to rise. my country is a major producer and consumer of ethylene carbonate. In terms of production, my country’s output accounts for about 50% of the world’s production. Domestic companies are actively developing overseas markets while deploying the domestic market.