Recently, reporters learned from a catalysis technology company that two key new products developed in-house—ammonia synthesis catalysts and benzene partial hydrogenation co-catalysts—have transitioned from the laboratory to industrial-scale production, leveraging their superior performance and the advantages of domestic manufacturing to accelerate the replacement of imported alternatives.

Ammoniation catalysts are critical intermediates in the synthesis of nylon 66, as they enable the catalytic hydrogenation of adiponitrile to produce hexamethylenediamine, which is then used to manufacture nylon 66 salt. For a long time, China’s nylon 66 industry has been heavily reliant on imported core raw materials, exposing it to significant “chokepoint” risks. After three years of intensive R&D, the company’s team successfully broke through foreign technological barriers—starting from scratch—to overcome key challenges related to catalyst activity and stability, ultimately developing an ammoniation catalyst synthesized from caprolactam and ammonia. This catalyst facilitates the efficient ammoniation–dehydration reaction to produce the target product, with a conversion rate consistently around 50% and a selectivity exceeding 97.5%, achieving performance levels that are on par with international best practices.

Currently, the company’s annual production of ammoniation catalysts has reached 200 metric tons, helping downstream nylon-66 producers reduce costs and improve efficiency. Leveraging the group’s competitive advantage in caprolactam capacity, the catalysis technology company has established a new, fully self-controlled raw-material supply chain, thereby driving the group’s nylon materials from “catching up” to “leading.”

Another new product, a benzene partial hydrogenation promoter, can participate in a variety of chemical reaction processes. Compared with conventional benzene partial hydrogenation catalysts, these promoters enable precise control over the active-site structure of the main catalyst, significantly enhancing reaction efficiency and stability while effectively suppressing side reactions.

Currently, the company’s benzene partial hydrogenation co-catalyst boasts a purity exceeding 99.99%. Owing to its ultra-high purity and stable performance, it has successfully completed import substitution trials at a leading enterprise in southern China. Test results demonstrate that the product’s catalytic efficiency is on par with imported counterparts, while total costs are reduced by 20%, thereby effectively breaking the technological monopoly held by foreign firms in the high-end additives market. At present, the company has an annual production capacity of 150 metric tons of benzene partial hydrogenation co-catalyst and has entered into an annual supply contract with a customer in southern China.

These two achievements are the result of the company’s sustained R&D investment and technological accumulation. According to available information, last year the company’s R&D expenditure exceeded RMB 24 million, accounting for nearly 6% of its revenue. Through platform co-development and industry–university–research collaboration, the company has established a comprehensive intellectual property system spanning raw-material preparation, catalyst R&D, and process optimization, thereby continuously strengthening its technological advantages.