In a breakthrough for sustainable chemistry, Econic Technologies has announced that its partner Changhua Chemical has launched the world’s first commercial-scale production site for polycarbonate ether (PCE) polyols, a new class of polyols made from carbon dioxide. 

 

Branded as Carnol, the products leverage Econic’s proprietary technology to deliver high performance with a 30% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional polyols.

 

The new plant, located in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, will produce approximately 80,000 tons of Carnol in 2026, with plans to scale production to over one million tons in the coming years.

 

Carnol polyols are designed for polyurethane foams, coatings, elastomers, and other applications, offering both environmental and performance benefits. Flexible foams made with Carnol boast lower carbon emissions, enhanced load-bearing, and superior tensile strength compared to industry benchmarks. Other applications include lightweight automotive parts, protective apparel and footwear, and insulating construction materials.

 

“The opening of this plant is a watershed moment for the chemical industry. It demonstrates the industrial readiness of captured carbon utilization. Now brand owners and manufacturers across the whole value chain can reduce their carbon footprint by using captured CO2 as a sustainable raw material. 

 

"Together with Changhua Chemical we are creating value from something that was once waste and paving the way for broad adoption of this technology in the polyurethanes market and beyond,” said Keith Wiggins, CEO of Econic Technologies.

 

“China’s chemical sector has an opportunity to help deliver global sustainability goals. At Changhua Chemical, we are proud to lead this transformation for the polyurethanes industry. As we bring our new plant online, we aim to drive the transition to this green technology. This market-based industrial model, utilizing readily available CO2, is replicable and will be sustainably scaled to decarbonize without compromising performance,” said Gu, Chairman and Owner of Changhua Group.

 

This landmark plant signals a major step toward industrial-scale carbon utilization, proving that eco-friendly materials can meet real-world performance standards while cutting emissions.