Sulzer has completed a key milestone at BeyondPoly’s new 100,000-ton-per-year polyolefin elastomer (POE) plant in China, with its DEVO purification technology now operating at the facility’s planned production capacity.
BeyondPoly and Sulzer have signed the final acceptance certificate for the DEVO purification unit, confirming that the system has been installed, tested and is operating as intended.
The technology performs a critical purification step in POE production, removing residual compounds from the material to help deliver the consistent quality required for demanding applications including solar panels, electric vehicles, energy storage systems and advanced manufacturing.
POE is a high-performance polymer that combines the strength and processability of plastics with the elasticity and durability of rubber. Its exceptional optical clarity and high light transmittance also make it particularly valuable in applications such as solar panels.
The material is increasingly used where products must withstand temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress and long operating lifetimes, including electric vehicles, energy storage systems and cables.
Often described in Chinese media as “industrial gold”, POE has seen rapidly growing demand alongside the expansion of these industries. BeyondPoly’s new facility, with annual production capacity of 100,000 tons, adds significant new domestic capacity to China’s supply of the material.
"The successful ramp-up and rapid achievement of design production capacity demonstrate the value of proven devolatilization technology in large-scale POE production. We are pleased to have supported BeyondPoly in bringing this important new capacity into reliable commercial operation while achieving key objectives for product quality, process efficiency and operational stability," said Tim Schulten, Division President Chemtech at Sulzer.
Residual compounds remain in POE during production and must be removed before the material can be used in demanding applications. Sulzer’s DEVO purification technology is designed to carry out this step while preserving the properties that make POE valuable.
The system is designed to help producers achieve consistent product quality, low residual volatile content and energy-efficient operation at industrial scale.
BeyondPoly selected Sulzer’s technology based on its track record in similar applications, its ability to achieve lower residual volatile content and its lower energy consumption compared with alternative technologies.
"Our collaboration with Sulzer has been a seamless and rewarding experience. Their equipment delivers advanced technology and reliable performance of the leading quality, while the team’s professional guidance and attentive service exceeded our expectations. We truly value this efficient and trust-based partnership”, said Zhao Yongchen, General Manager of BeyondPoly.
For Sulzer, the project adds a major reference in one of the world’s fastest-growing polymer markets and strengthens its position as a technology partner in the expanding POE sector.