Core Viewpoint - Kuraray, a Japanese chemical giant, announced the global launch of its 100% bio-based ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) product "Circular Eval" by 2025, marking a significant breakthrough in sustainable EVOH materials [1] Group 1: EVOH Overview - Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) is produced through the polymerization and saponification of ethylene and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), known for its excellent gas barrier properties [2] - The market price of EVOH is approximately 45 yuan per kilogram, primarily used in high-end packaging applications such as food and pharmaceutical packaging, multi-layer composite bottles, automotive fuel tanks, and underfloor heating pipes [3] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Global EVOH production capacity is projected to reach 214,500 tons per year in 2024, with China accounting for only 42,500 tons, indicating a high operating rate and a supply-demand imbalance [5] - Sinopec's Chuanwei completed the commissioning of a 12,000 tons/year industrial facility in mid-2024, filling a significant supply gap for EVOH in mainland China [6] - China primarily relies on imports for EVOH, mainly from Japan, and despite the acceleration of domestic industrial facility construction, it still cannot meet the domestic market demand [7] Group 3: Bio-based EVOH Development - Traditional EVOH relies on petroleum-based ethylene, while Kuraray's new bio-based EVOH uses renewable raw materials from plants, maintaining the same barrier performance while reducing carbon footprint [8] - The core of industrialization for bio-based EVOH lies in addressing the scalability and economic viability of bio-based ethylene production [9] Group 4: Bio-based Ethylene Insights - Bio-based ethylene represents a new pathway for ethylene production, derived from renewable biomass resources such as crop residues and wood cellulose, through advanced biotechnological and chemical conversion processes [10] - Compared to petroleum-based ethylene, bio-based ethylene significantly reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers carbon dioxide emissions, offering notable environmental advantages [11] Group 5: Technological Pathways - Various synthesis methods for bio-based ethylene include dehydration of bioethanol, dehydration of biopropanol, methanol-to-olefins (MTO), and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, each facing technological and cost challenges [13] - The predominant method currently is the dehydration of bioethanol, which needs to address issues related to non-food source preparation and scalability [14] Group 6: Future Outlook - With advancements in technology and application expansion, the bio-based ethylene sector is expected to experience rapid growth, driving the development of a series of downstream high-value materials [15]