To thoroughly implement the CPC Central Committee’s major decisions and arrangements for advancing new‑type industrialization, the China Federation of Industrial Economics has, in recent years, been committed to building a nationally influential platform in the industrial sector. Internationalization, digital intelligence, and green development “Collaboratively advance the work platform and service system.”

In the field of green development, in order to thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on “advancing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,” and following consultation with relevant leading officials of the Office of the National Leading Group for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality, the China Federation of Industrial Economics has, since 2022, from… Soliciting exemplary cases, conducting research and surveys, and carrying out publicity and capacity-building efforts. Research on China’s “Pioneer” enterprises for achieving peak carbon emissions in the industrial sector is being conducted across three dimensions. To date, a total of 216 leading industrial enterprises nationwide have been designated as China’s “Pioneer” firms for peaking industrial carbon emissions—42 in 2022, 63 in 2023, 65 in 2024, and 46 in 2025.

According to the work plan, with the support of relevant ministries and commissions, local governments, and industry organizations, the China Federation of Industrial Economics will launch its 2026 initiatives by the end of May and will present the research findings—along with a list—on “leading” enterprises in China’s industrial sector that have achieved peak carbon emissions at the Fifth China Industrial Peak-Carbon Forum, scheduled for year-end.

We are now publishing a series of reports highlighting exemplary corporate achievements and case studies gathered during our research, with the aim of establishing a long-term communication framework for China’s industrial carbon peaking initiative, promoting green and low‑carbon principles, and providing practical examples and actionable pathways to support local governments, industries, and enterprises in advancing industrial carbon‑peaking efforts, thereby facilitating a green, low‑carbon transformation and high‑quality industrial development.

Tianjin Dagou Chemical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Dagou Chemical” or the “Company”) is affiliated with Tianjin Bohai Chemical Group Co., Ltd. Its predecessor, the Tianjin Dagou Chemical Plant, was established in 1939. In 2004, the Company underwent a shareholding reform and was reorganized into Tianjin Dagou Chemical Co., Ltd. Today, Dagou Chemical is located in the Lingang Area of the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone, covering an area of 1.29 square kilometers. The Company operates two production sites—Tanggu and Lingang. To implement the Binhai New Area’s plan to promote urban renewal in the region where Dagou Chemical is situated, advance industry–city integration, and enhance the quality of the “Binhai City,” the Tanggu plant was shut down at the end of 2021 and entered the disposal phase, while the Lingang plant has become the Company’s primary operating base.

Dagou Chemical is committed to pursuing excellence, building a nationally recognized chemical brand, and growing into a leading domestic and world-class chemical enterprise. The company operates industry‑leading production facilities with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons of styrene and 400,000 tons of ABS resin. Its core products include ABS resin, styrene, AS resin, and HRG rubber powder, all renowned for their superior quality, stable customer base, and strong sales both at home and abroad. The “Hong Sanjing” trademark has been recognized as a Well‑Known Trademark in China.

Dagou Chemical adheres to a strategy of technology-driven innovation, strengthens the central role of scientific and technological advancement, and consistently increases its R&D investment. The company has been recognized as a “High-Tech Enterprise” and a “Corporate Technology Center,” and has repeatedly been honored as a “Demonstration Enterprise for Technological Innovation in China’s Petroleum and Chemical Industry.” Equipped with state-of-the-art office facilities and advanced testing equipment, the company focuses on developing new products, technologies, and processes, closely aligned with production operations and market demand.

Dagou Chemical adheres to the environmental philosophy of “green, low-carbon, clean, and efficient,” and is committed to building a green chemical industry. The company places green development at its core, integrates low‑carbon principles throughout its entire production process, and steadily advances carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. It continuously implements energy‑saving and emission‑reduction measures and vigorously promotes a low‑carbon transformation in energy use. In 2019, it was recognized as a “National-Level Green Factory”; in 2022, it received the honor of being designated a Performance Grade A enterprise for severe pollution weather in Tianjin; in 2023, it was awarded the title of “National-Level Healthy Enterprise”; and in 2024, it was honored as a “Tianjin Zero‑Waste Factory.” By 2025, it will become… A “leading” enterprise in China’s industrial carbon peaking efforts.

I. Implement industrial restructuring and embark on a low-carbon development path.

The Dagou Chemical Tanggu Plant was established in 1939. Over the decades, it has accumulated a long and storied history, yet this legacy has also posed significant challenges to its development. Outdated production processes and extensive, obsolete mechanical and electrical equipment have made the company’s transition to low‑carbon operations exceedingly difficult. As urban expansion has progressively encircled the Tanggu site, Dagou Chemical has faced mounting obstacles in pursuing further growth and transformation on its original premises.

To implement the Binhai New Area’s urban renewal policy in the region where Dagou Chemical is located and to further promote the company’s transformation and optimization, the Tanggu plant was shut down at the end of 2021 and entered the disposal phase. Outdated production capacities and processes, such as calcium carbide–based polyvinyl chloride, were phased out, while the Lingang plant shifted its full production capacity to high‑value‑added products like ABS resin. As a result, the company’s overall energy consumption and carbon emissions declined significantly, with energy intensity per ten thousand yuan of output and carbon emission intensity both dropping sharply: in 2021, total energy consumption stood at 555,500 tons, carbon emissions at 2.7155 million tons, and output value at RMB 15.513 billion; by 2024, these figures had fallen to 166,900 tons of energy consumption, 751,100 tons of carbon emissions, and an output value of RMB 7.681 billion. The reductions in total energy consumption and carbon emissions amounted to 69.96% and 72.34%, respectively. Meanwhile, energy intensity per ten thousand yuan of output decreased from the original 0.358 tons of standard coal per ten thousand yuan to 0.217 tons of standard coal per ten thousand yuan, underscoring the substantial success of the industrial restructuring.

II. Promote energy conservation and optimization to achieve green development

Focusing on green and low-carbon development, Dagu Chemical formulated the “Carbon Peak Action Plan of Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd.” in 2024, actively promoting energy-saving technologies, the transition to green energy, and the growth of green industries. The company encourages and supports the implementation of various projects, including cascaded utilization of waste heat and waste pressure, efficiency upgrades for key energy-consuming equipment, and distributed photovoltaic systems.

In the realm of green electricity utilization, Dagou Chemical has aligned itself with Tianjin’s power‑sector reform, actively participating in the market‑based trading of green power and steadily increasing its share of renewable energy. In 2023, it purchased 3,604 MWh of green electricity; in 2024, this rose to 5,617 MWh; and by 2025, it plans to procure 170,000 MWh. Green electricity now accounts for 50% of its total power consumption, resulting in a reduction of 97,403 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

In the green‑industry sector, Dagou Chemical has been actively exploring photovoltaic applications. In 2023, it launched the first phase of a rooftop PV project, installing solar panels on the roofs of its spare‑parts warehouse and the shading canopies of its newly built parking lot, covering a total roof area of approximately 6,000 m² with an installed capacity of 1.1 MW. The first phase was officially commissioned in August of the same year, generating 1.37 million kWh of electricity annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,141 tonnes. Building on the success of this initial phase, in 2024 the company initiated the second phase of its rooftop PV program, making full use of six underutilized rooftops—namely, the ABS packaging plant, the guardhouse, the distribution rooms of the maintenance center and the utility facilities, the 35 kV substation, and the raw‑material warehouse—to develop distributed solar power. This second phase covers a total roof area of 24,370 m² and boasts an installed capacity of 3 MW. On October 28 of that year, the second phase was officially brought online, producing 3.6 million kWh of electricity annually and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 2,997 tonnes.

Figure 1: Rooftop Photovoltaic Project

In the area of improving energy efficiency in key energy‑using equipment, Dagou Chemical has implemented a series of energy‑saving upgrades: an air‑compressor system retrofit that employs permanent‑magnet dual‑pole variable‑frequency compressors, zero‑steam‑consumption dryers, and precoolers, significantly reducing electricity consumption; a butadiene spherical tank insulation upgrade that installs thermal insulation to minimize cold‑loss; a chiller variable‑frequency drive retrofit using VFD technology to cut power use; an efficient motor replacement program that substitutes energy‑efficient motors for aging units, further lowering energy consumption; a steam superheater insulation coating project that applies a new ceramic insulation material to the inner walls and roof of the styrene superheater, enhancing thermal retention and reducing heat loss; and an energy‑saving pilot‑light replacement initiative that deploys low‑gas‑consumption pilot lights, balancing safety with energy savings.

Figure 2: Energy-Saving Retrofit Project for the Compressed Air System

In the area of cascaded utilization of waste heat and pressure, the styrene plant’s waste‑heat recovery project that produces steam recovers the latent heat of condensation from the vapor-phase feed to the air‑cooled dehydrogenation reactor and uses a heat pump to generate low‑pressure steam—marking a first in the industry and setting a strong example. The ethylene vaporizer retrofit project replaces steam‑based ethylene vaporization with waste‑water‑derived waste heat, thereby achieving effective waste‑heat recovery. Additionally, the waste‑acid‑water waste‑heat recovery project utilizes the residual heat from waste acid water to preheat raw water, reducing energy consumption in the production of demineralized water.

Figure 3: Waste Heat Recovery and Steam Co-Generation Project for the Styrene Unit

In terms of process system optimization, an advanced process control (APC) system has been implemented in the styrene unit, with the core objectives of optimizing process operations, reducing energy consumption, and improving product quality. Through data analysis, steam consumption across the distillation columns has been reduced while maintaining consistent product quality.

The implementation of a series of energy‑saving technological upgrade projects has enabled Dagou Chemical to accumulate valuable experience in energy conservation and carbon reduction, while also lowering the company’s overall energy consumption. Through these initiatives, the company has achieved annual savings of 16.56 million kWh of electricity, 15,700 tonnes of steam, and 480,000 m³ of natural gas, translating into an equivalent energy saving of 5,870 tonnes of standard coal, a reduction of 16,266 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and economic benefits totaling RMB 15.3 million.

III. Promoting the Clean Transformation of Production Processes

Dagou Chemical adheres to a systematic pollution‑reduction approach that integrates source‑level reduction, process control, and efficient end‑of‑pipe treatment. The company vigorously promotes green design, continuously implements clean‑production technology upgrades, and elevates its overall level of clean production. It consistently allocates resources to upgrade its core production lines, introducing intelligent, energy‑efficient equipment while phasing out outdated, high‑energy‑consumption, high‑pollution machinery, thereby steadily reducing pollutant emissions.

The company has established a dedicated green‑design team that prioritizes the use of renewable and biodegradable materials during the product design phase, ensuring that the entire product lifecycle meets environmental standards. Each year, it conducts a clean‑production audit, develops tailored improvement plans, and implements the recommended measures to enhance its clean‑production performance.

In May 2021, the company invested RMB 17 million to construct an advanced exhaust gas treatment system (RTO), aimed at treating waste gases from equipment such as the HRG unit’s latex tanks and the quality‑inspection material storage silos. In 2022, an additional RMB 24.6 million was allocated to build an environmentally friendly exhaust gas treatment facility (RCO), which processes 1 #Floculation Line HRG Exhaust Gas In 2023, the company invested RMB 3 million to implement an optimization and upgrade project for a blended exhaust‑gas environmental protection system, aimed at removing oil mist. The ongoing implementation of a series of environmental protection initiatives has steadily reduced Dagou Chemical’s pollutant emissions. In 2022, the company was awarded the “Tianjin Municipality Performance Grade A Enterprise for Severe Pollution Weather,” and in 2024, it received the “Tianjin Municipality Zero‑Waste Factory” designation.

IV. Promoting the Circular Transformation of Resource Utilization

Dagou Chemical adheres to the principles of total‑volume control, scientific resource allocation, comprehensive conservation, and circular utilization, thereby enhancing the efficient use of resources throughout its production processes, reducing the generation of industrial solid waste, expanding the use of reclaimed water, and improving overall resource‑use efficiency.

Implement comprehensive utilization of equipment waste, establish a system for the categorized collection and record-keeping of industrial solid waste, conduct meticulous classification of industrial solid waste generated during production processes, and collaborate with specialized recycling enterprises to explore high-value‑added utilization pathways.

A comprehensive utilization project for styrene‑containing residual oil has been constructed, incinerating the residual oil and tar generated during styrene production to achieve compliance with emission standards. Simultaneously, the heat from combustion is recovered to produce steam, with an annual steam output of 138,300 tonnes, resulting in energy savings equivalent to 6,135 tonnes of standard coal and generating economic benefits of RMB 16.23 million. In addition, a sludge drying and volume‑reduction facility has been built, reducing annual sludge generation by 66.16%.

Dagou Chemical adheres to the principle of “water conservation first,” employing advanced technologies and implementing a range of measures—such as controlling water consumption per unit of output and increasing the concentration ratio of recirculating water—to reduce water usage and achieve optimal, rational utilization of water resources. Dehydration effluent from styrene dehydrogenation is treated to recover free water, which is then reused in the ABS production unit, yielding an annual water recovery of 890,000 tons. The company has successively launched multiple projects, including recovery of concentrated brine from the ultrapure water unit, reuse of granulation process water for SAN, and recycling of drainage from the MT‑1303 styrene unit, continuously improving water-use efficiency. In 2024, the company’s water consumption per unit of output was 1.24 m³/ten thousand yuan, significantly lower than Tianjin’s average of 20.6 m³/ten thousand yuan; its water reuse rate reached 98.31%, exceeding Tianjin’s average industrial water reuse rate of 94.6%. Furthermore, in 2024, the company’s wastewater discharge decreased by 17.86% year over year.

By consistently utilizing reclaimed water, the company has currently secured two sources of recycled water—Qingyuan Reclaimed Water and Novadan Recycled Pure Water. In 2024, the volume of reclaimed water used reached 1.6982 million tons, accounting for 64.13% of the company’s total water consumption.

V. Establish a Digital and Intelligent Control Platform

Dagou Chemical has deployed and implemented an ERP operations management platform, an MES production management platform, an HSE safety management platform, a digital delivery platform, a network freight‑transportation platform, as well as big‑data analytics and portal platforms. This has established a multi‑platform, deeply integrated system centered on seven functional platforms—“5+1+1”—that achieves optimized governance structures, enhanced decision‑making support, and strengthened core competitiveness through horizontal data flow and vertical integration and control, thereby creating an intelligent factory that combines high‑end sophistication, digitalization, and green practices.

Dagou Chemical has established an online energy monitoring system that integrates energy management, energy analysis, graphical monitoring, and carbon‑emission analysis. This system enables real-time monitoring of the transmission, distribution, production, and consumption of various energy sources, provides real-time diagnostics for key processes and equipment, and tracks the operational status of critical units and devices, thereby offering comprehensive support for holistic scheduling and optimization of production and energy use.

Dagou Chemical has obtained the DCMM Data Management Maturity Level 2 certification and the CMMM Intelligent Manufacturing Maturity Level 2 certification, and has completed the DTMM Digital Transformation Maturity Level 4 assessment. In 2024, Dagou Chemical was selected as one of the first batch of “Excellence‑Level Smart Factories” nationwide.

Figure 4: Real-Time Database Management Platform

VI. Establish a green supply chain system to achieve synergistic efficiency across the upstream and downstream value chain.

Dagou Chemical is building a green supply chain by strengthening green assessments and准入 of suppliers, incorporating environmental compliance, energy consumption levels, and carbon footprints into its supplier selection and management criteria. The company is also promoting green practices among its suppliers through joint training and technical exchanges, while requiring key suppliers to disclose environmental data and develop improvement plans.

We have implemented green logistics optimization by adopting cleaner transportation modes, guiding our subsidiary Dagou Logistics to procure over 100 hydrogen‑powered heavy trucks and partnering with Tianjin Xinyuan Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. to provide hydrogen refueling services, thereby further enhancing our green transport capabilities. Under full‑load, real‑world operating conditions, these hydrogen trucks reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 139 kilograms per 100 kilometers compared with conventional diesel‑powered heavy trucks. Based on the average annual mileage of a single vehicle, each hydrogen‑powered heavy truck can cut carbon emissions by more than 120 tons per year. Moreover, we integrate Dagou Chemical’s environmental protection and sustainable development principles into every stage of supply chain management—design, procurement, production, logistics, and recycling—minimizing resource consumption, pollution, and carbon emissions at each step to strike a balance between economic and environmental benefits.

VII. Deeply engage in standard-setting and lead industry development.

Dagou Chemical actively participates in the development of national and industry‑level green and low‑carbon standards, thereby leading industry progress. To date, it has co‑authored the group standard “Implementation Guidelines for Transformation Finance in Key Areas of Tianjin’s Chemical Industry,” offering new solutions to support the sector’s low‑carbon transition and strengthening financial support for green and low‑carbon projects in Tianjin. The company also served as the chief editor of the standard “Technical Specification for the Evaluation of Green Design Products: Acrylonitrile‑Butadiene‑Styrene (ABS) Resin,” which defines the terminology and definitions, evaluation principles and methods, assessment requirements, life‑cycle assessment procedures, and reporting guidelines for green design of ABS resin, providing a solid basis for similar enterprises to pursue green product design. Additionally, Dagou Chemical contributed to the drafting of the standard “Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product for the Petrochemical Industry,” establishing more stringent energy‑consumption caps for styrene production.

In the future, carbon constraints will tighten further, and green competition will intensify. For Dagou Chemical, its current achievements mark only the starting point of a new journey. Moving forward, the company will continue to explore low‑carbon technologies, including hydrogen energy applications, and strive to build zero‑carbon factories and supply chains. It aims not only to be a pioneer in green production but also to become a leading exporter of green technologies, with the goal of setting an industry benchmark for sustainable development.

(Source: Official WeChat account of the China Federation of Industrial Economics, April 3, 2026)