CNPC starts full-chain green ethylene project in Xinjiang, cuts emissions by 1.37 million tons yearly

China National Petroleum Corp has started operations at its first full-chain green and low-carbon ethylene project in Korla, Xinjiang. The facility adds 1.2 million tons of annual ethylene capacity, making the Dushanzi Petrochemical complex the only ethylene base of its scale in central and western China. The project uses solar power from CNPC's Tarim Oilfield photovoltaic project and captures carbon dioxide from cracking furnace flue gas for recycling. The project is expected to cut carbon emissions by 1.37 million tons per year. It uses domestically developed electric-drive compressors instead of steam-driven ones and integrates green electricity, carbon capture, blue hydrogen, and green fertilizer production. Ten of the 11 major production units use Chinese technology, with some downstream units fully localized. The complex was built in 22 months using modular construction and digital project management.