PetroChina Guangxi Petrochemical 400000 Tons EVA Project Started

Project core: dual process layout to seize the high-end market

on January 16, 2026, PetroChina Guangxi Petrochemical Company officially launched the construction of two EVA units with a total production capacity of 400000 tons/year, marking the closing stage of its 31.9 billion yuan refining and chemical integration transformation project.

Device configuration: 300000 tons/year tubular EVA device focuses on photovoltaic products and is planned to be delivered in December 2027. The 100000-ton/year kettle-type H-EVA device specializes in high-end special products and is scheduled to be delivered in February 2028. Both sets of devices adopt Leander Basel LUPOTECH technology. Italy's Tynimont Engineering Company is responsible for the design of the high-pressure part, Daqing Huanqiu Company is responsible for the overall design, and Daqing Engineering Company is responsible for the construction, reflecting the deep integration of international technology and Chinese engineering capabilities.

Process differentiation: the tubular method has high conversion rate under high pressure of 2000-3000bar, and the content of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer can be accurately controlled at 18%-28%, which is suitable for large-scale continuous production of photovoltaic grade EVA, with low energy consumption and obvious cost advantages. The kettle method has low reaction pressure (50-200bar), flexible product brand, and can produce special EVA with VA content of more than 40%, which is suitable for small batch customized production.

Market Impact: Reshaping the Global PV Material Supply Pattern

breakthrough in localization of photovoltaic grade EVA: China's photovoltaic installed capacity accounts for more than 50% of the world's total, but the self-sufficiency rate of photovoltaic grade EVA(VA content 28%-33%) is less than 60%, and high-end brands (transmittance ≥ 91.5, gel content ≥ 65%) rely heavily on imports. After Guangxi Petrochemical has an annual production capacity of 300000 tons/year, it will become one of the largest single photovoltaic-grade EVA bases in China, with an annual production capacity that can meet the demand for about 150GW of photovoltaic module film (measured by single GW consumption of 2000 tons of EVA).

Product light transmittance, weather resistance and cross-linking reached the industry's top level, can meet the N-type TOPCon, HJT heterojunction cells and other high-efficiency photovoltaic modules long-term stable operation needs. This will reduce the procurement cost of domestic photovoltaic film enterprises by 10%-15%, significantly improve the security of the supply chain, and hedge the risk of international raw material price fluctuations.

Breakthrough in high-end market segments: 100000 tons/year H-EVA device aims at three high value-added fields:

new energy vehicle cables: EVA consumption for single vehicle is 5-8kg, and China's production and sales of new energy vehicles will exceed 10 million in 2025, corresponding to a demand of 5-80000 tons/year. The product has excellent temperature resistance (can withstand long-term work above 105 ℃), insulation and anti-aging ability, breaking the technological monopoly of foreign companies such as DuPont and ExxonMobil.

Medical appliances: infusion tubes, blood bags, etc. require low precipitation, high biocompatibility, previously highly dependent on imports.

Foamed products: density can be as low as 0.03 g/cm & sup3;, halogen-free flame retardant, can replace traditional materials used in high-end packaging, automotive interiors, sports equipment and other fields.

Strategic Value: "Oil Reduction and Increase" Model and Regional Hub

effect of refining and chemical integration transformation: Guangxi petrochemical project has a total investment of 31.9 billion yuan, covering an area of 4400 mu, and will start construction in July 2023. In August 2025, the world's largest 2 million tons/year diesel adsorption and separation plant was put into operation. On October 30, 14 sets of chemical plants and 2 sets of oil refining plants including 1.2 million tons/year ethylene were put into operation. The project has achieved a structural adjustment of 3.49 million tons of oil products and 3.06 million tons of chemical products per year. It is the benchmark project of PetroChina's "oil reduction and chemical increase" and the largest million-ton ethylene project in Southwest China.

Synergy advantage of industrial chain: EVA unit forms close coordination with the existing 1.2 million-ton/year ethylene cracking unit. Ethylene is directly supplied to EVA production. Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is matched through ethylene oxidation-acetic acid esterification route to build a complete industrial chain of "ethylene-VAM-EVA" and greatly reduce raw material procurement and logistics costs.

Advantages of the new land-sea corridor in the west: the project relies on Qinzhou Port to radiate the southwest hinterland (Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Sichuan) to the west, connecting South China and ASEAN markets (Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.) to the south, and the logistics cost is 15%-20% lower than that of the eastern coast. EVA products can be supplied to photovoltaic module enterprises in the southwest region and exported to ASEAN photovoltaic manufacturing bases through the new land and sea channel in the west, helping to build a trillion-level green chemical new material industry cluster for ASEAN.

Global Supply Chain Implications

key implications for overseas chemical practitioners:

price system reconstruction: after the plant is put into production in 2027-2028, China's photovoltaic EVA supply capacity will be greatly improved, the global market price may fall by 10%-20%, and the trade flow direction in the Asia-Pacific region will undergo a major adjustment.

Technology spillover: The successful application of Leander's Basel LUPOTECH technology in China demonstrates the feasibility of the technology licensing model in emerging markets and may trigger other technology suppliers to adjust their Asian strategies.

Supply chain diversification: Europe and the United States downstream enterprises have long relied on Japan and South Korea EVA supply, China capacity release provides new procurement options, but need to assess the quality stability and delivery capacity of Chinese suppliers.

Evolution of the competitive landscape: The monopoly of traditional EVA giants such as DuPont and ExxonMobil in high-end segments will be challenged, possibly through technology upgrades or mergers and acquisitions.

Regional market opportunities: ASEAN photovoltaic manufacturing industry is developing rapidly, Guangxi Petrochemical can provide more competitive supply solutions relying on geographical advantages, overseas traders should pay attention to the construction of logistics network along the new land and sea corridor in the west.