In 1990s, a group from the Institute of Process Engineering began research on clean technology of industrial processes. The solution to pollution of chromium salts in traditional heavy chemical industry was chosen as the object for green production by undertaking a project called "Research and Development of Clean Production Technology for Chromium Salts."

In 2002, the group established a 10,000-ton industrial demonstration project involving the clean production of chromium salt, which created a new eco-industrial model for comprehensive utilization of chromite resources and near-zero discharge of chromium slag. This technology is considered a "technological revolution" in the industry.