Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Saudi Basic Industrial Corporation (SABIC) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 22, 2016 in Shanghai to jointly research in catalyst and process development of "non-oxidative conversion of methane into olefins, aromatics and hydrogen". The three parties will work on accelerating the commercialization of the technologies developed in the future. 

DICP, SABIC and CNPC signed the memorandum of understanding (Image by LIU Wansheng)

Under the agreement, the three parties will jointly research in catalyst and process development in "non-oxidative conversion of methane into olefins, aromatics and hydrogen", a breakthrough technology that will bring a more streamlined, simplified and efficient process compared with conventional methods.

The partnership is based on a DICP breakthrough technology of converting methane into olefins, aromatics and hydrogen in a highly efficient and sustainable way. The MOU echoes Chinese government’s objectives in the 13th Five-Year plan to nurture home-grown innovation and green technology development.

The cooperation brings together leading industry players with top research and development institute and government support, and will ultimately help to drive the technological upgrading of China’s domestic petrochemicals industry, and contribute to sustainable new production methods.

"At SABIC, we believe this first-of-its-kind technology breakthrough has immense potentials to add considerable value to the petrochemical industry in China and the world. Once industrialized, this technology will provide a new channel for highly efficient utilization of natural gas, as well as unlimited possibilities for the production of new chemical products in a more sustainable manner,” remarked Awadh Al-Maker, SABIC’s Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation. SABIC is one of world's largest petrochemicals manufacturers, headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.