PREC Huaibei Base Enters Final Countdown to Operation, Solidifying East China Strategic Presence

With the main structure of the complex topped out earlier this year, the project of Prechem (Anhui) New Materials Co., Ltd. — featuring a 30,000-tonne-per-year EEP (ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate)/MMP (methyl 3-methoxypropionate) functional solvent unit and a supporting 30,000-tonne-per-year EA (ethyl acrylate)/MA (methyl acrylate) monomer unit — has entered the critical phase of equipment installation and system commissioning. As a key strategic initiative for PREC in East China with a total investment exceeding CNY 200 million, the project is scheduled to commence operations in the second half of 2026. Upon completion, PREC will establish a highly efficient three-base synergy across Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Huaibei, putting into operation the world’s largest integrated upstream-downstream EEP/MMP production facility and further consolidating its international competitiveness in the fine chemicals sector.

Construction Milestones

On May 13, 2025, the groundbreaking ceremony for Prechem (Anhui) New Materials Co., Ltd.’s 30,000-tonne-per-year EEP/MMP functional solvent and 30,000-tonne-per-year EA/MA monomer project was held at the Anhui (Huaibei) New Coal Chemical Synthesis Materials Base (No. 8 Huaxing South Road). Full-scale construction commenced in July of the same year. Confronted with challenges including stringent environmental protection standards and complex geological conditions, the project team optimized construction schemes and strengthened resource allocation to overcome technical difficulties. On February 8, 2026, the main structure of the complex was successfully topped out, marking the project’s formal transition to the secondary structure and fit-out phase. Currently, main construction of the entire plant is in the final stage, with equipment delivery and pipeline prefabrication advancing in parallel, laying a solid foundation for trial production in the second half of the year.

Dual Stringent Standards for Safety and Environmental Protection

On the construction front led by contractor CNCEC-FCC (China National Chemical Engineering Fourth Construction Co., Ltd.), the team has strictly implemented the national “Three Simultaneities” policy for safety and environmental protection to establish a green demonstration worksite. As the project owner, PREC has upheld ultimate accountability for safety and environmental governance. On April 15, 2026, PREC organized a full-staff briefing on GB 45673-2025 General Standard for Work Safety Standardization of Hazardous Chemical Enterprises, breaking down the 14 Level-1 elements and 62 Level-2 elements into dedicated implementation lists for both the construction and post-operation phases. Under PREC’s oversight, a dual prevention mechanism has been established on site, with mobile terminals deployed for hidden-danger inspections and integrated into the digital dual prevention system. Contractor personnel are required to complete two-tier safety training prior to site entry and before commencing work, while dispatched workers fall under PREC’s unified management protocols. Furthermore, PREC mandates that large-scale enterprises on site establish standardized safety training facilities, enhancing personnel competency through mentorship programs, simulation-based training and performance evaluations, thereby embedding safety and environmental control throughout the project’s full lifecycle.

New Benchmark for Green Manufacturing

As early as February 6, 2025, the Huaibei Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment approved the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) via Document Huaihuanxing [2025] No. 4, confirming that “pollutant discharge can meet standards and environmental risks are controllable,” with no public objections received during the publicity period. Of the total project investment of CNY 202.96 million, environmental protection investment amounts to CNY 12 million, accounting for 5.91%. In terms of process design, cross-feeding between production units will reduce transportation and energy consumption, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint. Upon operation, annual emissions of major pollutants — including sulfur dioxide (0.871 t/a), nitrogen oxides (2.442 t/a), smoke dust (0.534 t/a) and non-methane total hydrocarbons (2.44 t/a) — will be strictly controlled within the total quotas stipulated in the EIA approval, setting a new benchmark for green manufacturing.

Advanced Smart Manufacturing Capabilities

The Huaibei plant is designed as a smart manufacturing facility featuring minimal manning and high efficiency. Both the EEP/MMP and EA/MA production lines employ a full-process continuous process, supported by a Distributed Control System (DCS) and closed-transfer systems to eliminate leaks, spills, drips and fugitive emissions at source. Compared with traditional batch processes, the continuous process combined with automated controls significantly reduces on-site manual intervention points and lowers the risk of human error. This highly automated production model serves as the core guarantee for the high purity and batch-to-batch consistency of the products.

Human-Centric Approach

During the construction period, PREC’s senior management visited the site on multiple occasions to inspect progress and express their appreciation to frontline workers. They co-hosted monthly safety meetings and issued weekly occupational health bulletins together with the contractor, providing tangible care and support. Located in the Linhuan Chemical Industry Park in Huaibei, the project not only upholds the “technology-driven, environment-first” philosophy of PREC’s Shenzhen headquarters, but also creates nearly 100 local jobs. The green solvents produced by PREC at the park will provide vital supply-chain support to the adjacent Huayong New Materials project, a producer of pharmaceutical intermediates and 2-methoxypropene. This neighboring industrial synergy has been recognized by the Huaibei Municipal Government as a flagship case of the park’s transition from old to new growth drivers. From the groundbreaking ceremony amid golden wheat fields to the current forest of production facilities, PREC’s green commitment to Huaibei is steadily becoming a reality.

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