The largest 15,000-ton-per-year methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) production facility in China has recently started operations at the Fine Chemical Plant of Jihua Chemical Group. This state-of-the-art plant utilizes proprietary technology developed by Jilin Chemical Group, marking a significant milestone in domestic chemical production. The facility has successfully met all production standards and is now operating efficiently. Previously, China's MIBK production was limited to small-scale facilities with a combined annual capacity of around 2,500 tons. These older plants suffered from immature technology, high costs, and excessive energy consumption, leading to very low operational rates—often below 4%. As a result, domestic demand for MIBK could not be met, forcing heavy reliance on imports. In recent years, the demand for MIBK has surged rapidly, leading to a significant influx of foreign products into the Chinese market. In 2001, China imported 17,000 tons of MIBK; this increased to 21,000 tons in 2002 and reached 24,800 tons in 2003. Faced with the challenge of high-cost domestic production and competition from large-scale international suppliers, most local MIBK facilities were either shut down or operated at minimal capacity. Domestic users had no choice but to depend heavily on imported MIBK. In response to this situation, Jihua Group accelerated its MIBK project development. The company worked closely with construction partners to ensure smooth progress. So far, the plant has produced 1,000 tons of high-quality MIBK, which has been well-received by customers. This achievement marks the end of China’s long-standing reliance on imported MIBK. Looking ahead, the plant is preparing to construct a second 15,000-ton-per-year MIBK production unit, which is expected to be completed and start operations in August next year. This expansion will further strengthen China’s self-sufficiency in MIBK and support the growing domestic demand. MIBK is a medium-boiling-point solvent known for its excellent performance. It is widely used in various industries, including coatings, adhesives, synthetic resins, petrochemical degreasers, tapes, photosensitive materials, pesticides, non-ferrous metal smelting, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and fine chemicals. Its versatility makes it an essential component in many industrial applications.

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