Global tetramethyl-monopentene production capacity is highly monopolized. The domestic chemical industry urgently needs to break the monopoly.

Tetramethyl-pentene, also known as 4-methyl-1-pentene and 1-isohexene, is a propylene dimerization product and an important branched α-olefin. The molecular formula of tetramethyl-pentene is C6H12 and its molecular weight is 84.16. It is a transparent colorless liquid and insoluble in water. Tetramethyl-pentene can be used as a comonomer of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and can also be used to prepare new polyolefin materials with outstanding optical properties, mechanical properties, high temperature resistance and electrical properties through homopolymerization. Phenyl monopentene (PMP). The ultraviolet transmittance of this new thermoplastic resin is better than that of glass and other transparent resins, and it has excellent electrical insulation and chemical resistance. It is mainly used to manufacture medical equipment, experimental equipment, special food utensils for electronic stoves, and baking Disks and heat-resistant wire coatings, etc.

At present, there is only one tetramethyl-pentene manufacturer in the world, Mitsui Chemicals of Japan, and the industry is in a monopoly. After years of production and operation accumulation, Japan’s Mitsui Chemicals has formed advantages in production, technology and operations in the tetramethyl-pentene industry. At the same time, in order to improve the layout of the product value chain and control product quality and production costs, the company extended to the upstream industrial chain. By integrating the ethylene business, expanding the new propylene production line, gradually transforming the ethylene production base into a propylene production base, effectively integrating internal and external resources; the company extends to the downstream industrial chain, develops polytetramethyl-pentene (TPX) and polytetramethyl-pentene release film and other products, improves the integrated operation of the industrial chain, and consolidates competitive advantages. According to the released “2022 Tetramethylpentene Industry Investment Prospects Forecast and Investment Strategy Suggestions Report“, in 2020, The global tetramethylpentene industry produces tens of thousands of tons.

In contrast, China has relatively little investment in research on tetramethyl-pentene and has few research results. In addition, most of the related research on tetramethyl-pentene is focused on its application fields, and there is less research on production processes, especially It is its core technology – research on catalysts. China lags far behind leading companies in the United States and Japan, which is not conducive to China’s rapid realization of localized and independent industrial production of tetramethyl-pentene. The core of the development of tetramethyl-pentene industry lies in mastering its key production technology and realizing industrialization and large-scale production. However, due to limitations in technology, talent, patents, etc., China has not yet achieved industrialized production of tetramethyl-pentene. In addition, although China has done a lot of research on polytetramethyl-pentene, the main downstream field of tetramethyl-pentene, it does not have the capacity for industrial production. The incomplete industrial chain further limits the development of China’s tetramethyl-pentene industrialization capabilities.

According to Analysts, market demand is the fundamental driving force for the development of the industry. As far as tetramethylpentene is concerned, its market itself is small. The market size of less than 1 billion per year is not conducive to stimulating the development of its industry. Its main market is located in Europe and the United States, and the market in Asia, including China, is relatively limited. In recent years, with the development of China’s electronics, cables, medical and other industries, the demand for polytetramethyl-pentene has further increased. However, since there is no domestic production capacity for polytetramethyl-pentene, its demand mainly relies on Imports are sufficient, and market growth has a smaller role in promoting the development of related domestic industries.