Green development and the pursuit of high‑end, cutting‑edge innovation are critical to the survival and growth of agrochemical companies!

　　Recent Pesticide The industry has experienced considerable turbulence, with mergers and consolidations among international giants surging, the global agrochemical landscape evolving rapidly, and domestically, the new… Pesticide The implementation of the Management Regulations and the new environmental protection rules is accelerating… Pesticide A new round of industry reshuffling is underway. In July 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments jointly issued the “Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Green Industrial Development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt,” setting targets such as reducing energy consumption per unit of industrial value added by 18% in enterprises above designated size by 2020 compared to 2015, cutting the emission intensity of major pollutants in key industries by 20%, and achieving an output value of 5 trillion yuan for the green manufacturing sector. In response, provinces along the Yangtze River swiftly took action following the release of the “Outline for the Development Plan of the Yangtze River Economic Belt,” leading to a wave of intensive shutdowns among chemical enterprises. This phenomenon has further exacerbated the already widespread societal prejudices against… Pesticide The industry has only made matters worse. For a time, Pesticide The issue of whether chemical and other enterprises face a “one-size-fits-all” approach or a more nuanced, case-by-case assessment has become widely discussed both within and outside the industry. At present, Pesticide The industry’s predicament has even disrupted the normal rhythm of teaching and research at universities, sending shockwaves through the sector. The sheer intensity of it may be fully appreciated only by those within the field.

　　Green Chemical Industry Enters the Yangtze River Economic Belt Pesticide The industry research initiative officially kicked off in Nanjing on July 1.

　　Moreover, in order to accurately communicate and guide industry policies and to advance China’s… Pesticide In pursuit of green development within the industry, the China Chemical Industry News and the China Chemical Industry Research Institute, in line with General Secretary Xi Jinping’s call to “jointly promote major ecological conservation while refraining from large-scale development,” have steadily advanced the Implementation Plan for Green Industrial Development (2016–2020) and supply-side structural reform. Centering on the theme of green development, they officially launched the “Green Chemical Industry Tour along the Yangtze River Economic Belt” in Nanjing on July 1. Pesticide The industry research initiative is expected to span eight months and involve field visits to 50 enterprises located within the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Pesticide Enterprises, while exposing illegal and disorderly practices, also identify exemplary models of clean production and technological innovation, thereby alleviating public concerns about… Pesticide Addressing misconceptions, advancing environmental governance and technological innovation within the industry, and facilitating its transformation and upgrading will strengthen the development of green chemistry in the Yangtze River Basin.

　　I. Pesticide The chemical industry’s public image urgently needs to be transformed!

　　 Pesticide This vital agricultural input, indispensable to both national economic planning and people’s livelihoods, has not only long been overlooked in society, but those who are unaware of the facts often “turn pale at the mention of tigers,” fearing any association with it. Pesticide Even the slightest connection is enough. Moreover, the implementation of new environmental protection policies has placed immense pressure on many enterprises. Wu Xiaojǔ, Deputy General Manager of Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Jiangsu Youjia Plant Protection Co., Ltd., expressed concern about the potential impacts arising from the heightened environmental scrutiny in numerous regions, suggesting that, based on actual conditions, efforts could be made to encourage compliant companies to pursue self-improvement, thereby fostering… Pesticide Innovative development in the chemical industry.

　 Pesticide The declining status of the chemical industry in the public eye, as noted by Qiao Xu, president of Nanjing Tech University, has now extended to the education sector. The term “de‑chemicalization” has also emerged as a new buzzword, according to President Qiao. Today, chemical engineering is no longer highly sought after on university campuses; students in the field are reluctant to take jobs at chemical companies, and researchers in the field are increasingly hesitant to pursue projects in the chemical industry. Does this trend warrant serious reflection across society?

　II. The practices of Jiangshan Co., Ltd. and Huaxing Chemical demonstrate that green development is a matter of scale. Pesticide The future path for chemical enterprises!

　　In January 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that advancing the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt must be guided by the long-term interests of the Chinese nation, following a path of ecological priority and green development. The “Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Green Industrial Development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt” likewise explicitly calls for optimizing the industrial green‑development layout along the belt, adjusting the industrial structure, and promoting the green transformation of traditional manufacturing—while simultaneously establishing and cultivating 500 green demonstration factories and 50 green demonstration parks, and popularizing more than 5,000 types of green products. It also sets forth specific measures such as enhancing water conservation in industry and strengthening pollution prevention and control. In response, Fu Xiangsheng, Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, urged the green chemical industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt to take concrete steps forward. Pesticide The industry research team must thoroughly and accurately assess the needs and concerns of enterprises, provide sound policy guidance, deeply understand the spirit of the General Secretary’s remarks and relevant documents, and appropriately balance economic development with environmental protection—advancing conservation through development and fostering development through conservation. Moreover, adopting a problem‑oriented approach, the team should fully solicit input from businesses and ensure effective feedback on policy recommendations.

　　Meanwhile, during the research team’s launch of this survey on July 1, the author discovered that Nantong Jiangshan… Pesticide Companies such as Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Anhui Huaxing Chemical Co., Ltd. have demonstrated a keen foresight in anticipating policy shifts and the evolving trends of the times, and, in line with their respective strategic positioning, have already embarked on a journey of “re‑entrepreneurship.”

　　According to Nantong Jiangshan Pesticide Xue Jian, General Manager of the Chemical Corporation, stated that, as a traditional… in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Pesticide As a chemical enterprise, Jiangshan Shares has consistently upheld a strong awareness of ecological red lines, elevating environmental protection to a matter of political principle. Through coordinated efforts across all departments, the company has tackled issues at their source by refining production processes, developing advanced technologies for treating industrial waste, and continuously enhancing resource recycling and conversion. As a result, its clean‑production technology for amide‑based products has long been recognized as a national demonstration model, enabling the company to capture high‑end market segments. High‑purity trichlorfon with a purity exceeding 97% has successfully entered the veterinary‑medicine market; industrial‑grade sodium hypochlorite has capitalized on opportunities arising from upgrades in drinking‑water disinfection; and trichloroacetaldehyde, with reduced impurities, has won favor among leading dye manufacturers. Furthermore, refined phosphorus trichloride has expanded into pharmaceutical intermediates and overseas premium markets. Meanwhile, leveraging its existing advantages in chlorine resources and incorporating cutting‑edge nanotechnology, Jiangshan Shares has developed nano‑insulation materials, driving a transformative shift in the new‑materials sector, while actively implementing national policies… Pesticide Reduction requirements: develop high-concentration glyphosate solid formulations to reduce… Pesticide The environmental impact of residues is minimized, and the potassium salt formulation of glyphosate produced by the company demonstrates superior efficacy and higher utilization rates compared to conventional aqueous formulations. “Going forward, Jiangshan Shares will continue to center its efforts on the theme of green development,” said General Manager Xue Jian. “Through the construction of smart factories, research into clean technologies, and the development of green products, we will further advance transformation and upgrading, achieve high-quality growth, and steadily strengthen our long-term momentum.”

　　Meanwhile, Huaxing Chemical, which is expected to achieve 660 million yuan in main business revenue in the first half of this year, has launched a “decisive battle” for environmental protection, a “hard-fought campaign” for transformation and upgrading, and a “protracted war” of second‑stage entrepreneurship. The company plans to implement a series of green and high‑quality projects—some already under execution, others in reserve, and still others in the planning stage—that deliver strong social and economic benefits. In particular, it intends to develop a portfolio of new chemical materials projects, thereby fulfilling its “Huaxing Chemical 2018–2022 Five-Year Development Plan” and supporting sustainable growth through improved quality, efficiency, and transformation. At present, Huaxing Chemical operates an advanced biochemical treatment facility capable of processing 3,600 tons per day of highly saline organic chemical wastewater, along with 32 exhaust‑gas treatment systems and a 6,000‑cubic‑meter emergency storage tank for accident‑related wastewater, among other environmental protection facilities. According to Yan Zebin, General Manager and Party Secretary of Huaxing Chemical, developing green, intelligent formulation‑processing operations represents a new investment direction and revenue‑generating avenue for the company’s agrochemical sector. Accordingly, in line with the Yangtze Economic Belt’s strategy of “jointly promoting comprehensive protection without pursuing large‑scale development,” the company proactively undertook a transformation and upgrade of its former 20,000‑ton‑per‑year glyphosate technical‑grade production facility, converting it into a 100,000‑ton‑per‑year aqueous formulation and a 10,000‑ton‑per‑year granular formulation production line. Trial production was successfully completed on April 18 this year. Compared with the original plant, these upgraded facilities have reduced wastewater by 94%, exhaust gases by 93%, solid waste by 87%, and labor costs by 50%, reaching domestic first‑class and internationally leading standards. In addition, the company has built a 50,000‑ton‑per‑year clean, intelligent packaging line for glyphosate formulations, which went into operation on November 18 last year. Furthermore, the company has completed the preparation of a “green, intelligent…” Pesticide The draft “Evaluation Criteria for Pharmaceutical Production Lines” has been submitted to China. Pesticide Industry association. Looking ahead, Huaxing Chemical will leverage this formulation‑processing center to launch a comprehensive, globally‑oriented expansion, strengthen both domestic and international collaborations, drive corporate transformation, and achieve green, sustainable development.

　　According to China Pesticide Sun Shubao, president of the Industrial Association, stated that there are a total of Pesticide There are over 2,500 enterprises, of which 1,709 have been approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and 459 possess active‑ingredient production qualifications, enabling year-round manufacturing of more than 300 active‑ingredient varieties. Such a large number of… Pesticide Enterprises must, based on their own circumstances, intensify the research, development, and application of practical, viable green technologies, or pursue differentiated collaborative production—both of which may serve as effective pathways to scaling up, strengthening their position, and securing a competitive edge in the future.

　　III. For small businesses to survive, they must excel in high‑tech, sophisticated, and cutting‑edge fields!

　　For large enterprises to embark on a path of green development through innovation and environmental protection, they need not fear either a “one-size-fits-all” approach or targeted measures, because companies that are both compliant and qualified will not be adversely affected. However, small, fragmented businesses and individual operators… Pesticide Enterprises, by contrast, may well be weeded out during this round of industry consolidation.

　　However, during his field investigation on July 1, Academician Jin Yong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering… Pesticide During the closed-door session on green industry development, a practical strategy was offered to these small enterprises: achieve high precision and excellence in their core business areas. With their smaller size, they can pivot more easily and make agile decisions; however, they must engage in deep collaboration with R&D institutions. As cutting-edge high-tech companies operating in their respective fields, this approach represents a key capability for the survival and growth of small enterprises on the global stage.

　　At present, most large-scale Pesticide Chemical enterprises, amid the supply-side structural reform, have aligned themselves with the overarching theme of green development, continuously pursuing innovation and transformation. They are working to integrate upstream and downstream segments of the industrial chain, increasing investment in environmental protection and safety, and steadily improving operational quality—while production quality is beginning to undergo a qualitative leap. Nevertheless, it remains undeniable that constraints persist, including weaknesses in environmental protection, safety, and innovation, as well as public misconceptions. Meanwhile, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which accounts for half of the industry, … Pesticide Manufacturing enterprises must squarely confront the challenges facing the industry, fully leverage the integrated, industry‑academia‑research technologies that bridge manufacturing, agriculture, and the information sector, embark on a path of green innovation, attain cutting‑edge, high‑precision standards within the industry, earn societal respect, drive corporate success, advance the sector, and, in turn, contribute to the sustained development of society.

Author: Pesticide Market Information Media Source: Pesticide Market Information Media