Sugar Energy Technology's 10,000-ton HMF production base Phase I is completed, marking the launch of the world's first industrial-scale 10,000-ton HMF production base

Recently, the completion ceremony for Phase I of Zhejiang Sugar Energy Technology Co., Ltd.’s 12,000-ton 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production base was held in Daishan. Officials from relevant Daishan County departments, representatives from industrial parks and partner enterprises, company management and staff, and media representatives gathered to witness a key milestone in the industrialization of my country’s bio-based furan new materials.

The event, themed "Uniting for Bio-based New Materials, Embarking on a New Journey of Industrial Autonomy," showcased the achievements of Sugar Energy Technology’s HMF industrialization project and announced the successful completion and official launch of the base's Phase I. The project's completion marks a critical breakthrough in the large-scale manufacturing of the bio-based platform compound HMF in my country. It holds significant importance for addressing gaps in the domestic bio-based new material supply chain, overcoming "bottleneck" issues regarding high-end bio-based chemical raw materials, and enhancing my country's industrial autonomy and control in the field of furan-based new materials.

Jin Haitao, Chairman and General Manager of Zhejiang Sugar Energy Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a speech at the event. He reviewed the project's development journey—from planning to realization—and outlined the company's achievements in core HMF industrialization technologies, overall base planning, and market business layout. He expressed sincere gratitude to government authorities at all levels, industrial parks, partners, and everyone involved in the project's construction. He stated that the completion of Phase I marks a pivotal turning point for Sugar Energy Technology in transitioning from technological achievements to large-scale industrial application. Moving forward, the company will fully advance the construction of Phase II, continuously expand downstream product applications, and build a complete bio-based furan new material industry chain centered on HMF.

Ye Jun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Daishan County Party Committee and Party Secretary of the Daishan Economic Development Zone, attended the ceremony and delivered an address. He extended warm congratulations on the project's successful completion, noting that Sugar Energy Technology’s HMF production base aligns perfectly with the development direction of advanced manufacturing and new material industries. He described it as a benchmark project for Daishan in strengthening its industry chain and cultivating green, low-carbon "new quality productive forces." The local government pledged to continue providing comprehensive, full-lifecycle services to the company, fostering a favorable environment for the project's stable operation, capacity upgrades, and the collaborative development of the industry chain.

During the ceremony, guests toured the base's exhibition hall and visited the DCS central control room to witness the project's official launch. With the launch command issued, the first phase of Zhejiang Sugar Energy Technology’s 12,000-ton-per-year 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production base has officially entered the stages of production validation and industrial-scale operation, marking the project's transition from construction to active operation.

Zhejiang Sugar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise dedicated to the design, development, production, and application of bio-based furan materials. Centered on a "1 core monomer + N high-end products" bio-based material chain framework, the company continuously advances the development of HMF and its downstream high-end material applications. The company was selected by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to lead a key innovation project for fine chemical products under the "Jiebang Guashuai" (open competition mechanism) initiative; additionally, its "Bio-based Furan Material: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural" project was designated a key initiative for strengthening and supplementing the supply chain within Zhejiang Province's "415X" advanced manufacturing cluster.
The newly completed Phase I project boasts an annual HMF capacity of 12,000 tons, covering a total land area of ​​70.17 mu (approx. 4.68 hectares) and a total building area of ​​29,000 square meters. It is equipped with comprehensive utility systems, including a boiler house, wastewater treatment facilities, and power distribution infrastructure. Leveraging research achievements from national "14th Five-Year Plan" major projects, the facility utilizes biomass feedstock to produce the bio-based platform compound HMF. Its overall technology ranks at the forefront globally, making it the world's first 10,000-ton-scale HMF industrialization base.

As a vital bio-based platform compound, HMF has broad applications in pharmaceuticals, advanced polymer materials, fuel additives, 3D printing materials, and adhesives, serving as a crucial bridge between biomass resources and high-end chemical materials. Sugar Energy Technology has already established deep collaborations with several leading international companies regarding application development and market expansion.

Industry experts believe that the project's operation is poised to transform the global trade landscape for HMF—which has long been characterized by import reliance and small-scale supply—and position my country as a major global producer and exporter. Furthermore, it will enhance my country's influence regarding furan-based high-end chemical raw materials and relevant international standards. At the same time, the project will drive local employment, foster industrial supporting ecosystems, and boost green, low-carbon manufacturing capabilities, injecting new momentum into the development of Zhejiang Province's bio-based new materials industry cluster. Following the completion ceremony, Sugar Energy Technology hosted the launch meeting for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s "Jiebang Shuai-shuai" (Open Competition Mechanism) project and the inauguration ceremony of the Bio-based Industry Alliance, alongside a seminar on HMF industry development. Experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, and the industry engaged in discussions covering topics such as technological innovation in bio-based materials, the industrial application of HMF, and downstream market expansion, working together to drive the high-quality development of the bio-based furan new materials industry.

Launch meeting for the MIIT "Jiebang Shuai-shuai" project

Inauguration ceremony of the Bio-based Industry Alliance






















Seminar on HMF industry development

From overcoming technical challenges in the laboratory to the successful implementation of a 10,000-ton scale industrial project, Sugar Energy Technology has leveraged HMF as a key driver to build a globally oriented, green, low-carbon, and self-reliant bio-based new materials industry chain. The completion of this Phase I project marks a significant milestone in the company's growth and serves as a valuable practical model for the Chinese bio-based new materials industry as it advances toward large-scale, high-end, and international operations.