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Tracing fossil-based plastics, chemicals and fertilizers production in China

Author

Listed:
  • Meng Jiang

    (Tsinghua University
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Yuheng Cao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Changgong Liu

    (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec))

  • Dingjiang Chen

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Wenji Zhou

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Qian Wen

    (China National Petroleum & Chemical Planning Institute)

  • Hejiang Yu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jian Jiang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yucheng Ren

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shanying Hu

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Edgar Hertwich

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Bing Zhu

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University
    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

Abstract

Phasing down fossil fuels is crucial for climate mitigation. Even though 80–90% of fossil fuels are used to provide energy, their use as feedstock to produce plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals, is associated with substantial CO2 emissions. However, our understanding of hard-to-abate chemical production remains limited. Here we developed a chemical process-based material flow model to investigate the non-energy use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in China. Results show in 2017, the chemical industry used 0.18 Gt of coal, 88.8 Mt of crude oil, and 12.9 Mt of natural gas as feedstock, constituting 5%, 15%, and 7% of China’s respective total use. Coal-fed production of methanol, ammonia, and PVCs contributes to 0.27 Gt CO2 emissions ( ~ 3% of China’s emissions). As China seeks to balance high CO2 emissions of coal-fed production with import dependence on oil and gas, improving energy efficiency and coupling green hydrogen emerges as attractive alternatives for decarbonization.

Suggested Citation

  • Meng Jiang & Yuheng Cao & Changgong Liu & Dingjiang Chen & Wenji Zhou & Qian Wen & Hejiang Yu & Jian Jiang & Yucheng Ren & Shanying Hu & Edgar Hertwich & Bing Zhu, 2024. "Tracing fossil-based plastics, chemicals and fertilizers production in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47930-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47930-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ong, Mei Yin & Milano, Jassinnee & Nomanbhay, Saifuddin & Palanisamy, Kumaran & Tan, Yeong Hwang & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2025. "Insights into algae-plastic pyrolysis: Thermogravimetric and kinetic approaches for renewable energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).

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