A groundbreaking advancement has emerged in China's chemical sector. According to the latest report from National Petroleum and Chemical Network, Wanhua Chemical Group has successfully developed 100% bio-based silicone oil, completely eliminating reliance on petroleum feedstock while reducing carbon emissions by 72% compared to conventional methods.

This milestone marks China's first capability to compete with global giants like Dow Corning (US) and Wacker (Germany) in high-end silicone oil production. The product has obtained SGS certification, with mass production scheduled for Q4 2024 at Wanhua's Ningbo facility with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons.

"Our patented enzymatic catalysis process extracts core silicone components from castor oil and other plant sources," said Dr. Wei Li, Chief Scientist at Wanhua, during the press conference. "The new product outperforms petroleum-based silicone oils in cosmetic and medical device applications."

Market research indicates the global silicone oil market reached $8.9 billion in 2023, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 38% share. Demand for eco-friendly variants has surged since the EU implemented carbon tariffs on volatile silicone products in 2024.

Industry analysts believe this innovation will reshape global supply chains. Multinational corporations including L'Oréal and P&G have initiated procurement talks with Wanhua. The China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation projects bio-based silicone oils will capture 15%-20% of global market share by 2026.