Overview
On July 16, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced that a retrofit carried out by Shanghai DODGEN Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. together with Shida Shenghua (Quanzhou) Co., Ltd. has been selected as a national low‑carbon and energy‑saving case for the purification of battery‑grade ethylene carbonate (EC), a key solvent in lithium‑ion battery electrolytes.
Technology Change
The retrofit replaces the traditional batch distillation step with DODGEN’s continuous high‑purity melt crystallization process. The melt crystallizer operates with multi‑stage temperature control within ±0.5 °C, delivering roughly a 40 % efficiency gain in the purification stage. The system combines melt crystallization and falling‑film crystallization principles to achieve stable crystal formation, efficient heat transfer and high‑purity output for heat‑sensitive specialty chemicals.
Energy and Emissions Impact
According to the MIIT case record, unit energy consumption fell from 120.9 kg of standard coal per tonne of EC to 33.3 kg, representing an approximate 72 % reduction. On the 90,000‑tonne‑per‑year production line this translates into a saving of 7,884 tonnes of standard coal annually and an avoidance of about 21,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
Implementation Timeline
The entire conversion was completed within a five‑month period, during which new melt‑crystallization units were installed and a portion of the existing distillation equipment was removed. Xi Tang, Chairman of Shanghai DODGEN, stated that the project demonstrates that battery‑material producers can achieve meaningful decarbonisation without compromising product quality and on a rapid schedule.
Strategic Significance
The case supports China’s broader push for localisation of high‑purity electrolyte materials within its battery supply chain, addressing growing demand for consistent, high‑purity solvents such as EC. DODGEN’s technology is positioned for broader industrial deployment across fine chemicals, battery materials and other specialty‑chemical applications.
Company Background
Shanghai DODGEN Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in advanced separation and process‑intensification technologies for fine chemicals, battery materials and specialty chemicals. Its portfolio includes melt‑crystallization equipment, melt crystallizer systems and falling‑film crystallization solutions.