Two major coal chemical initiatives in Hami, Xinjiang, have recently advanced to operational phases, marking a significant step in regional resource development. The first facility, operated by Xinjiang Xuandong Energy within the Yiwu Industrial Park, carries a total investment of 15 billion yuan. It features a 10-million-ton annual coal classification line alongside a 500,000-ton coal tar upgrading complex and a supporting coal gasification hydrogen plant. The project utilizes SE slurry gasification technology achieving over 99 percent carbon conversion, complemented by proprietary full-fraction coal tar hydrotreating capabilities.
A second operation, developed by Xinjiang Jiaguo Weiye New Energy in the Santanghu Industrial Park of Barkol County, began trial production following its ignition phase in July. Backed by 6.58 billion yuan in capital, the site employs cascade pyrolysis and multi-product integration methods. Upon reaching full capacity, the facility will produce 1.8 million tons of upgraded coal, 200,000 tons of gasoline, 300,000 tons of diesel, 80,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, and 30,000 tons of coal pitch annually.
The output of coal pitch holds particular relevance for the energy storage sector, as it can be processed into precursors for lithium battery anode materials. By converting local oil-rich and low-rank coal deposits into high-value chemical derivatives, these developments could gradually influence downstream supply chains for renewable energy storage components, while also establishing new benchmarks for carbon efficiency in heavy industrial processing.