The petrochemical industry is jointly discussing "world-class" innovation to promote the development of new quality productive forces
Under the current background of vigorously promoting the development of new quality productive forces, how can we further enhance the innovation capacity of the petroleum and chemical industry, build world-class enterprises and construct a petrochemical power? On June 22, 2024, the 13th Chemical Industry Industry-University-Research Forum and the Conference on Promoting the Development of New Quality Productivity in the Chemical Industry were held in Dezhou, Shandong Province. Many experts shared their views on this event.
Li Bin, vice president of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, pointed out that technological innovation in the petrochemical industry is accelerating continuously. However, there are still problems such as insufficient investment in scientific research, weak basic research, weak strategic planning capabilities for technological innovation of enterprises, and worrying situation of intellectual property protection. Moreover, there is a lack of a team of entrepreneurs deeply engaged in the industry, and short-term behavior of enterprises is serious.
One of the important reasons for the low investment in technology is the relatively low profit level of the industry. Li Bin stated that, referring to the successful experience of multinational companies, a company's research and development expenditure should account for 6% of its sales revenue to be competitive. During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, the overall profit level of China's petrochemical industry was 4.19%, while the technology investment rate was approximately 1.25% during the same period. This means that even if we give up expanding reproduction and invest all our profits in technology, we still haven't reached the average competitive level of multinational enterprises. He said.
How to enhance the innovation capabilities of enterprises in the industry? Li Bin suggested: First, increase independent innovation oriented towards the future; Second, follow objective laws and continuously enhance the effectiveness of scientific and technological innovation; Third, establish and improve the organizational guarantee system to provide strong support for scientific and technological innovation; Fourth, build a favorable cultural environment and create fertile ground for scientific and technological innovation; Fifth, encourage each enterprise to explore a path of scientific and technological innovation with its own characteristics.
"At present, the situation in the industry where 'production increases but sales do not increase profits' is severe." " When it comes to the profit situation, Liu Yu, the executive vice president of the China Chemical Industry Intelligence and Information Association, suggested that in 2024, the high-quality development of the industry should focus on "promoting stability through progress", integrating the cultivation of traditional industries with that of emerging industries, combining innovation-driven development with the acceleration of the transformation of old and new growth drivers, and integrating the expansion of foreign markets with the in-depth development of the domestic market, to achieve a new leap for the entire industry.
Reporters learned at the meeting that Qingdao University of Science and Technology has achieved remarkable results in promoting technological innovation in the industry through the integration of government, industry, academia and research, and the "Qingdao University of Science and Technology Model" it has formed has been highly praised. Lu Wanxiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the University Committee and vice president of Qingdao University of Science and Technology, said that since 2022, the university has successively established university-local integration and innovation development centers with Jining, Zaozhuang, Dezhou and other places, and has signed nearly 500 industry-university-research cooperation agreements, promoting the development of high-end chemical industry in Shandong.
According to Su Junjie, deputy director of the Chemical Industry Division of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Shandong Province, the "High-End Chemical Industry Action Plan (2024-2025)" recently released by the province proposes: We should lead the construction of a high-end chemical industry system with scientific and technological innovation. By 2025, the revenue of large-scale enterprises in the high-end chemical industry should account for over 53% of the total revenue of large-scale chemical enterprises in the province. The proportion of R&D investment in the chemical industry to revenue should reach around 1.8%, and five high-end chemical industry clusters with a revenue of over 100 billion yuan should be created in a formation.
At the signing ceremony of the new chemical quality production capacity project held at the conference site, Three projects developed by the Shandong Chemical Research Institute of Qingdao University of Science and Technology, namely the new synthesis process of 8-hydroxyquinoline, the new process of o-aminobenzoic acid series products and the new synthesis process of integrators, and the high-end animal growth regulator, have respectively signed contracts with Ningbo Zusai Bioengineering Co., LTD., Shandong Yuanlian Chemical Co., Ltd. and Shandong Ruihong Biotechnology Co., LTD. The signed amounts are 36 million yuan, 16 million yuan and 3 million yuan respectively.
At the meeting, Feng Weichun, the president of Shandong Chemical Industry Intelligence and Information Association, Meng Xianxing, the vice president of Shandong Chemical Research Institute, and others gave reports on topics such as the development of lithium battery chemicals and the safety of hazardous chemicals. Tian Ruyong, the deputy director of the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Dezhou City, introduced the city's high-end chemical industry chain. More than 200 representatives present exchanged views on topics such as scientific and technological innovation.
The seeds of technological innovation have long taken root and sprouted in many enterprises, but their growth period may not be one year, but five, ten or even longer. It requires great patience to cultivate and nurture them. Li Bin sent a message to industry enterprises, saying, "Sowing and reaping are not in the same season. We must have the belief that 'success does not necessarily belong to me, but I will surely contribute to it' in order to build world-class enterprises."
This conference is hosted by the People's Government of Dezhou City, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, and the High-End Specialized Chemicals Committee of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. It is organized by the Shandong Chemical Intelligence and Information Association, the Dezhou Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, and the Center for Integrated Innovation and Development of Qingdao University of Science and Technology. At the same time, a certificate awarding ceremony for the new editorial board members of "Shandong Chemical Industry" was held at the meeting.