What 中国石化上海石油化工研究院 does

中国石化上海石油化工研究院 (Sinopec (Shanghai) Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., "Shanghai Research Institute") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), operating as one of China's earliest and most comprehensive petrochemical R&D institutions. Founded in May 1960 to develop acrylonitrile catalyst technology following the "Minhang Meeting," it has evolved over 65 years into an integrated catalyst and complete-process-technology developer spanning acrylonitrile, aromatics, olefins, syngas conversion, hydrogenation, coal-to-chemicals, carbon fiber, and oilfield chemistry. Its core technological assets include the S-ANT acrylonitrile process (ten generations of catalysts, with MB and SANC series at world-advanced levels), S-MTO methanol-to-olefins (deployed at the world's largest 3.6 million tpa unit at Zhongtian Hegong), SHP series hydrogenation catalysts, S-TDT/S-STDP aromatics technologies, novel molecular sieves SCM-14/SOR and SCM-15/SOV (the first such structures from a Chinese industrial enterprise, certified by IZA), and high-performance PAN-based carbon fiber.

The institute commercializes its technologies through three primary revenue streams: technology licensing (royalties on process design packages and catalyst formulations), catalyst sales (proprietary catalysts including acrylonitrile, hydrogenation, olefin conversion, and specialty chemical catalysts), and technical services (catalyst loading, commissioning, performance verification, and on-site optimization). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by Sinopec group internal coordination, with technology transferred internally via the "production-sales-R&D-user" mechanism to Sinopec refineries and chemical plants; internationally, technologies have been licensed to customers in Europe (e.g., Ineos Styrolution in Belgium), North America, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Taiwan (Taiwan Chemical Fiber). The institute hosts the Ministry of Science and Technology-approved "Green Chemistry and Industrial Catalysis" National Key Laboratory, operates 10 Sinopec key laboratories, and runs an engineering scale-up base in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (Caojing, operational since 2007).

The company's primary customer segment is Sinopec Group Companies (internal subsidiaries), with secondary segments in international petrochemical enterprises, the coal chemical industry (MTO, syngas-to-ethylene glycol), and oil & gas field services (EOR surfactants, polymer microspheres deployed across Henan, Zhongyuan, Jiangsu, Jianghan, and Shengli oilfields). Its value proposition centers on reducing China's reliance on imported crude oil and foreign catalyst technology licensing, enabling energy security through domestic coal-to-chemical routes, and lowering production costs through higher-efficiency proprietary catalysts. The company is supported by 700+ employees, including 2 CAE academicians, 1 CAS academician, and 41 State Council special allowance recipients, and holds 10,137 cumulative Chinese patent applications and 208 international patent families across approximately 40 countries.

Name

中国石化上海石油化工研究院

Legal name

中石化（上海）石油化工研究院有限公司

Website

https://sript.sinopec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sinopec (Shanghai) Research Institute of Petrochemicals is a wholly-owned Sinopec subsidiary developing proprietary petrochemical catalysts and complete process technologies, serving primarily Sinopec group companies and licensed international petrochemical enterprises across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Petrochemical Catalyst Technology

NAICS

Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Petrochemical Manufacturing (325110), All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (325199), Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Petrochemical & Polymerization Catalysts (IMAEAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Base Olefins (Ethylene, Propylene, Butadiene) (IMAEADAA), Base Aromatics (BTX: Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes) (IMAEADAB), Styrenics (Styrene Monomer, PS, EPS, ABS) (IMAEADAE)

Keywords

• Petrochemical catalysts
• Process technology licensing
• Methanol-to-olefins
• Acrylonitrile catalysts
• Hydrogenation catalysts

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing: The institute licenses its proprietary catalyst technologies and complete process technologies to domestic and international petrochemical companies. Licensing covers process design, catalyst formulations, and operational parameters. Technologies have been licensed to enterprises in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
2. Catalyst Sales: Sale of proprietary catalysts including acrylonitrile catalysts, hydrogenation catalysts, olefin conversion catalysts, and specialty chemical catalysts to petrochemical plants.
3. Technical Services: Technical advisory and on-site技术服务 including catalyst loading, commissioning, performance verification, and operational optimization support at customer facilities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sinopec (Shanghai) Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology is a comprehensive R&D institution that develops proprietary petrochemical catalysts and complete process technologies for industrial applications. Its core offerings include S-ANT acrylonitrile catalysts and process technology, S-MTO methanol-to-olefins technology, S-TDT disproportionation and transalkylation catalysts, SHP-series hydrogenation catalysts, and syngas-to-ethylene glycol technology, commercialized through technology licensing, catalyst sales, and on-site technical services to petrochemical enterprises.

Product overview

中石化（上海）石油化工研究院有限公司是我国最早从事石油化工技术研发的综合性科研机构，形成了以石油化工催化剂及成套技术为特色的技术创新体系。研究领域涵盖基本有机原料（丙烯腈、甲苯歧化、乙苯/苯乙烯、异丙苯等）、石脑油蒸汽裂解制乙烯、C4/C5烃类转化、新型煤化工（MTO/合成气制乙二醇）、精细化工、高分子及合成材料（碳纤维、聚酰亚胺、可降解材料）、油田化学品等领域。核心技术产品包括S-ANT丙烯腈催化剂、S-MTO甲醇制烯烃技术、S-TDT歧化与烷基转移技术、合成气制乙二醇技术、高性能碳纤维、聚酰亚胺薄膜/纤维、钛系聚酯催化剂、乙交酯及PGA技术等。催化剂技术已出口欧洲、北美、东南亚、中东、非洲等地区。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• S-ANT Acrylonitrile Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (S-ANT丙烯腈成套技术及催化剂) Complete acrylonitrile production process technology and proprietary catalysts (including MB and SANC series) developed by the institute since the 1960s, with ten industrial generations, applied at domestic petrochemical facilities such as Anqing Petrochemical.
• S-TDT Disproportionation and Transalkylation Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (S-TDT歧化与烷基转移成套技术及催化剂) Complete process technology and catalysts for toluene disproportionation and transalkylation in aromatics production, used in aromatics combined units.
• S-STDP Toluene Shape-Selective Disproportionation Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (S-STDP甲苯择形歧化成套技术及催化剂) Shape-selective disproportionation technology and catalysts for selective conversion of toluene to para-xylene.
• S-MTO Methanol-to-Olefins Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (S-MTO甲醇制烯烃成套技术及催化剂) World's first fully domestic full-process MTO technology and catalysts enabling coal-based olefin production; reduces dependence on oil imports.
• Syngas-to-Ethylene Glycol Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (合成气制乙二醇成套技术及催化剂) Complete process technology and catalysts for converting syngas to ethylene glycol, part of new coal chemical technology portfolio.
• Olefin Catalytic Cracking (OCC) Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (OCC成套技术及催化剂) Olefin catalytic cracking technology and catalysts for converting C4/C5 fractions to more valuable light olefins.
• SHP-01 Series Pyrolysis Gasoline First-Stage Hydrogenation Catalysts (SHP-01系列裂解汽油一段加氢催化剂) Catalyst product for first-stage hydrogenation of pyrolysis gasoline in ethylene production units.
• SHP-02 Series Pyrolysis Gasoline Second-Stage Hydrogenation Catalysts (SHP-02系列裂解汽油二段加氢催化剂) Catalyst product for second-stage hydrogenation of pyrolysis gasoline in ethylene production units.
• High-Performance Polyacrylonitrile-based Carbon Fiber (高性能聚丙烯腈基碳纤维) High-performance PAN-based carbon fiber product for advanced composite materials applications.
• Ethylbenzene Complete Process Technology and Catalysts (苯乙烷成套技术及催化剂) Ethylbenzene production technology and catalysts, with international licensing including to European markets.
• Surfactant/Polymer Microsphere EOR and Fracturing Technology (超高效阴-阳离子表面活性剂驱油、降压增注技术) Enhanced oil recovery technology using ultra-high-activity anionic-cationic surfactants and polymer microspheres, applied to oilfield operations to improve recovery rates.
• Niobium-based Polyester Catalysts (铌系聚酯催化剂) Environmentally-friendly niobium-based polyester catalysts replacing traditional antimony-based catalysts in polyester production.
• PGA Biodegradable Material Technology (PGA可降解材料技术) Polyglycolic acid biodegradable polymer material technology that has achieved overseas commercialization.

Quantifiable outcome

• S-MTO technology operates at world's largest 360万吨/年 scale, enabling coal-based olefin production and reducing oil import dependence
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Czech University of Technology Brno (布尔诺科技大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018As part of a China-Czech government-to-government sci-tech cooperation project on 'Chemical余热利用过程中换热装备的传热强化及能量集成优化', the institute collaborates with this Czech university on heat exchanger network optimization and energy integration technology for chemical low-grade waste heat recovery. The 2+2 cooperation model involves Shanghai Research Institute and Xi'an Jiaotong University on the Chinese side, and the Czech university plus EVECO Brno on the Czech side.
• Xi'an Jiaotong University (西安交通大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in the China-Czech joint R&D project on chemical waste heat utilization. Chinese side is led by Shanghai Research Institute with Xi'an Jiaotong University, focusing on heat exchanger network optimization and system energy integration. The collaboration aims to improve low-grade waste heat utilization efficiency in chemical processes.
• Stockholm University / Peking University (斯德哥尔摩大学/北京大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaboration with Professor Sun Junliang at Stockholm University and Peking University for crystal structure determination of the novel SCM-14 molecular sieve. Electron diffraction data was analyzed to derive the crystal structure model, leading to IZA certification and structure code SOR.
• Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中科院大连化学物理研究所)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016One of 7 participating units in the national key R&D program 'Green Efficient Chemical Catalytic New Materials High-Throughput Development and Application' (材料基因工程). The project led by Shanghai Research Institute also involves DICP in the integrated research chain from fundamental research to industrial demonstration.
• Nanjing University (南京大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner in the national key R&D program 'Green Efficient Chemical Catalytic New Materials High-Throughput Development and Application'. Nanjing University contributes to the fundamental research component of the materials genome engineering project.
• Tsinghua University (清华大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner in the national key R&D program 'Green Efficient Chemical Catalytic New Materials High-Throughput Development and Application'. Tsinghua University contributes computational modeling and simulation expertise.
• Zhejiang University (浙江大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner in the national key R&D program 'Green Efficient Chemical Catalytic New Materials High-Throughput Development and Application'. Contributes to high-throughput synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials.
• University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (电子科技大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner in the national key R&D program contributing advanced characterization and computational capabilities.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering Technology (中科院苏州生物医学工程技术研究所)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner in the national key R&D program contributing to the materials genome engineering initiative.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Matthey: Global catalyst and process technology provider with strong petrochemical and syngas catalyst lines. Comparable for olefin and aromatics process licensing, catalyst supply, and technical service capability, though its strategic focus is shifting toward hydrogen and battery materials.
• Honeywell UOP: Global leader in petrochemical process licensing and catalyst supply for aromatics, olefins, and refining. The most direct international competitor to the Shanghai Research Institute's S-TDT, S-STDP, and S-MTO licensing franchises, with deeper OECD customer relationships and broader process package offerings.
• BASF Catalysts: World's largest diversified catalyst supplier covering refining, petrochemicals, olefins, and environmental catalysts. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering competing proprietary catalyst formulations for many of the same processes (e.g., ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, selective hydrogenation) targeted by the Shanghai Research Institute.
• Clariant Catalysts: Major specialty catalyst supplier serving petrochemical, refining, and syngas applications. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping catalyst offerings in petrochemical transformations and similar focus on process licensing paired with catalyst supply.
• Shell Catalysts & Technologies: Integrated oil major offering proprietary refining and petrochemical catalyst and licensing packages. Comparable for catalyst supply to global refiners and petrochemical operators, particularly in styrene, hydrogenation, and olefin processes.

Direct peers

• Haldor Topsoe: Danish specialist in hydroprocessing catalysts, syngas conversion, and ammonia/methanol process technologies. Closely comparable to the institute's SHP hydrogenation series and syngas-to-EG technology, with comparable licensing-plus-catalyst commercial model.
• Sinopec Catalyst Co., Ltd. A fellow Sinopec subsidiary specializing in refining and petrochemical catalyst manufacturing and sales. Directly comparable as a sister entity within the same corporate group offering overlapping catalyst product lines, but focused more on commercial-scale catalyst supply rather than the upstream R&D role played by the Shanghai Research Institute.

Emerging players

• Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS): Chinese Academy of Sciences R&D institute with deep catalysis and methanol-to-olefins expertise; a co-partner in the national Materials Genome Engineering program. Comparable for fundamental catalysis R&D and MTO/DMTO technology development, but positioned as an academic/early-stage partner rather than a commercial licensor.

Regional players

• Mitsubishi Chemical (Catalysts Division): Major Japanese chemical company with petrochemical catalysts and process licensing for aromatics and specialty chemicals. Comparable as a regional peer serving Asian petrochemical customers, with overlapping coverage of Taiwan Chemical Fiber-class customers in the region.
• JGC Catalysts and Chemicals: Japanese specialist catalyst manufacturer serving refining and petrochemical customers across Asia. Comparable for hydrogenation, refining, and petrochemical catalyst supply, with similar Japan/Taiwan/Southeast Asia customer overlap to the institute's licensing footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sript68462197
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E7%9F%B3%E5%8C%96%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E7%9F%B3%E6%B2%B9%E5%8C%96%E5%B7%A5%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E9%99%A2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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