With the rapid expansion of the Nylon 66, polyurethane (PU), and PBAT biodegradable plastics industries, adipic acid has become an indispensable intermediate for advanced materials manufacturing. As the world's largest producer of adipic acid, China continues to expand its production capacity. However, the industry also faces structural challenges, including intense competition in low-end products and a shortage of high-purity, premium-grade adipic acid.
Located in the Maqiao Chemical Industrial Park in Zibo, Shandong Province, Shandong Haili Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. has established itself as one of China's leading private adipic acid manufacturers. Backed by a fully integrated upstream and downstream production chain, an annual adipic acid capacity of 225,000 tons, advanced cyclohexene-based production technology, and a green manufacturing system, the company delivers reliable quality, stable supply, and sustainable production for customers worldwide.
Adipic acid (AA) is one of the most important aliphatic dicarboxylic acids used in industrial manufacturing. As a white crystalline powder with stable chemical properties, it serves a wide range of downstream applications across high-value material industries.
Approximately 60% of China's adipic acid consumption is used in Nylon 66 production. It is an essential raw material for engineering plastics, automotive components, industrial fibers, carpets, and textile applications, supporting lightweight vehicles and high-end manufacturing.
Adipic acid is widely used in the production of synthetic leather, shoe sole materials, flexible and rigid polyurethane foams, adhesives, and coatings, serving the furniture, footwear, and synthetic leather industries.
Driven by global plastic reduction policies, production capacity for biodegradable plastics continues to grow rapidly. Demand for adipic acid in PBAT and PBS applications is increasing at an annual rate exceeding 10%, making this one of the industry's fastest-growing markets.
Adipic acid is also utilized in plasticizers, pharmaceutical intermediates, lubricants, electronic insulation materials, and food additives. High-purity grades for pharmaceutical and electronic applications remain in short supply.
Despite growing demand, China's adipic acid industry still faces several challenges, including high energy consumption from conventional production processes, stringent NOx emission control requirements, limited upstream integration, and insufficient supply of high-purity products. Shandong Haili addresses these challenges through its integrated industrial ecosystem.
With more than 20 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, Shandong Haili has established a complete industrial chain within the Zibo Huantai Maqiao Chemical Industrial Park. Supported by chlor-alkali, cyclohexanone, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric acid production facilities, the company has built a closed-loop production chain extending from benzene to cyclohexanone and ultimately adipic acid.
Its annual adipic acid production capacity of 225,000 tons places the company among China's leading private producers.
Haili operates an integrated 100,000-ton-per-year cyclohexanone facility, utilizing an advanced cyclohexene synthesis route. Key raw materials—including benzene, hydrogen, and nitric acid—are supplied within the industrial park, reducing logistics costs and minimizing exposure to fluctuations in raw material prices. This integrated supply chain ensures stable production even during market downturns.
Haili manufactures adipic acid using an advanced cyclohexanol nitric acid oxidation process based on the cyclohexene route, offering several significant advantages over conventional cyclohexane technology:
The company's production facilities operate continuously with high efficiency, supported by comprehensive inventory management systems. Domestically, Haili supplies customers across East China, South China, and North China. Internationally, its adipic acid is exported to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Japan, South Korea, and many other overseas markets, serving as a long-term supplier for numerous global advanced material manufacturers.
Traditional nitric acid oxidation technology for adipic acid production generates nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, making environmental protection one of the industry's biggest challenges.
Through continuous technological upgrades, Shandong Haili has successfully established a cleaner production system and was recognized as a Zibo Municipal Green Factory in 2026, becoming a regional benchmark for environmentally responsible adipic acid manufacturing.
The company independently developed a nitrous gas recovery system that captures and recycles exhaust gases from oxidation and drying processes. This significantly reduces NOx emissions while improving nitric acid utilization efficiency, simultaneously lowering emissions and raw material consumption.
Haili has established a complete environmental treatment system including:
Wastewater, exhaust gas, and solid waste are all processed through closed-loop environmental management systems, with emissions consistently meeting or exceeding national environmental standards. A digital monitoring platform provides real-time supervision of energy consumption and environmental performance around the clock.
Hydrogen generated from the chlor-alkali process is reused for cyclohexanone production, while waste heat is recycled throughout the industrial park. Catalyst recycling programs enable repeated utilization of copper and vanadium catalysts, reducing hazardous waste generation and lowering carbon emissions per ton of adipic acid produced. These initiatives support global carbon reduction goals and future international carbon border adjustment requirements.
Haili has established a dedicated R&D team focused on continuous technological improvements and product development.
Current innovation priorities include:
Supported by integrated ISO quality, environmental, and occupational health management systems, every batch of adipic acid undergoes comprehensive quality inspection. Particle size, acidity, ash content, and moisture levels are tightly controlled, ensuring excellent product consistency and reduced processing losses for downstream customers.
China's adipic acid industry is entering a new stage of structural transformation.
Several long-term growth drivers continue to reshape market demand:
Shandong Haili is well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities through three core competitive advantages.
Integrated cyclohexanone production provides stronger cost competitiveness and greater supply stability than standalone adipic acid manufacturers.
Certified green manufacturing facilities, advanced emission control technologies, and strong environmental compliance reduce operational risks while supporting export requirements under future carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
Consistent production of premium-grade adipic acid, long-term partnerships with domestic and international customers, and continuous investment in high-purity product development strengthen Haili's position in the global specialty chemicals market.
Adipic acid remains an indispensable raw material for the global advanced materials industry. Today, market competition extends far beyond production capacity—it increasingly depends on integrated supply chains, product quality, environmental performance, and technological innovation.
With an annual production capacity of 225,000 tons, Shandong Haili Chemical Industry has established a complete integrated manufacturing ecosystem, adopted environmentally responsible production technologies, and continues investing in high-end adipic acid development.
As demand for Nylon 66, biodegradable plastics, and advanced materials continues to grow worldwide, Haili will further optimize its adipic acid production facilities, expand its portfolio of high-value chemical products, and deliver stable, sustainable, and premium-quality adipic acid solutions to customers around the globe—strengthening its position as one of China's most competitive adipic acid manufacturers.
Mobile: +8615365186327
E-mail: sales3@liwei-chem.com
Website: www.shandong-haili.com
