In 2024, the emphasis on green technological innovation within Chinese enterprises is more pronounced than ever, with higher educational institutions playing an instrumental role in fostering advancements that contribute to the green and low-carbon industrial landscapeThe pace of green technology innovation has been rapid, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on energy consumptionHowever, challenges remain in terms of the lengthy research and development periods and the high costs associated with inventing green and low-carbon patentsThese inventions typically see lower industrialization rates compared to their non-green counterparts, often taking over a year to reach market readiness.

Experts in the field contend that for the industrialization of green technologies to gain traction, a dual approach is requiredOn one hand, financial assistance is essential to stimulate innovative efforts; on the other, feasible business models need to be explored to enhance economic viability.

Universities in China have become crucibles for technological innovation, and one notable figure is Professor Shao Shengxi from Nanchang University's School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringHe has dedicated significant effort to researching algae biotechnology and its potential applications in environmental protection and carbon neutralityHailing from Yixing in Jiangsu Province, a region troubled with blue-green algae issues in Taihu Lake, Shao has innovatively redirected his focus. "Instead of endless efforts to remove algae, we should utilize ecological methods to intervene in the harmful algal bloom's population structure, replacing the harmful species with benign ones, and then capitalize on these harmless microalgae," he suggests.

Research indicates that one ton of algae can absorb 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide; however, the global production of cultivated algae remains limitedIn 2022, the market for cultivated microalgae was approximately 100,000 tons, corresponding only to 180,000 tons of carbon sequestration, roughly equivalent to the carbon emissions of a local power plant in a single day. "The key to breaking through in emergent industries like microalgal carbon neutrality and microalgae biomanufacturing lies in expanding market demand and unlocking the production capacity of microalgae," Shao elaborated

Advertisements

This innovation led to his first patent application centered around cultivating beneficial algae in the wild to absorb carbon dioxide while simultaneously inhibiting harmful algal growth.

Integrating technology with industry posed a challenge for ShaoTo bring algal cultivation technologies into the marketplace, he initially collaborated with a local environmental enterprise, Meixin Da in Huzhou, to explore the recycling of organic waste such as food residues and bamboo scrapsThis partnership focused on converting fermented organic waste into low-cost nutrient substrates for algae cultivation, thereby reducing carbon emissions during organic waste disposal while simultaneously lowering cultivation costsTo expand the burgeoning algae industry, the innovation of application scenarios and the unlocking of commercial value is crucial.

Algae contain a myriad of nutrients such as proteins, polysaccharides, and oils, making them beneficial for sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeticsShao's initial thought was to sell extracts from algae as nutritional ingredients to pet food manufacturers, focusing on producing protein-rich dog food that would help maintain pet healthHowever, uncertain market volumes hindered downstream manufacturers' willingness to invest in promoting this novelty. "Thus, we decided to enter the pet food market directly and develop our own products targeting consumers," he shared, revealing that his team is currently advancing relevant product research and mass production efforts.

Green technology encompasses a spectrum of innovations aimed at mitigating environmental pollution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy consumption, and improving ecological conditionsA recent report highlights the significant role that technological innovations from universities play in bolstering the green and low-carbon industrial development of enterprisesAmong enterprises acquiring green and low-carbon invention patents, 18.5% come from universities, and 6.7% from research institutions, surpassing the figures for non-green patents (13.8% and 4.8%, respectively). Furthermore, a remarkable 57.3% of green patents achieve realization through cooperative research and development with higher education institutions.

High energy-consuming industries have taken the lead in this green momentum

Advertisements

As of 2024, almost 50% of patent holders within Chinese enterprises have initiated or are planning green technological innovationsRankings show that the electricity, heat production, and supply sector leads in the proportion of companies engaging in green technological development, followed by the non-metallic mineral products sector and the manufacturing of chemicals and chemical productsThe energy and high-consumption industries excel in green technology innovation.

In strategic emerging industries, the ratio of companies that have engaged in green technological innovation is significantly higher when compared to non-strategic sectorsAccording to Shao Kunkun, General Manager of the State-owned Environmental High-end Equipment Manufacturing Base, "Energy companies possess strong financial capabilities; hence, they invest more in R&D for green technologiesThis has allowed the energy and high-consumption sectors to achieve relative maturity in green technological applications, placing them at a competitive advantage."

Industry experts note that the push from ambitious carbon neutrality policies could drive high-consumption sectors further into green technology adoptionIn this context, there are tangible benefits to be gained, such as reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and potential profits from carbon trading marketsNumerous successful case studies highlight this trendFor instance, the energy-saving reform project at Qian'an Zhonghua Coal Chemical Co., Ltd. involved deploying 280 high-efficiency motors, resulting in a CO2 emissions reduction of 400 tons annuallySimilarly, the roof-mounted photovoltaic building integration project at Chuan Kai Electric’s smart manufacturing base allows for energy savings of 274.51 tons of standard coal and annual reductions of 519.26 tons in CO2 emissionsThe new centralized heating project by Yingkou Thermal Power Group Co., Ltd. aims to save 8,532 tons of standard coal, resulting in a decrease of 23,000 tons in CO2 emissions yearly.

The promotion of green technologies requires significant financial backing

Advertisements

The development of green and low-carbon invention patents is often hampered by longer development cycles and increased R&D expenses, forming a barrier for enterprises pursuing these innovationsFor instance, 61.4% of companies report that their green inventions have an R&D cycle exceeding a year, while 20.7% spend over 1 million yuan on R&D investmentsThe average number of inventors for each green patent is 4.7, all statistics reflecting a marked difference from non-green inventions, which experience less stringent requirements.

Shao Kunkun emphasizes that the majority of green technological innovations take longer and yield lower returns, making it challenging to secure support from financial institutionsConsequently, innovators often have to rely on slow, incremental progress through original capital accumulationCurrently, many green patents remain in their nascent stages or have just entered growth phases, with industrialization timelines often surpassing one yearThe industrial return from green and low-carbon patents relative to R&D expenditure lags behind that of non-green patents, prompting a call for financial institutions to reallocate investments toward longer-term green technologies.

Recently, initiatives have been encouraged for financial institutions to enhance support for green technology applications through mechanisms such as green loans, green bonds, and carbon reduction support toolsHowever, to realize the full potential of green technology industrialization, it is vital to establish robust commercial modelsFor instance, in the environmental protection sector during the 1990s, companies primarily relied on acquiring international advanced technologies to drive growthAlthough the number of innovations stemming from independent R&D and collaborations with universities has grown substantially, the pathways for converting these results into real-world applications remain unclear.

Industry insiders suggest exploring existing successful promotional models in energy management that could be adapted for green technology industrialization

Advertisements

Advertisements