Energy

As a typical resource-based city, the coal and power sector remains the cornerstone of Shuozhou’s economy. In 2026, the city will maintain annual coal production at around 200 million tonnes, while accelerating the shift toward intelligent, green, and safe mining. Plans are in place to complete smart upgrades for six coal mines. A landmark project underpinning this transition—the China Coal Pingshuo coal- based olefin new materials and downstream deep-processing integrated project, with a total investment of nearly RMB 30 billion—is set to enter the full- scale construction phase. The project will establish a comprehensive modern coal chemical value chain in Shuozhou, extending from raw coal to high-value materials, and is expected to drive the sector’s dual upgrade from low-end to high-end products and from fuel to advanced materials. At the same time, Shuozhou is seizing opportunities in renewable energy development to build a new-type power system. In 2026, the city will accelerate construction of the Huaneng Shuozhou integrated coal-power and renewable energy base, including the Shanyin 2×1 GW coal-fired power project. It will also expand green power capacity, advancing the launch of 24 new energy projects such as the China Coal Pingshuo 600 MW off-grid hydrogen production project and the Shuozhou Economic Development Zone green power industrial park, while ensuring the completion and grid connection of 13 projects, including the 100 MW Phase IV Gaojiayan wind power project in Pinglu.

China has deployed its most powerful battery-electric locomotive to date, marking a major leap in the electrification of medium- and long-distance rail freight. On April 9, China Railway Beijing Group announced that the “Lufeng” (Road Pioneer) new-energy locomotive has officially entered service on the 142- kilometer Shawei Railway in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. Developed independently by CRCC Industrial Equipment Group, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), the Lufeng is the country’s first battery-electric locomotive capable of meeting the demanding requirements of medium- and long-haul mainline freight operations. With a massive 4,200 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, it extends the application of pure- electric traction beyond short-distance shunting into full-scale intercity freight—a milestone that signals the arrival of a “pure-electric era” for China’s regional rail corridors. Rail branch lines play a critical role in transporting bulk commodities like coal from mines to national rail networks. Traditionally reliant on diesel locomotives, these routes have long struggled with high fuel consumption, significant emissions, and elevated operating costs. The Lufeng directly addresses these pain points by overcoming two key limitations of earlier electric locomotives: limited range and slow charging. The locomotive achieves dual breakthroughs in energy capacity and charging performance. Its modular, series-connected battery system delivers an 18% increase in energy density compared to conventional designs. An intelligent thermal management system continuously monitors battery health, enabling over 4,000 charge cycles and reliable operation even at -20°C. Crucially, the Lufeng can be fully recharged in just 1.5 hours—aligning seamlessly with the continuous scheduling demands of freight rail operations. Further enhancing efficiency, the locomotive features advanced regenerative braking and kinetic energy recovery technology. During braking or downhill runs, it automatically converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) to capture and reuse energy, achieving a remarkable 75% recovery efficiency.

The Key Role of Micropowder Wax in Plastics Processing Improving processing performance: Acting as an internal and external lubricant during extrusion or injection moulding, it reduces friction between the material and the equipment, as well as between the material molecules themselves. This lowers the plasticising torque, thereby reducing energy consumption during processing, improving moulding efficiency and output, and ensuring smoother demoulding. Enhancing Product Surface Quality: It migrates to the surface of the finished product to form a thin lubricating layer, significantly reducing the surface coefficient of friction to provide a smooth, silky feel. It also imparts a higher surface gloss and effectively prevents products from sticking together when stacked. Acts as an excellent dispersant: Particularly when used in colour masterbatches and filler masterbatches, it effectively encapsulates pigment and filler particles, preventing agglomeration, ensuring more uniform colour distribution, and reducing defects such as colour spots or streaks on the product surface.

Polypropylene wax primarily acts as a dispersant and processing aid in pigment processing, playing a particularly crucial role in the production of high-quality colour masterbatches, coatings and inks. Excellent dispersing properties: During pigment processing, polypropylene wax rapidly wets the surface of pigment particles, effectively preventing agglomeration and thereby achieving a stable, uniform dispersion. High compatibility with polypropylene (PP) systems: When pigments are ultimately used in PP plastic products (particularly fibres and films), the use of polypropylene wax as a dispersant offers a decisive advantage. This is because its chemical structure is identical to that of the PP matrix, ensuring excellent compatibility.

The role of microcrystalline wax in yarn coating: ‌Reducing friction: Microcrystalline wax possesses excellent flexibility and lubricity, forming a lubricating film on the yarn surface to reduce friction between the yarn and textile machinery, thereby lowering the yarn breakage rate. ‌Improving abrasion resistance: Enhances the yarn’s abrasion resistance during high-speed spinning and weaving processes, extending the yarn’s service life. ‌Improved Hand Feel: Ensures the final fabric feels softer and smoother. ‌Anti-static: Certain microcrystalline wax formulations can help reduce static electricity build-up during yarn production.

Microcrystalline wax is a waxy substance refined from petroleum. It possesses characteristics such as a high melting point, excellent flexibility and good adhesion, and is widely used in various industries including rubber, electronics and electrical appliances, and packaging. Industrial and Electronics Sectors Rubber and Plastics Processing: In the rubber industry, it prevents surface cracking and chalking whilst enhancing wear resistance; in plastics, it optimises flow properties and anti-adhesion, and is widely used in the casings of electronic products. Electrical and Electronic Insulation: Used as a sealant and insulating material for capacitor impregnation, battery sealing and cable insulation paper, it protects components from moisture damage.

Main applications of microcrystalline wax in casting: ‌As a component of wax patterns: Microcrystalline wax is commonly used in the formulation of precision casting wax compounds. It is blended in specific proportions with paraffin, resins, natural waxes and other materials to enhance the flexibility, resistance to deformation, surface finish and dimensional stability of the wax patterns. Suitable for high-precision castings: Widely used in fields with high demands for surface quality and dimensional accuracy, such as aeroengine blades, medical devices, automotive components and jewellery. Improved demoulding performance: Microcrystalline wax’s low-temperature plasticity and high-temperature stability facilitate the precise forming of wax patterns within complex moulds and help maintain their shape during the pouring process. Reduced post-processing: Castings produced using microcrystalline wax have a smooth, fine surface finish and typically require no additional polishing.

The key role of microcrystalline wax in scented candles‌ ‌Enhanced hardness and thermal stability‌: Microcrystalline wax significantly improves the structural strength of candles, preventing deformation or collapsing at high temperatures, making it particularly suitable for large- capacity or intricately shaped candles‌. ‌Reduced Shrinkage and Prevention of Cup Separation‌: Its low shrinkage rate helps the candle adhere closely to the inner walls of the container during cooling, preventing the ‘cup separation’ phenomenon‌. ‌Improved Surface Gloss and Texture‌: It makes the candle surface smoother and finer, enhancing its visual appeal‌. ‌Enhanced flexibility and ductility: Particularly suitable for DIY projects, as it reduces the risk of cracking and facilitates the addition of decorations such as dried flowers and colourants.

Excellent thermal stability and lubricity: Microcrystalline wax is composed of branched-chain alkanes and naphthenes. Compared to ordinary paraffin wax, it offers superior lubricity and thermal stability, and therefore performs exceptionally well in moulding processes involving higher temperatures. Long-lasting release performance: In the moulding of materials such as polyurethane, release agents containing microcrystalline wax can achieve a ‘one-coat, multiple-use’ effect, effectively improving production efficiency. High surface finish: Microcrystalline wax can be applied and polished multiple times, forming a smooth film on the mould surface. This results in a finished product with minimal surface imperfections and a high gloss finish, which is particularly important for industries with stringent aesthetic requirements.

Microcrystalline wax is a key ingredient in the production of high-quality shoe polish; it makes the polish easier to apply, ensures a long-lasting shine, and enhances the leather’s water-repellent and stain-resistant properties. It serves the following primary functions in the manufacturing of shoe polish: Formulation and stabilisation: Microcrystalline wax has excellent oil- absorbing properties, enabling it to ‘lock in’ the various oils and solvents within the shoe polish, forming a uniform and stable paste that prevents the separation of oils during storage. Enhancing shine and durability: With its fine crystalline structure, it generates a shine easily through friction and forms a tough, translucent protective film on the surface of leather shoes, making them shine more with each polish. At the same time, this wax film provides effective water and stain resistance.

Microcrystalline wax is a highly effective waterproof and moisture-resistant material, owing primarily to its chemical stability, strong water-repellency, good flexibility and excellent adhesion. It has a wide range of industrial applications, primarily in the following areas: Flooring and building materials: Used as a waterproof sealing layer for laminate flooring, it penetrates the surface of the material to form a waterproof barrier whilst preventing the release of harmful substances from the flooring. It is also used as a waterproof coating for corrugated cardboard boxes. Premium packaging: It is used as a waterproof layer in packaging boxes for tobacco, alcohol and cosmetics, providing dual waterproofing to prevent the packaging from becoming damp, softening and losing strength. Other industrial products: It is used as an ingredient in rust inhibitors, candles and polishes, utilising its stability and water resistance to provide sealing, protection and a glossy finish.

In the ink and coatings industry, microcrystalline wax is primarily used as an abrasion inhibitor, scratch-resistant agent and touch modifier, whilst also improving the formability of products. Abrasion and scratch resistance: After printing, the wax floats to the surface of the ink film to form a lubricating protective layer; this is one of its most important functions. Anti-adhesion and Slip: It prevents printed materials from sticking together when stacked and enhances slip, facilitating post-press processes such as cutting and stacking. Printability: In offset printing, it reduces ink viscosity, effectively minimising paper ‘fuzzing’ and ‘powdering’, thereby improving printing efficiency. Scratch Resistance: Particularly suitable for applications requiring high abrasion resistance, such as scratch-off inks used on airline tickets, lottery tickets and other prize-winning scratch-off products.

Microcrystalline wax can be used as a lubricant, with its applications primarily falling into the following categories: ‌As a thickening agent for greases: Microcrystalline wax possesses good gel strength and adhesion, and is commonly used as a thickening agent in the manufacture of greases for instrumentation and sealing, as well as in petrolatum-based products, effectively regulating the consistency and stability of the grease. ‌Direct use as an industrial lubricant: Microcrystalline wax reduces friction between mechanical components, protects metal surfaces and extends equipment lifespan, whilst also offering some rust-preventive properties. ‌Blending with other materials: Microcrystalline wax can be mixed with paraffin wax, mineral oil and other substances to improve lubrication performance; it is widely used as a processing aid in the rubber, plastics and textile industries.

Microcrystalline wax is primarily used as a functional additive in rubber and plastics processing to improve the processing properties of the material and the physical properties of the final product. ‌Role in rubber processing‌ ‌Enhancing weather resistance and anti-ageing properties‌: After vulcanisation, microcrystalline wax slowly migrates to the surface of the rubber, forming a dense, continuous physical protective film that effectively blocks the erosion of rubber molecular chains by ozone, oxygen and ultraviolet light, thereby delaying cracking and ageing. Role in plastics processing: Optimising flow properties: Acting as an internal lubricant, it reduces the viscosity of the plastic melt, improving mould filling and demoulding properties. Enhancing surface quality: It increases the gloss, abrasion resistance and anti-adhesion properties of the finished product, and is widely used in electronic product casings, packaging materials and similar applications.