China Advances Coal-to-Plastic Tech for Energy Independence

China is modernizing its petrochemical industry by reviving WWII-era Fischer-Tropsch technology, enabling the production of plastic without relying on petroleum. Researchers at Peking University have optimized this process with the addition of methyl bromide, significantly compressing CO2 emissions during reactions. This shift towards coal represents a strategic move to bolster China's energy independence amid rising global oil prices.