Green Transformation Along the Wujiang River: Technology Keys to Fuling’s Low-Carbon Shift

Chongqing - Rolling green mountains and clear waters frame the Fuling District in Chongqing, where a technology-driven green revolution is reshaping traditional manufacturing. From the world's largest adipic acid production base to century-old pickled mustard tuber techniques and established transformer factories, Fuling's enterprises are leveraging innovation to overcome environmental challenges and accelerate their low-carbon transition.

Smart Safety: Digital Shields for the Chemical Industry

At Huafon Group's smart monitoring center, a massive 3D screen tracks real-time data: movements of over 8,000 employees, critical parameters from 15 major hazard sources, and flow dynamics across 100+ underground sewage pipelines. This digital safety net is powered by Huafon's proprietary Integrated Smart Safety and Environmental Platform.

"The system integrates 200,000+ sensors to monitor personnel, equipment, materials, environment, and management in real time," stated Tang Zimin, Huafon's Safety Director. By combining IoT, big data, and digital twin technology, the platform shifts safety management from reactive to proactive—with AI detecting unsafe behaviors and triggering instant alerts for anomalies. Results are significant: 3,000+ hazards prevented, employee violations down 95%, and major accidents drastically reduced.

Green production breakthroughs include Huafon's self-developed adipic acid process achieving 96% carbon utilization efficiency. Crucially, its low-temperature catalytic decomposition technology for nitrous oxide (N₂O) reaches 99% decomposition rates, breaking foreign monopolies and providing a "Chinese solution" for non-CO₂ greenhouse gas reduction.

Waste-to-Value: Sustainable Solutions for Pickled Mustard Tuber

Fuling's signature pickled mustard tuber industry—worth billions—once struggled with high-salinity wastewater. At Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group, technology transformed this environmental burden into a circular resource.

Brine from the traditional "triple-pickling" process is now processed through Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology: salt is extracted for soy sauce production, while residual liquid cycles back into pickling pools. The system handles 800 tons of brine daily, yielding 220 tons of concentrate and 12 tons of crystalline salt—eliminating storage issues and cutting emissions at source.

Green innovation extends to agriculture. The Southeast Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences mapped the world's first high-quality genetic variation atlas for stem mustard (zhacai’s raw material). "This helps us identify genes controlling texture, flavor, and disease resistance," explained Deputy Dean Shi Pingping. New varieties like "Yuzao 100" and "ZB5" enable earlier harvests and two annual growing cycles, boosting land productivity.

Green Manufacturing: Powering Low-Carbon Transformation

In Chongqing Nari Bori Transformer Co., LTD.'s assembly plant, units destined for European renewable projects stand ready. This 40-year-old manufacturer is reinventing itself through sustainable innovation.

"Our 110kV natural-ester-insulated transformers last 50% longer with world-leading performance," said Innovation Director Liao Guanghua. By replacing mineral oil with plant-based insulation fluid, the company achieved full lifecycle sustainability. Rooftop solar panels generate 2 million kWh annually—covering 50% of energy needs while cutting 1,400 tons of CO₂ emissions—helping earn its "National Green Factory" designation.

Industrial Synergy in Green Hub

As a National Green Industrial Park, Fuling Hi-Tech Zone hosts 7 national and 15 municipal green factories. Notable projects include a 40,000-ton/year aluminum ash recycling initiative enabling full-chain pollution reduction, Taiji Group's circular "herb planting, medicine, residue, fertilizer, planting" system, repurposing 50,000+ tons of herbal waste annually, etc.

By 2024, green industries constituted over 84% of Fuling Hi-Tech Zone's large-scale industrial output—making sustainability the hallmark of quality growth.

Technology Ignites Green Renaissance

From Huafon's digital twins locking down risks, to Zhacai's genetic tech taming brine, to Bori's plant-powered transformers—Fuling proves technology is the catalyst for green transition.

When tradition converges with innovation, environmental responsibility becomes a competitive advantage. Fuling's journey charts a clear path: through science, lucid waters, and lush mountains, indeed, yield gold and silver mountains. Along the Wujiang River, relentless green innovation is forging a low-carbon future for global manufacturing.