Connecting the key link from "a drop of oil" to "a cable," Shanghai Petrochemical releases 110kV high-voltage cable insulation base material

(Source: Labor Daily)

Translated from: Labor Daily

On March 24, a special-purpose tanker truck loaded with the insulation compound feedstock for the first batch of 110kV ultra-pure high-voltage power cables departed from the Shanghai Petrochemical production base. On the same day, China Petrochemical Shanghai Petrochemical, together with China Petrochemical Chemical Sales East China Branch and Zhejiang Wanma Co., Ltd., jointly released J182C—an insulation compound dedicated base material for 110kV (kilovolt) and above ultra-high-voltage power cables—marking that Shanghai Petrochemical has successfully overcome the production challenges of base materials for 110kV high-voltage cable insulation and achieved large-scale application, thereby building a full-chain “production, education, research, and application” ecosystem for high-end cable insulation base materials.

Our country is the world’s largest consumer of wire and cable, accounting for 34% of the global share. Independent and controllable insulation materials directly relate to the security of the nation’s energy lifeline. The cable compound J182C independently developed by Shanghai Petrochemical features characteristics such as low dielectric loss, high volume resistivity, and excellent processing stability. Its high weather resistance and anti-hydrolysis performance can effectively ensure the insulation stability of cables in complex environments. It is mainly used for the insulation layer of high-voltage cables at voltage levels of 110kV and above, and can meet the stringent requirements in fields such as new energy, rail transit, and urban power grids for high-performance cable materials.

110kV high-voltage power transmission and distribution power cables. Courtesy of Shanghai Petrochemical

It is understood that Shanghai Petrochemical has a complete integrated industrial chain of “crude oil—ethylene—polyolefins.” As early as 1996, it began producing 10kV cable compounds; the following year, it started producing 35kV cable compounds, with relevant production unit indicators at a leading level domestically. Meanwhile, with technical support from the China Academy of Engineering Physics, the Shanghai Cable Research Institute, the North Chemical Industry Institute, and Zhejiang University, Shanghai Petrochemical has successfully connected the key steps from “a drop of oil” to “a single cable,” advancing the localization process of ultra-high-voltage cable materials in our country from a “single-point breakthrough” to a new stage of “full-chain independent development.” This is of great significance for reducing the industry chain’s dependence on external sources and improving the international competitiveness of our power equipment and new materials industries.

In terms of innovation in cable base material R&D, Shanghai Petrochemical has deepened industry-university cooperation with Zhejiang University; Chemical Sales East China strengthened the integration and mutual reinforcement of innovation in the industrial chain and innovation in the supply chain. Both sides, together with a domestic leading cable company, Zhejiang Wanma, signed a three-party strategic cooperation intent letter, and will jointly develop ultra-high-voltage cable compounds.

Under efficient coordination between production and sales, Shanghai Petrochemical has built a leading fully enclosed, automated ultra-clean production line for cable base materials. It controls the fluctuation range of key performance parameters such as melt flow index within ±0.1, innovates with a “tanker truck direct delivery” mode, and builds for J182C an “ultra-clean” supply chain covering all links of production, testing, and logistics. After the product completes technological breakthroughs and industrialization validation, its end-use cable products have been effectively applied in major projects such as the State Grid and Southern Grid.

In 2026, Shanghai Petrochemical’s planned annual production of J182C is expected to reach 7,000 tons. This will further solidify the domestic market, while also accelerating efforts to industrialize 220kV ultra-high-voltage and 500kV-and-above ultra-high-voltage cable insulation compound projects.

The headline image shows the joint release conference at which Shanghai Petrochemical’s ultra-clean high-voltage polyethylene cable insulation compound base material was announced. Courtesy of Shanghai Petrochemical

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