Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 264 Polyurethane

Through Han Xiuwen, Yan Hui gradually became acquainted with Chen Jian.

Chen Jian was in Jinan with his mentor, and aside from visiting the company's lab every day, he had a relatively free time. He didn't have any friends there, but he got along well with Yan Hui.

"Doctoral students are quite different from undergraduates. They basically follow their supervisors everywhere, and we always call our supervisors 'boss'." That day, Chen Jian explained to Yan Hui.

"So, your mentor decides everything for you?" Yan Hui asked, somewhat puzzled.

“That’s basically it. Unless someone is exceptionally talented and can handle the patents themselves, which is very difficult, the work done by doctoral students relies on laboratories provided by universities and companies. Such patents are unlikely to be their own,” Chen Jian sighed. He was a chemical engineering major, and in this industry, you have to invest money to achieve results, and spending other people’s money inevitably puts you under control.

"Why does it feel like even after pursuing a doctorate, there's still a sense of helplessness?" Yan Hui asked, somewhat surprised.

His younger sister is taking the college entrance exam this year, and he thinks college students have a bright future. However, after getting to know Chen Jian, Yan Hui discovered that doctoral students are not as impressive as they seem.

"For us chemical engineering students, this is a golden age, with limitless prospects ahead. This is both true and false. 'One general's success is built on the bones of countless others.' Very few people can actually obtain patents or investment; most just coast through their time in the lab or at school." After getting to know Yan Hui, Chen Jian wasn't embarrassed to say this.

"I only know one PhD student, and to be honest, I don't even know a single master's student. I think you can definitely do it." Yan Hui's words were true, though not very convincing.

"Haha, you can't say that."

“By the way,” Yan Hui suddenly remembered something, “Old Chen, what do you think of the future of the chemical industry?”

"The situation in China is definitely very good right now. Many factories are experiencing a shortage of supply. In fact, China's foundation is quite good. Once it joins the WTO, the chemical industry, as an important part of the manufacturing industry, will inevitably experience rapid growth," Chen Jian said, offering his assessment.

"You've been abroad? It seems like your understanding of the situation goes beyond just the domestic one," Yan Hui said, somewhat surprised.

“Well, I studied in Germany for a month, but... although the school had spots available, the cost of living there was too high, and I couldn't afford it.” Chen Jian sighed. “My partner and I are just ordinary people.”

"If you have another opportunity to study abroad, just tell me, and I'll sponsor you." Yan Hui thought Chen Jian was a talented person and planned to invest in him.

As for why he thought Chen Jian was a talented person, the answer is simple—Yan Hui only knew this one PhD.

"Huh?" Chen Jian was surprised and looked at Yan Hui. "Are you that capable?"

"I'm a boss, no matter what." Yan Hui said with some pride.

"This..." Chen Jian realized Yan Hui wasn't joking, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's talk about it later. These kinds of opportunities are quite rare."

“Yes, actually I’ve been paying attention to the chemical industry for a long time. I even read about the Yantai Synthetic Leather Factory in a book I read before.” Yan Hui recalled his previous experience. “You still remember that company? It’s changed its name to Wanhua Polyurethane Co., Ltd., and it officially went public last month, on January 5th if I remember correctly.” Chen Jian remarked, “It’ll probably be a giant in the future.”

"It's already on the market? That's amazing!" Yan Hui was also somewhat surprised. "What exactly is this polyurethane?"

"Polyurethane? That's a great stuff. Whoever can produce it now will definitely be in high demand, with demand far exceeding production." Chen Jian thought for a moment and began to explain the science to Yan Hui.

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer compound formed by the polymerization of isocyanates and polyols. It can be a rigid solid, a very soft foam, or an adhesive. It can be used in the construction industry as insulation materials, sealants, and coatings; as fillers and interior trim parts; and also as protective sheaths for electrical wires, shoe soles, and paints.
"Huh? There's such a versatile thing?" If Chen Jian hadn't told him, Yan Hui would have thought it was nonsense.

How could such materials exist in the world?

"That's how the chemical industry is. Maybe only one out of tens of thousands of experiments will yield a result suitable for industrial production. Basically, every product is utilized to the maximum extent possible, and its applications in various states are developed. Although Wanhua is a giant in polyurethane, they also sell materials used in its production, such as their polyether, which my current company uses. Besides Wanhua, Lanxing in Linzi is also good; they're all larger than my company," Chen Jian explained briefly.

"How is this polyurethane produced? Is it difficult to manufacture?" Yan Hui asked, intrigued.

"You're interested? Planning to put this into production? Let me tell you, the chemical industry is no joke. If you want to start large-scale production, you need at least 100 million yuan in funding." Chen Jian interrupted Yan Hui's fantasy.

“You understand chemicals, but you don’t understand investment. This is something that’s done step by step. As long as you can build it in the lab, there are plenty of places to attract investment and loans. Money isn’t the primary issue. Tell me about it.” Yan Hui spoke with great confidence.

Chen Jian was somewhat speechless, but since he had finally met someone who was interested in his field, he began to explain.

Currently, there are numerous methods for producing polyurethane in the laboratory, but only two methods are generally used in industrial production.

The first method is called the "one-step method," which involves mixing polyols, isocyanates, catalysts, and foaming agents together. This method is generally used to produce foamed plastics. This method is very simple, but it has very high requirements for temperature, pressure, and stirring speed, which are all confidential data of each factory.

The second method is called the "prepolymer method". First, a prepolymer with a low molecular weight is prepared, and then excess isocyanate and polyol are introduced to react. In this case, the properties of the product can be precisely controlled and it can be used to make coatings, adhesives, etc.

This method is obviously more difficult and cumbersome, but the products produced are better and in greater demand.

The second method is several times more difficult. First, the production of the prepolymer is very difficult. Then there is the control of temperature, pressure, and reaction rate. Next is the use of catalysts. Finally, there are many processing steps such as ripening and drying.

One wrong step and the whole pot is ruined.

"So, if we're going to do it, we have to do the second type? Do you know how?" Yan Hui asked.

“Me?” Chen Jian pointed to himself. “Do you have some misunderstanding about the word ‘PhD’? How could I possibly be one? At most, I understand catalysts. And this reaction process is not something one person can oversee. Looking at the groups in China that can oversee this process, it’s all led by a professor.”

(End of this chapter)