China has commissioned the world’s largest high-capacity facility for producing high-purity boron-10 isotope. The plant achieves a top enrichment level of 99.7 percent. Officials announced the milestone during a launch event on Monday in Dongying, Shandong Province.
This project strengthens China’s control over strategic materials. It also reduces the nation’s reliance on foreign technology in a critical industrial sector.
Breaking a Foreign Monopoly
The Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry (SRICI) developed the project alongside Shandong Heyi Gas Co. Their collaboration marks a major breakthrough in domestic manufacturing. Previously, overseas suppliers dominated this strategic isotope market.
Industry analysts state that the new facility fills a major gap in China’s supply chain. The isotope is vital for nuclear power, advanced medical applications, and high-end industrial fields.
Rapid Construction and Massive Output
The project team designed, built, and launched the 100-ton-scale facility in just 18 months. It achieved a successful start-up on its very first attempt.
The plant currently maintains stable operations. It is already producing 25 tons of qualified products. Engineers note that the 99.7 percent enrichment level still has room for further improvement.
Industry experts point out that this project makes the strategic material independently controllable within China. It places China among a select few nations capable of large-scale, high-purity boron-10 production. Academics have hailed the launch as a prime example of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.
Why Boron-10 Matters
Stable isotopes are crucial for nuclear technology and medical testing. In nuclear reactors, boron-10 absorbs neutrons to regulate chain reactions. This capability allows operators to shut down reactors, adjust power, and manage reactivity changes. It also serves as a core material for miniaturizing nuclear reactors.
However, separating boron isotopes has long been a global engineering challenge.
Overcoming Technical Hurdles
The SRICI research team utilized an advanced chemical exchange method to solve the problem. They broke through three core technologies:
Coupled enrichment through complex exchange.
Multi-stage, efficient, and precise cracking.
Full-material recycling.
These innovations solved traditional engineering issues like low separation efficiency, equipment corrosion, clogging, and high energy consumption. Furthermore, the breakthrough establishes a completely self-controlled technology pathway for China.
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