More than 1,000 green technologies were on show at the Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo this week, according to 36 Carbon.
The event, the first of its kind in China, lasted four days and showcased solutions to climate and environmental challenges.
Themed zones at the venue included energy efficiency, conservation, circular economy, transportation, and services.
The more than 600 exhibitors included global brands like Tesla, BASF, and Schneider Electric; Chinese state-owned enterprises such as Baowu Steel, Sinopec, and Shenergy; and Chinese private enterprises like Midea, Envision, and Cathay Bio.
Tesla presented its Gigafactory Shanghai, which it claims in 2022 helped it cut its greenhouse gas emissions per car produced worldwide by 30% year-on-year, due to more renewable energy use and greener manufacturing methods. It also showcased Solar Roof, a system of electricity-generating panels that closely resemble roof tiles.
Meanwhile, BASF introduced its latest processing technology to produce hydrogen from natural gas. And L’Oréal unveiled a product labelling system that rates lifecycle environmental performance.
As part of a plan to bring its metallurgy to net zero, Baowu Group revealed it is building China’s first hydrogen-based shaft furnace integrating hydrogen and coke oven gas and capable of producing a million tonnes of steel per year. The furnace, expected to be completed by January, will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 tonnes per year compared to a traditional furnace of the same scale, the company said.
Wangsu Science & Technology showcased a cooling system that immerses data servers in liquid. It can replace a fan-cooling system, and reduce IT equipment energy consumption by 10% to 20%, the company said. The first fully submerged data centre has already been built in Shanghai.
As the cost of these new technologies can hinder widespread adoption, the Shanghai expo aimed to help investors and companies discover promising projects, thereby drawing capital into climate and environment solutions.
Read China Dialogue’s recent article on how China’s construction and buildings industry is changing.