Multiple subsidiaries of Hengdian Group are scaling up their recycling programs across different industries to drive more sustainable and circular long-term growth.

From photovoltaics to pharmaceuticals to new materials manufacturing, Hengdian Group’s companies have become more effective in treating and minimizing waste, to ensure all resources are utilized to the fullest in the most efficient and responsible ways.

DMEGC recycles calcium sludge from solar cell production

At DMEGC, an advanced recycling system has been set up for use in solar panel production.

It uses a highly efficient system that targets calcium fluoride sludge, a previously troublesome waste material created when processing silicon wafers and solar cells during photovoltaic module manufacturing.

Through an innovative fluidized-bed recycling system, DMEGC is able to turn calcium fluoride sludge waste into calcium fluoride crystals with a purity of over 90%, which can then be reused in solar cell production.  

Simultaneously, DMEGC also carries out waste recycling in its lithium battery production too, by reusing battery waste acid in solar energy production.

Meanwhile, a waste heat recovery project in DMEGC’s sintering workshop saves 1.62 million kWh of electricity annually, a huge reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Over the past three years, DMEGC has invested over RMB 300 million in green and energy-saving improvements. Together, these projects strengthen DMEGC’s circular economy, while also saving nearly RMB 3 million disposal fees. 

Apeloa uses methanol wastewater for sewage treatment

Apeloa Pharmaceutical has set up an innovative recycling system in its biological workshop that reuses wastewater containing different levels of methanol for other purposes, instead of discarding it directly.

Low-concentration methanol wastewater is used for sewage treatment, achieving a total nitrogen removal rate of up to 60%. Meanwhile, high-concentration methanol wastewater and waste gases are recycled by first passing through multi-stage distillation and then using cryogenic equipment. They are then repurposed into organic solvents for further use.

In Apeloa’s raw material drug production workshop, it has also enhanced its waste catalyst recovery process. This process recycles catalysts from wastewater, reducing hazardous materials while also generating savings.

Each year, Apeloa saves over 7 million RMB through its various recycling measures for waste liquids across its operations in different workshops.

“Previously, handling these wastes incurred significant costs, but with technological innovation we have not only tackled environmental challenges but also opened new avenues for economic benefit,” said the head of Apeloa’s EHS department.

Xinna halves energy use in silicon production by reusing steam

Xinna, Hengdian Group’s manufacturer for new materials like silicon and electronic ceramics, uses an effective system that recovers and reuses steam in a key part of its silicon production line.

By focusing on thermal energy recovery, Xinna has cut energy consumption in half, vastly reducing carbon emissions. “Thermal energy recovery is a major step in our green transformation,” a Xinna representative said. 

Xinna specializes in developing and producing silicon and electronic ceramics, which are used in products like electric vehicles, electronics, solar panels and semiconductors.

The recycling system optimizes thermal energy flow by reusing steam, the project’s lead engineer said, to make sure every bit of thermal energy is used efficiency.

Xinna has expanded waste heat recycling to subsidiaries in provinces including Fujian and Anhui. Together, these measures cut carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of tons each year, a huge step in Xinna’s move towards clean energy.

From solar energy to pharmaceuticals to advanced materials, Hengdian Group’s recycling and recovery systems prove that sustainability is one of the company’s top priorities. Together, these projects reflect Hengdian Group’s steadfast commitment to creating a circular economy.

By transforming waste into valuable resources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting innovation across every division, the Group is forging a greener, smarter and more resilient industrial future.