Yulin榆林
Tier 3 - Medium CityChina's "Energy Golden Triangle" cornerstone. Yulin produces 620 million tons of coal annually (13% of national total) and has built a ~400 billion yuan modern coal chemical industry that converts coal into ethylene glycol, olefins, ethanol, and biodegradable materials. Home to the world's largest coal-to-ethylene glycol project and the world's largest coal quality clean conversion project under construction.
GDP
$75B
2024
Population
3.62M
residents
GDP per Capita
$21K
1.6x national avg
Industry Output
¥450B
2 frontier sectors
History & Context
Yulin's modern development is rooted in the discovery and exploitation of vast coal reserves in the Ordos Basin. The Yulin Economic & Technological Development Zone was established in 1993, initially focused on coal mining and power generation. The 2010s saw a strategic pivot to modern coal chemical industry — converting raw coal into high-value chemicals rather than simply burning it. Key milestones include the integration with Yushen Industrial Zone (2012), the National Energy Revolution Innovation Demonstration Zone approval (2021), and the Yu-E-Ning National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster designation (2024). The 1500万吨/年 coal quality clean conversion project, the world's largest, represents Yulin's ambition to become a "world-class high-end energy chemical base."
Industrial Development Timeline
ETZ established
Yulin Economic & Technological Development Zone established, beginning industrial development.
Yushen integration
"Two signs, one team" integration with Yushen Industrial Zone consolidates coal chemical development.
Energy Revolution Zone
Shaanxi Yulin Energy Revolution Innovation Demonstration Zone approved by NDRC and NEA.
National cluster
Yu-E-Ning Modern Coal Chemical Cluster designated National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster. World's largest coal-to-ethylene glycol project operational.
Key Facts
620 million tons coal production (2024, 13% of national total, 80% of Shaanxi)
World's largest coal-to-ethylene glycol project (1.8M tons/year, 1/3 of national output)
Yu-E-Ning Modern Coal Chemical Cluster designated National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster (2024)
1500万吨/年 coal quality clean conversion project
world's largest under construction
GDP >750 billion yuan (~20% of Shaanxi province)
Manufacturing Sectors
Advanced Materials
新材料
Modern coal chemical industry: coal-to-olefins, coal-to-ethylene glycol, coal-to-oil, coal-based new materials
New Energy (Solar, Hydrogen)
新能源
Hydrogen energy, CCUS, coal-to-ethanol, coal-based biodegradable materials
Industrial Parks & Zones
Major development zones and high-tech parks in Yulin
Major Companies
Shaanxi Coal Yulin Chemical
陕煤榆林化学
World's largest coal-to-ethylene glycol project (1.8M tons/year) — 1/5 of national capacity, 1/3 of national output. 1500万吨/年 coal quality clean conversion project (world's largest under construction).
Founded 2018
CHN Energy Yulin Chemical
国能榆林化工
Global first 50,000 tons/year coal-based PGA (polyglycolic acid) biodegradable material demonstration. Coal-to-olefins with international leading energy efficiency.
Founded 2010
Yanchang Petroleum Yulin Coal Chemical
延长石油榆林煤化
850,000 tons/year methanol, 400,000 tons/year acetic acid. Building domestic first "coal-methanol-ethanol-vinyl acetate-POE" full chain.
Founded 2012