China’s soda ash industry enjoys a long and glorious history, and Boyuan’s natural alkali enterprise has forged ahead with tremendous momentum. In the late 1970s, 13 young pioneers rooted in the Mu Us Desert and created a splendid chapter of China’s natural alkali industry. At the turn of the century, by the Huai River, Boyuan’s team strove relentlessly and built the "Capital of China’s Natural Alkali". Today, we continue to write the legend of China’s natural alkali in the Gobi of northern Xinjiang.
In the autumn of 2018, the exploration right of the Tamusu natural alkali deposit in Alxa was put up for public bidding. Bordering the China-Mongolia frontier Gobi to the north and the Badain Jaran Desert to the south, it had been a desolate, uninhabited wilderness since ancient times. Plagued by sandstorms, scorching heat, bitter cold and severe drought, the land deterred most people for its harshness and remoteness. However, after thorough geological research, Boyuan recognized its huge potential and won the bidding.
We assembled a professional team to conduct detailed exploration and discovered high-quality ore deposits. With foresight and courage, we abandoned the traditional alcohol-coal route, focused on the Yingen area, and drew a grand blueprint for natural alkali development.
From site survey, drilling tests to foundation laying and construction, Boyuan’s builders chased dreams in the vast Gobi. Braving sandstorms and freezing winds, they worked with unwavering perseverance to pave the way for success; working day and night against scorching sun, they strove to scale new industrial heights. They planned meticulously in simple sheds and toiled tirelessly on the construction site, fighting day and night to push the project forward.
To solve water supply, we laid a 350-kilometer pipeline through mountains and deserts, with all 30,000 welding seams completely flawless. Despite repeated disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, we stayed united, strictly followed the schedule, and overcame difficulties through government-enterprise collaboration.
After more than 1,000 days and nights of hard work by tens of thousands of builders, the first production line of the Alxa Natural Alkali Project rolled out qualified products in June 2023. The first phase reached full designed capacity in the following year, and the second phase was completed and put into operation one year later. With an annual capacity of ten million tons, it has become the world’s largest natural alkali production base, ushering in a new industrial era and reshaping the global soda ash market landscape.
Emerging as a new chemical city in the Gobi, this shining pearl of northern Xinjiang has amazed the whole nation. Its grand scale, rapid construction, superb quality, advanced technology, top-tier equipment and fruitful innovations have earned worldwide attention and led the industry.
Boyuan masters independent core technologies and innovates production processes to build core competitiveness. We efficiently exploit thin ore beds, greatly improve resource utilization, solve the problem of ore composition changes, and set new records for single-line capacity. Technological innovations reduce energy consumption by 40% and water consumption by more than 50%. Refined alkali liquor technology consolidates our quality leadership, and meticulous craftsmanship forges a world-class brand.
The once barren desert has been utterly transformed. Saxaul, euphrates poplar, red willow and Russian olive thrive, turning the thousand-li Gobi green. At night, bright lights illuminate the wilderness, and neon glows against the starry sky. The once uninhabited wilderness has become a livable, eco-friendly chemical complex, a place everyone yearns for.
The journey of the Alxa Natural Alkali Project is arduous but glorious, and Boyuan’s spirit will be immortalized in history. Guided by the goal of building a strong soda ash country, we worked hand in hand with the construction army of China National Chemical Engineering; committed to creating social value, we received strong support from Party committees and governments at all levels.
With the courage to march forward despite all difficulties, Boyuan people composed an epic of entrepreneurship that "fights against heaven and earth, moves the world, and transforms the land". We blazed new trails where there were none, turned impossibilities into realities, and created a miracle acclaimed by the world. A new era of China’s natural alkali industry has begun, and the global alkali chemical landscape has been reshaped.
Led by the Party building, we consolidate our foundation and forge our soul; through innovation, we open new prospects. Guided by the "dual carbon" goals, we explore low-carbon development paths, integrate new energy, and layout future industries. We break into new tracks, achieve carbon-free coal utilization, build new industrial chains of green hydrogen, ammonia and alcohol, and synthesize new products using wind, solar, air and water resources, writing a new chapter of high-quality development.
Today’s Boyuan is deeply rooted and thriving. Responding to the call of the times, we join hands with peers to develop green chemical industry; shouldering the national mission, we march toward a zero-carbon future.
Tomorrow’s Boyuan has a bright future. The vast Gobi holds abundant resources, and the goal of building a century-old enterprise is bound to come true.
Great Boyuan stands firm and ambitious, marching toward a bright future; sincere Boyuan upholds integrity, embracing the spring breeze of the era.
The construction of the Alxa Natural Alkali Project has gone through countless hardships. With its successful completion, we are filled with deep emotion. Here, I sincerely thank Party committees and governments at all levels and friends from all walks of life. As a veteran of Boyuan, I also pay the highest tribute to all Boyuan staff!
Dai Lianrong
December 2025
