Moon Environment Advances Core Cryogenic Equipment in Service of National Priorities

From large-scale scientific facilities to future fusion energy, domestic development of critical equipment is a key pillar of scientific and technological self-reliance. In October 2026, China achieved a significant breakthrough in domestically developed kilowatt-class superfluid helium refrigeration technology at 2 K, demonstrating its sustained commitment and capabilities in core cryogenic equipment. To meet major national scientific and technological needs, high-end equipment manufacturers must keep pace with the frontiers of science while drawing on their own strengths and long-term technical expertise.demonstrating sustained commitment and capabilities in core cryogenic equipment

For Moon Environment, a state-controlled enterprise specializing in compressor technology and high-end equipment manufacturing, this breakthrough raises a further question: how can accumulated technical expertise be translated into the capability to support major national scientific and technological needs his breakthrough raises an important question

China’s first domestically developed kilowatt-class 2 K superfluid helium cold compressor passes dedicated cryogenic performance testing. (Image credit: Technical Institute of Physicspasses specialized cryogenic performance testing。 

A Decade of Dedicated Development

Building a Strong Technological Foundation for Cryogenic Equipment

Behind each helium compressor lies more than a decade of technical development and sustained exploration. From launching collaborative research in 2015 and achieving a breakthrough in helium compressors for cryogenic applications in 2016, to winning First Prize in the China Machinery Industry Science and Technology Awards in 2019 for a project undertaken with Xi’an Jiaotong University, Moon Environment has consistently advanced technology development and engineering applications.

The company subsequently strengthened cooperation with research institutions, including the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zhongshan Institute of Advanced Cryogenic Technology, while expanding its range of applications. By 2026, it had undertaken more than 20 helium compressor projects and delivered over 40 units and packages, steadily building expertise across collaborative research, technology development and engineering deployment.

2015  Launching Collaborative Research

Drawing on decades of compressor expertise, Moon Environment formally launched collaborative research on helium compressors, supplying equipment to Chinese research institutes and entering the cryogenic equipment sector.

2016  Achieving a Development Breakthrough

The company successfully developed helium compressors for cryogenic applications, supporting projects involving large-scale refrigeration systems operating in the liquid-helium temperature range.

2017–2018  Expanding Applications

Moon Environment’s products were progressively deployed in cryogenic research facilities, superconducting magnets and helium liquefaction equipment. Its helium screw compressor passed an appraisal by the China Machinery Industry Federation. The appraisal concluded that the product filled a gap in the domestic market, that the prototype’s overall performance met advanced international standards, and that key technical indicators, including volumetric and isothermal efficiencies, were internationally leading.

2019  Winning First Prize in the Industry

The joint project with Xi’an Jiaotong University, “Research, Development and Application of Key Screw Compressor Technologies for Special Working Fluids under Extreme Operating Conditions,” received First Prize in the China Machinery Industry Science and Technology Awards.

2020–2024  Diversifying Applications

Moon Environment continued to deploy its products in large-scale scientific facilities, superconductivity and cryogenic energy applications, serving additional research institutions and key projects. Cooperation with research platforms, including the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zhongshan Institute of Advanced Cryogenic Technology, supported ongoing upgrades for greater refrigeration capacity, higher efficiency and a broader range of applications.

2025–2026  Deepening Innovation Partnerships

The company continued to improve product performance and integrated system solutions, providing reliable equipment support for major national scientific and technological needs, including large-scale scientific facilities and controlled nuclear fusion.

Its medium- and high-flow helium screw compressors were selected among the “Top Ten Achievements in the Helium Industry Chain” by the China Industrial Gases Industry Association.

Supporting Frontier Technologies

Expanding Applications for High End Equipment

As key components of large-scale cryogenic refrigeration systems, Moon Environment’s helium screw compressors are designed to meet the compression requirements of special working fluids and cryogenic refrigeration. Development efforts continue to improve operating efficiency, sealing reliability and system compatibility.

A Broad Range of Product Specifications

Meeting Diverse Process Requirements

Building on its helium screw compressor design and manufacturing expertise, Moon Environment has developed a product range for different flow rates, pressures and operating conditions. Displacement capacities range from 100 to 14,000 m³/h, with a maximum design pressure of 5.2 MPa. Single-stage or two-stage compression and associated systems can be configured to meet specific requirements, providing critical compression equipment for cryogenic refrigeration systems in nuclear fusion and large-scale scientific facilities.

Continuous Optimization of Core Technologies

Combining Efficiency and Reliability

High-efficiency rotor profiles designed specifically for helium, combined multi-point oil injection and reliable sealing technologies optimize the compression process, improve operating efficiency and reduce the risk of helium leakage. The equipment also features a compact structure, low noise and low vibration.

Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Control

Enhancing Product Quality

Digitalized intelligent production lines and 3D printing improve manufacturing quality and customization capabilities. Automated control systems simplify operational management and support unattended operation.

Meeting Major Scientific and Technological Needs

Extending Applications at the Frontiers of Science

Potential applications include large-scale cryogenic refrigeration systems, superfluid helium and superconducting systems, controlled nuclear fusion, quantum computing, space technology, liquid hydrogen production and helium recovery from LNG. These applications provide critical equipment support for major scientific infrastructure and frontier technology development.

Moon Environment Helium Compressor Package

From core technology development and manufacturing to integration into different cryogenic systems, Moon Environment continues to build expertise in helium compressor design, manufacturing and engineering applications. Its ongoing focus on efficiency, reliability and intelligent operation supports large-scale cryogenic refrigeration systems and related high-end equipment.

Building on Industrial Strengths

Serving Major National Priorities

From large-scale scientific facilities to future energy technologies such as controlled nuclear fusion, independent development and reliable operation of critical equipment require coordination across the industrial supply chain. As a state-controlled high-end equipment manufacturer, Moon Environment must continue to strengthen its core competitiveness while proactively addressing major national scientific and technological needs and contributing to domestic development of high-end equipment.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Moon Environment will build on its experience in compressor design, manufacturing and engineering applications. It will continue to recruit and develop high-caliber professionals, strengthen its specialist technical workforce, and improve mechanisms that integrate talent development, technological innovation and engineering practice to stimulate researchers’ innovative potential.

Focusing on key technologies such as cryogenic equipment and compression of special working fluids, the company will continue to increase R&D investment, strengthen critical technology development and experimental validation capabilities, and deepen industry–university–research collaboration. By integrating its talent, technology and industrial strengths, Moon Environment aims to accelerate the transfer of research results into engineering applications and enhance its independent R&D and innovation capabilities in high-end equipment, providing strong support for major national scientific and technological needs and domestic equipment development.

By aligning corporate development with national scientific and technological progress and translating technological innovation into practical capabilities that serve national strategies, Moon Environment will strengthen its foundations through long-term expertise and advance high-end equipment through independent innovation. In supporting major national scientific and technological needs, it will fulfill its mission and responsibilities as a state-owned enterprise.