Olefins, traditionally derived from oil, are important basic materials for the modern chemical industry. To make olefins from coal rather than oil has been a dream and also a big challenge for scientists all over the world. The step from methanol to olefins is vital in the transformation from coal or natural gas to olefins, as technologies for turning coal into methanol and olefins into other chemicals have been well established. The team at the CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Olefins, traditionally derived from oil, are important basic materials for the modern chemical industry. To make olefins from coal rather than oil has been a dream and also a big challenge for scientists all over the world. The step from methanol to olefins is vital in the transformation from coal or natural gas to olefins, as technologies for turning coal into methanol and olefins into other chemicals have been well established. The team at the CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical