BASF introduces more innovations to meet the challenges of climate-friendly chemical production

By pursuing its ambitious carbon management programs, research and development activities and press conferences, BASF is creating new possibilities for pioneering projects to reduce future CO2 production processes.
and carbon dioxide neutral growth are the foundation of BASF's new corporate strategic commitment. To achieve this goal by 2030, the German-based giant is constantly adapting and optimizing existing processes to meet many of the challenges of a changing world
China
. The company's goal is to gradually replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and low-emission production processes and incorporate them into ambitious carbon management plans.
, BASF announced its research results in these processes, as well as new, innovative and climate-friendly products, at its research press conference in Ludwigsh, Germany.
"new technology
chemical reactions require energy, and fossil fuels are a source of carbon dioxide in the chemical industry. Basf's steam cracking furnace, for example, requires a temperature of 850 degrees C to break down the oil into olefins and aromatics. If this energy comes from renewable sources, CO2 emissions could be reduced by 90%.
, chairman of BASF's executive board and technical officer, said: "To meet climate protection targets, large-scale reductions in CO2 emissions are required. As a raw material, CO2 is only suitable for specific applications, so such use does not make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation. In
past few years, BASF has avoided significant CO2 emissions by optimizing production processes and efficiency, in the light of different social needs. In fact, BASF has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% since 1990, while production has doubled.
Brudermu?ller added: "To achieve another significant reduction in CO2 emissions requires new technologies, which is why BASF has launched an ambitious research and development programme. As
, BASF aims to develop the concept of electric heating in the world's first steam crackers within the next five years. However, material testing will also be necessary to determine which metal materials can withstand strong currents and which materials are suitable for use in high temperature reactors.
production of hydrogen also releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. The chemical industry uses a large amount of hydrogen as a reactant. At BASF, for example, it is used for ammonia synthesis. Hydrogen is also essential for many sustainable energy carriers and storage applications. As a result, BASF is working with its partners to develop a new process for producing hydrogen from natural gas.
technology allows natural gas to be broken down into hydrogen and carbon components; This process requires that if renewable energy is used, it is possible to produce hydrogen on an industrial scale without emitting carbon dioxide.
development of new catalysts is critical to success.
is a particularly important area in BASF's efforts to develop new low-emission processes. Large amounts of CO2 emissions from existing production methods can also be significantly reduced through "dry restructuring" of methane. This process produces a "synthetic gas" that is converted into olefins through intermediate steps of dimethyl ether.
BASF are now able to find ways to do this, and a new generation of catalysts is being sold in partnership with Linde. Depending on the supply of raw materials and renewable electricity, this innovative process can be used as a supplement or alternative to steam cracking electromechanical heating.
are committed to
and the project represents a unique combination of topics addressed by BASF's research activities. BASF's goal is to maintain its high spending and standards on research and development. These expenditures will reach 19 million euros in 2017 and the figures for 2018 will be announced at the annual press conference in February.
BASF's research projects include approximately 3,000 projects involving more than 11,000 employees worldwide. An important component of know-how is a network of collaborations with universities, research institutions and companies.