TECH SPECIAL.... 4: New Developments in CO2 Utilsation

4: New Developments in CO2 Utilsation

And the chemicals giant BASF too has cast an eye on the exhaust gas. After conducting research on CO₂-based Sodium acrylate within the framework of the Acer project, the group is working on the manufacture of Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) from CO₂ and Propylene oxide. To facilitate the market introduction of such products, the Ludwigshafen-based group has developed new plastic formulas from PPC and Polyhydroxyl butyrate (PHB) or Poly-milk acid with partners from industry and research.

How Green is the Process?

Is the industry now climate-neutral? Not wholly. Of course, the use of CO₂ will help save crude oil, but fossil-based raw materials cannot be avoided. What remains of the green industry in view of the estimated 70 million tons of CO₂, which the German chemicals industry blows into the atmosphere year after year through the chimney?

Initial calculations of the RWTH sound optimistic: Over the entire life cycle, the Dream Production would consume less energy than the petrochemical process, say the researchers. The attempted 5000 tonnes per annum are not enormous by itself – but they certainly announce another important step on a path that is very long.

02/12/2017 | Author / Editor: Dominik Stephan PROCESS WORLDWIDE

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