Starting Into the Future With a Flexible Raw Material Base

Tag : Industry raw materials
Press Release

BASF Catalysts LLC Release date: September 26, 2008

Starting Into the Future With a Flexible Raw Material Base BASF researchers develop new catalyst for the Fischer-Tropschsynthesis Process for manufacture of olefins from synthesis gaswill further strengthen BASF Verbund over the long term

September 26, 2008

Ludwigshafen, DE - The high prices of naphtha (crude petroleum) asa feedstock for steam crackers are prompting the chemical industryto re-evaluate alternative approaches to securing raw materialsupplies. One long-known process is the Fischer-Tropsch synthesisfor the industrial-scale conversion of synthesis gas (carbonmonoxide and hydrogen) into hydrocarbons. Experts from BASF'sCatalysis Research in Ludwigshafen have now developed a newcatalyst for this process that allows the dedicated production ofolefins for the company's production Verbund. This importantadvance is the starting shot for the process technology developmentwhich is scheduled for completion by the middle of the next decade.

"The use of synthesis gas will offer us the possibility ofbroadening our raw material base in future," emphasizes Dr. AndreasKreimeyer, Member of BASF's Board of Executive Directors andResearch Executive Director. "This is because synthesis gas can beobtained both from the fossil raw materials oil, gas and coal andfrom renewable resources." This flexibility in terms of the rawmaterial used but also the products synthesized makes thesuccessful further development of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis aninteresting alternative to cracker technology. The economicpotential for implementing the process in an industrial-scale plantnaturally depends on the raw material costs. At today's prices fornaphtha, the cost effectiveness of this process is established.

"The development of the new heterogeneous catalyst is so faradvanced that we can now begin customizing the correspondingprocess," explains Professor Dr. Rainer Diercks, Head of BASF'sCompetence Center Chemicals Research and Engineering and spokesmanof the Growth Cluster Raw Material Change. With the aid ofminiplant technology, the experts will establish the optimalreaction conditions and how the catalyst behaves under productionconditions. Development activities have so far focused on how tosignificantly increase selectivity for the production of olefinswith two to four carbon atoms. "Our researchers have alreadyachieved considerable successes in only two years after the projectlaunch in mid 2006," reports Professor Diercks. "This demonstratesthe great expertise of our employees and BASF's outstandingposition in catalyst research."

For the period 2006 to 2008, BASF has allocated altogether about100 million for research activities in the Growth Cluster RawMaterial Change. The scientists are addressing the entire range ofoptions available for supplementing the crude oil product naphthawith other raw materials for the various value chains. BASF seesthese options not only in the increased use of renewable resourcesbut especially of natural gas and, over the longer term, also ofcoal. Process innovations allowing the utilization of thealternative carbon sources will be vital for the stepwiseimplementation of raw material change.

Media Contact:
Ted Lowen
Global Director, Corporate Communications
732-205-6360
theodore.lowen@basf.com

Company Info:
BASF Catalysts LLC
554 Engelhard Dr.
Seneca, SC 29678
Phone: 864-882-9841, 800-336-8559 (toll free)
Fax: 864-885-1221
http:// www.catalysts.basf.com/Main/precious_base_metal_services
Email: (lonni.gustafson@basf.com, rick.clayton@basf.com,frank.ferro@basf.com