Dow Chemical and Süd-Chemie Seeking Alternative Chemical Production Method

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and Süd-Chemie announced an agreement to research alternative routes to produce chemicals to help reduce dependence on traditional sources of oil and gas. The collaborative research aims to convert synthesis gas (syngas), that can be derived from abundant resources such as coal or biomass, to "building block” chemicals in a more efficient and economical process.

"This research partnership with Süd-Chemie demonstrates our commitment to generate sustainable solutions that address global energy challenges, while building our portfolio of alternative energy and raw material options,” said Juan Luciano, senior vice president, Hydrocarbons and Basic Plastics. "Dow is exploring innovative ways to reduce our reliance on oil and gas as the raw materials we use to produce chemicals and plastics. Conversion of syngas based on coal or biomass is a promising route for the scale that Dow needs to have an impact.”

As a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, syngas can be produced through gasification and reforming processes from a wide variety of abundant raw materials including coal, petroleum coke, biomass, natural gas and waste products. This highly versatile intermediate can be converted then to "building block” chemicals, plastics, electricity, and transportation fuels with existing technology, but current capital and conversion costs are steep. Dow and Süd-Chemie’s research will focus on making the conversion process more efficient and economically viable.

Dow and Süd-Chemie will be developing the terms of the joint research and development effort within a couple of months with a plan to initiate the program in April 2009. Focusing on the development and manufacturing of catalysts for the conversion of syngas to chemicals and the direct conversion of syngas to olefins, this joint research program will be conducted in The Netherlands at Dow’s Terneuzen site and at Sud-Chemie's catalyst research and development centers located in Germany and the U.S.

Source: azom.com