Revolution in chemistry: CO₂ discovered as a valuable raw material!

Revolution in chemistry: CO₂ discovered as a valuable raw material!

Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), the Ruhr University Bochum and Evonik Oxeno have developed a groundbreaking catalyst system that uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a raw material for the chemical industry. This innovative process has the potential to make the production of important products such as fragrances and plastics more environmentally friendly. Prof. Dr. Robert Franke from the Ruhr University Bochum emphasizes that the direct use of CO₂ as a raw material represents a milestone for sustainable chemistry on an industrial scale.

The newly developed bimetallic catalyst system replaces toxic carbon monoxide with CO₂ and green hydrogen. This occurs as part of a key process in the chemical industry known as carbonylation. Olefins are reacted with carbon monoxide to form esters or acids. The new approach converts olefins directly into esters, ensuring high selectivity for linear products.

Sustainability and resource conservation

The project aims to decarbonize the chemical industry and treat CO₂ as a valuable raw material rather than a waste product. Ralf Jackstell, thematic group leader at LIKAT, emphasizes the new perspective in the use of CO₂, which enables resource-saving production processes. This approach could make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The results of this research were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, highlighting the scientific relevance and advances in chemical research.

Chemistry conference and market opportunities

The importance of these developments was also made clear at the recently held Carbon2Chem® conference, in which around 160 participants took part both analogously and virtually. Dr. Markus Oles, overall coordinator of Carbon2Chem®, gave a positive interim assessment of the progress in the project, especially in the areas of gas purification and methanol production. The next phase will focus on recycling, cement and chemistry.

The discussions at the conference also highlighted the challenges of implementing the Carbon2Chem® approach in Germany. Prof. Robert Schlögl from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation expressed concerns about legal framework conditions and high energy prices, which could influence the competitiveness of CO₂ utilization technologies. There is also skepticism in Brussels about Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), which could encourage implementation abroad.

The need to transfer results to other industries was emphasized by Till Mansmann, innovation officer at the BMBF. This could be crucial in order to take full advantage of the newly developed processes and open up new perspectives for the chemical industry.

Overall, current research shows that CO₂ is becoming a timely focus as a valuable raw material for the chemical industry in order to proactively address the challenges of climate change.