BASF, UA Cooperate in Cellulose Research

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – BASF has set up a research partnership with The University of Alabama to study the dissolution and processing of cellulose through use of ionic liquids. Under this partnership, the company has licensed the exclusive use of various intellectual property rights.

BASF and UA will continue to develop this specific application for use on a commercial scale. BASF is one of the most important global suppliers in the field of innovative ionic liquids, and the UA research team, headed by Dr. Robin Rogers, Distinguished University Research Professor of Chemistry and director of UA’s Center for Green Manufacturing, plays a globally leading role in the research of this specific chemistry.

A UA research team earlier demonstrated a new way to dissolve and use cellulose – found in the cell walls of trees and other plants – in producing environmentally friendly materials. Rogers was presented the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2005 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in June, in recognition of the new technology.

Present globally at a volume of some 700 billion tons, cellulose is the earth’s most widespread natural organic chemical and, thus, is highly important as a biorenewable resource. But even out of the 40 billion tons of cellulose that nature renews every year, only 0.1 billion tons are used as feedstock for further processing.

A more intensive utilization of cellulose as a biorenewable feedstock has to date been prevented by the lack of a suitable solvent that can be used in chemical processes. Through use of ionic liquids, however, real solutions of cellulose can now be produced for the first time at technically useful concentrations. This new technology therefore opens up great potential for cellulose processing.

BASF is already evaluating a variety of ideas that might improve the utilization of cellulose. For example, making cellulose fiber from so-called dissolving pulp currently involves the use, and subsequent disposal, of great volumes of various chemical additives. A total of some 600,000 metric tons of carbon disulfide (CS2) is consumed each year for this application.

For each ton of cellulose fiber harvested, more than two tons of waste substances are created. In addition, large volumes of waste water are produced that require disposal. By employing ionic liquids which serve as solvents, this process can be greatly simplified and waste creation minimized because the ionic liquids can be almost entirely recycled. This can clearly reduce the amount of additives needed.

“By combining our knowledge of innovative ionic liquids with the specific expertise that The University of Alabama possesses in the field of cellulose products, we are progressing into a fascinating area,” says Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, BASF’s Research Executive Director. “The intelligent use of ionic liquids in this field can lead to the sustainable long-term conservation of resources. We are focusing our development work on the entire range of applications in the cellulose market. We intend to harvest this potential quickly and purposefully by developing this new activity together with our customers and our research partner.”

BASF looks back on some four years of experience in the fairly recent field of ionic liquids, both in manufacturing these materials and in their full-scale industrial use. At its Ludwigshafen site, the company has for some years been running the world’s first large-scale industrial process that uses ionic liquids. This process allows fast and simple removal of acids from reaction mixtures.

By using an ionic liquid, the reaction of an acid with a base results in a liquid salt instead of solid crystals that frequently cause process problems in production. The use of ionic liquids eliminates the need for time-consuming and expensive filtration. The spent liquids can be easily separated from the desired products, like oil from water, and can also be recycled. 1‑Methylimidazol, which replaces other bases used to scavenge acid, also acts as a catalyst, thereby speeding up the reaction considerably.

“We believe that ionic liquids hold much promise for the future,” says Dr. Matthias Maase, who works in the New Business Development unit of the BASF Intermediates operating division. “As a result of their properties, they will open up entirely new fields of application, even outside of classical chemical uses. For example, think of ionic liquids as new materials or as engineering liquids used in the mechanical and automotive industries, and in oil and gas production. They might even be used in the field of renewable resources.”

The road to use in practice is taking shape, Maase says. “We are currently talking to companies from a broad variety of industries all over the world who have recognized the benefits of ionic liquids and are discussing concrete applications with us.”

In recognition of the development and application of its innovative ionic liquids, BASF recently received the “IChemE Award” from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the British association of chemical and process engineers. For its ionic liquids, BASF also won the “Innovation Award” of the “European Chemical News” trade journal in 2004.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful.

BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2004, BASF had approximately 82,000 employees and posted sales of more than €37 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com .