RWTH Rector Professor Ulrich Rüdiger, Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann, Professor Jürgen Klankermayer (left to right)
18.09.2024
12 Million Euros for Cutting-Edge Research
RWTH Aachen University and Covestro Continue Their Collaboration at the CAT Catalytic Center Aachen.
The CAT Catalytic Center Aachen, a collaboration between RWTH and Covestro, is continuing its pioneering research into sustainable and recyclable materials. Publicly funded research projects will continue and be initiated until 2031 to bolster Europe’s competitive edge in the global chemical innovation landscape. Covestro is contributing over 12 million euros to the research center.
Founded in Aachen in 2007, the CAT Catalytic Center has extensive expertise in catalysis, reaction engineering, polymer chemistry, and chemical recycling. All research projects are designed to contribute to climate protection goals by reducing Scope 3 emissions along the value chain. This will be achieved by developing novel polymers with a lower carbon footprint, creating recycling solutions for Covestro materials, and utilizing alternative raw materials such as biomass. For example, the CAT Catalytic Center is collaborating with 22 other partners on “Circular Foam,” an EU-funded research project aimed at closing the material cycle for rigid polyurethane (PU) foams.
Thriving industry-academia collaboration
The Center exemplifies a thriving industry-academia collaboration, aligning with the EU’s overarching strategy to foster a circular economy and drive the development of sustainable materials, including bio-based plastics, recyclable composites, and greener chemicals.
According to RWTH Rector Professor Ulrich Rüdiger, “The transfer of technology between research and industry is instrumental in driving progress in catalysis, a vital component of sustainable chemical process development. Our collaboration with Covestro allows us to significantly enhance our capabilities in this fundamental area.”
As Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro, observed, “Industry, particularly the chemical sector, is under growing pressure to explore alternative raw material sources and conserve fossil resources. Our partnership with RWTH allows us to remain at the forefront of developing new approaches in this field, despite the challenging economic landscape. Long-term collaborations like this are essential for preserving resources and transitioning to a circular economy. However, creating the right conditions for innovation within Germany and Europe is equally crucial. A supportive environment for innovation will facilitate even closer cooperation between science and industry.”
Several projects involving the CAT Catalytic Center have made substantial strides toward market readiness. A prime example is bio-based aniline, a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based aniline produced using a novel process. The world’s first pilot plant for this innovative technology was launched in Leverkusen at the beginning of the year. Bio-based aniline is used in the plastics industry, particularly for producing MDI for polyurethane rigid foam. It offers a pathway to promote the circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings through energy-efficient insulation foam.
The joint research center, led by Professor Jürgen Klankermayer from the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, is staffed by a team of recent doctoral graduates. These researchers contribute a distinctive combination of academic expertise and industry insights to their work in modern laboratories and have access to an adjacent technical center with pilot-scale plants on the university campus.
Further links
Pilot plant for bio-based aniline Leverkusen
14.02.2024
Inauguration of first pilot plant for bio-based aniline
The world’s first pilot plant for bio-based aniline has been inaugurated at Covestro’s Leverkusen site. This allows for the first time the production of the basic chemical aniline, essential as a raw material for plastics, paints and medicines, entirely from plant biomass instead of crude oil or other fossil raw materials. In this two-step process an industrial sugar obtained from plants is converted through fermentation in an intermediate, which is used to produce aniline by means of chemical catalysis. CAT Catalytic Center has played an essential role in developing this second conversion step, which has now been transferred into the next technological level towards an industrial scale in the new pilot plant.
This groundbreaking event has been celebrated on February 13, 2024 at Covestro’s headquarters with a live panel discussion with the participation of the co-initiator of the CAT Catalytic Center, Prof. Walter Leitner (MPI for Chemical Energy Conversion and RWTH Aachen University), Mona Neubaur (NRW Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy) and Dr. Thorsten Dreier (CTO Covestro AG).
Further links
Bildquelle: https://www.covestro.com/press/worlds-first-pilot-plant-for-bio-based-aniline/