If Evonik (Germany) intends to make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions globally, it makes sense not only to reduce CO2 emissions from its processes but to also use it as a feedstock anytime possible.
Creavis, the strategic innovation unit of Evonik, one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals, has been developing a solution for several years as part of a publicly-funded project called H2ECO2 which was supported by the German Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development .
“Our goal is to develop new products and/or processes that use CO2 as a feedstock, reduce emissions, and, are profitable. CO2 is used as a feedstock in the production of bio-carbonates. With these carbonates, less CO2 is emitted throughout the whole life cycle compared to established products.”
Dr. Daniela Kruse, Head of the Resource Efficient Chemistry Growth Line
The production process is based on soybean oil, which is esterified in the presence of a biodiesel catalyst from Evonik.
In the next production step, epoxides are formed using hydrogen peroxide from Evonik.
The final step is a carbonation reaction with CO2.
Bio-carbonates can be used in many applications such as plasticizers for PVC and also as oil additives and these are being explored by Creavis in close cooperation with the Coatings & Additives and Advanced Intermediates Business Units of Evonik.