BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. A leading supplier of high performance cathode active materials (CAM) for electrified vehicles to battery producers and automotive OEMs around the world. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. As the global leader in chemical catalysts, BASF develops cutting-edge catalyst chemistry with our customers’ needs in mind. We want to contribute to a world that provides a viable future with enhanced quality of life for everyone. We do so by creating chemistry for our customers and society and by making the best use of available resources. BASF offers the widest portfolio of adsorbent technologies for a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, and gas processing. Syngas, produced from natural gas or coal, is a key intermediate in the emerging technologies for gas-to-liquids (GTL), methanol-to-olefins, coal-to-liquids and fuel cells. At BASF, our Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive offerings together with our expert technical services build the right solution to create value within any unit’s constraints. Paving the way toward a brighter, more secure future. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes, and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead BASF on a continuing journey of sustainability. BASF Natural Gas experts have a diverse portfolio of products to custom design a solution and help you meet your Natural Gas treatment needs. BASF has been serving the natural gas treatment market for over 60 years. Innovative, step-change technology with dual-purpose performance: removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water to cryogenic specifications in a single unit. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.
BASF Catalysts | Facility Syngas

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Combating Pollution: 3 Trends That Can Transform The Market By Zeroing Carbon Emissions

BASF Catalysts | Car Emissions Sustainability

Governments around the world regularly introduce new regulations establishing increasingly strict limits for emissions of pollutants by light- and heavy-duty vehicles. In Brazil, where I live and work, a new stage of PROCONVE, the New Emission Limits Control Program, is expected to take effect in 2022. The regulation establishes emissions limits by light motor vehicles, which in some cases require a 40% reduction. The Brazilian automotive industry is now preparing to adapt to the new limit.

Now is a good time, given the global market dynamics, to highlight some technologies in the automotive market that can reduce emissions’ impact on air quality, not just in Brazil but around the world. They are green hydrogen, electric and hybrid cars, and flex and ethanol engines. Let’s dive in.

BASF Catalysts | Green Hydrogen

To make the future of the global carbon-neutral economy possible in the shortest time, green hydrogen must gain strength within the market and will be increasingly present in all discussions for use as an energy source in the various segments – and especially for mobility. Green hydrogen is a promising source of clean and renewable energy. It carries a large amount of energy and can be obtained from renewable sources, which are very abundant in my home country of Brazil. When a vehicle is fueled with hydrogen, the result of its combustion is a water vapor. This factor makes it one of the cleanest sources available on the market. We are always attentive to market trends and, although not yet commercialized in Brazil, this fuel type has been placed on many agendas within our workshops, forums, and trainings at BASF.

It is not new that electric and hybrid cars bring several benefits. But what is little discussed is that, in Brazil, hybrid vehicles, with flex combustion engines, which circulate ethanol, already have a better CO2 emission level than the target set for Europe in 2033.

Letícia Mendonça

Letícia Mendonça

BASF, Mobile Emissions Catalysts Director, South America

Second technology trend is the electrification of mobility and the pending bans of fossil fuel cars that are under discussion in Europe, which is expected to take place by 2035. This trend has also been gaining strength in Brazil. It is not new that electric and hybrid cars bring several benefits, but what is little discussed is that, in Brazil, hybrid vehicles with flex combustion engines that circulate ethanol have a better CO2 emission level than the target set for Europe in 2033. This is because biofuels combined with our energy matrix gives us the conditions to reach the established goal. Around here, battery electric or hybrid vehicles are beginning to become a reality. This year, 7,290 EV/hybrid vehicles were sold in Brazil – an increase of 29.4% compared to 2020.

BASF Catalysts | TWC

The third technology, already well established in Brazil, are flex and ethanol engines. The production of biofuels from renewable sources, such as ethanol, is the closest to carbon neutrality and is produced in abundance in the country. At BASF, we have innovative catalyst technologies already employed in our customers for flex and ethanol cars. The catalyst is a ceramic honeycomb substrate coated with precious metals capable of neutralizing the hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxides (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) gases produced by combustion engines powered by gasoline and/or ethanol. More than 99% of these pollutants are converted into non-harmful gases. This is the "three-way" catalyst (TWC), which is considered one of the most important solution ever created to combat pollution. BASF has already reduced more than 40 million tons of pollutants from emissions of cars, trucks and motorcycles from Brazil and neighboring countries in South America with its catalysts. Without them, these pollutants would be released by vehicles directly into the air.

Being connected to the possibilities of innovation and the future demands of the market, especially in the automotive sector, are some of the priorities that we need to keep active in our daily lives. Here at BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We are aware of the numerous possibilities and new technological developments that will ensure a smarter, more efficient mobility future that does not negatively impact the environment. Will you help us build that future?

About the Author

BASF Catalysts | Letícia Mendonça

Letícia Mendonça is a Chemical Engineer with more than 20 years of experience within the chemical segment, with 14 of those years at BASF. Letícia started her career in 1993 as a chemical engineer graduation at Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial (FEI) and has taken on numerous roles with increasing responsibility before joining BASF in 2005 as a Business Manager, Specialty Plastics. Since 2005, Letícia has worked different businesses within the BASF automotive segments, including her current role as Director for Mobile Emissions Catalysts, South America, within the Catalysts Division at BASF.

When she isn't working, Letícia spends her free time exploring and traveling, participating in yoga and other fitness exercises, as well as perfecting her gardening skills. For Letícia, she continues to experience new challenges to support her personal development as well as build relationships that are based on trust and foster a good working environment. Like most leaders, she is motivated by results and recognition, traits she shares with her team and colleagues. You can connect with Letícia on her personal LinkedIn by clicking here.

This article was adapted from an article previously published in Portuguese on September 2, 2021.

Categories

Battery Materials, Mobile Emissions Control Catalysts

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