With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe.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.
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The development of chemicals based on biological feedstocks is critical to a sustainable future, and BASF is proud to support this industry with world-class catalysts. We offer a suite of heterogeneous catalysts and adsorbents that can be used to convert a variety of biorenewable feedstocks into valuable chemicals, oils, lubes and fuels.
Specific catalyst families for biorenewable applications include:
Copper catalysts for biorenewable feedstock conversion: Glycerin to 1,2-propanediol (MPG), fatty alcohol production and furfural hydrogenation
Nickel catalysts for biorenewable feedstock conversion: Carbonyl reductions, various hydrogenation reactions and triglyceride deoxygenation
Alumina catalysts for biorenewable feedstock conversion: Dehydration of alcohols to olefins including ethanol to ethylene (E2E) and butanol to butylene
Precious metal catalysts for biorenewable feedstock conversion: Glucose to sorbitol and selective olefin hydrogenation
BASF has been driving innovation in catalyst research for more than 100 years. Our catalysts provide solutions for multiple applications and renewable feedstocks such as: Oils & Fats Hydrogenation, Fatty Alcohol & Furfuryl Alcohol Production, Fatty Amine & Fatty Nitrile Synthesis, Sugar Hydrogenation and Alcohol Dehydration. In addition to our well-established catalyst portfolio, BASF offers both a process and catalysts for the conversion of glycerin to 1,2-propanediol (MPG). Glycerin is a byproduct of the biodiesel industry, and BASF’s innovative technology now allows for the efficient conversion of glycerin into higher-value chemicals that are useful across a range of industries.
To learn more about our efforts to reduce emissions and save fossil resources, see BASF’s biomass balance page.
Products
BASF’s comprehensive portfolio of catalysts for biorenewable applications is rooted in profound material science expertise and produced in close cooperation with our customers.
Copper Catalysts for Biorenewable Feedstocks
Learn more about our process and catalysts for the conversion of glycerin to 1,2-propanediol (MPG), as well as fatty alcohol production and furfural hydrogenation.
In addition to well-established hydrogenation catalysts, BASF offers both a process and catalysts for the conversion of glycerin to 1,2-propanediol (MPG). Glycerin is a by-product of the biodiesel industry and BASF’s innovative technology now allows for the conversion of glycerin into a high-value product that is useful across a range of industries.
Features of BASF’s process include:
MPG product is colorless, odorless and is highly pure
MPG product is able to meet USP/Pharma grade requirements
Features of BASF’s catalyst include:
Excellent conversion and selectivity for the production of MPG
Performance has been proven with an extended lifetime test and reference customers
Nickel Catalysts for Biorenewable Feedstocks
Browse an established portfolio of nickel catalysts available in tablets, spheres, extrudates and droplets for use in various hydrogenation applications.
BASF's long-time established nickel catalysts are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including tablets, spheres, extrudates and droplets and may be used for a variety of hydrogenation applications, including:
Triglyceride and fatty acid olefin saturation
Carbonyl reduction for the purification/clean-up of alcohol streams
Deoxygenation reactions
Saturation of aromatics (e.g. benzene to cyclohexane)
Precious Metal Catalysts for Biorenewable Feedstocks
Precious metal catalysts for biorenewable applications include Pd, Pt, Rh and Ru-based catalysts for hydrogenation reactions and other applications.
BASF offers a broad portfolio of Precious Metal catalysts. Of particular importance is BASF’s heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of glucose to sorbitol.
Features of BASF‘s precious metal catalysts include:
Excellent conversion and selectivity for the production of sorbitol
Continuous hydrogenation with no metal leaching
Less by-product formation for easier work-up
Alumina Catalysts for Biorenewable Feedstocks
Find alumina-based catalysts with excellent activity and selectivity for the conversion of a range of simple alcohols to olefins.
Aluminum oxide is present in large quantities in the earth’s crust and is derived from bauxite ore. Commonly called “alumina”, this oxide is a fascinating material, which has found extensive use as a catalyst and catalyst support in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
Partner with BASF to make the most of our extensive resources, world-class technologies and decades’ worth of experience in biorenewable feedstock conversion.
Aluminum oxide is present in large quantities in the earth’s crust and is derived from bauxite ore. Commonly called “alumina”, this oxide is a fascinating material, which has
found extensive use as a catalyst and catalyst support in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
BASF’s Cu 0203 T 1/8" is a copper chromite catalyst in tablet form. It is supplied in an oxidic or reduced & stabilized state.
Cu 0203 T 1/8” is a very active catalyst, particularly suited for the amination of alcohols.
BASF’s Cu 0360 T 1/8” is a chrome free copper catalyst supplied as unreduced tablet. It contains a proprietary silica support to enhance performance. Cu 0360 T 1/8” is useful for a variety of petro- and oleochemical fixed bed applications.
BASF’s H9-66 T3x3 is a copper-based catalyst on a proprietary support. It is supplied as an unreduced tablet, particularly useful for the production of MPG (Mono propylene glycol). The corresponding MPG process is licensed by BASF
