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

Choose your language

This section is available in the following languages: English

Follow us on Linkedin

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

Why BASF?

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

The dehydration of alcohols to produce olefins is a well-established and important reaction to a range of industries.

Potential reaction applications include:

  • Ethanol to ethylene
  • Propanol to propylene
  • Butanol to butenes

Product Portfolio

Al 3992 E

Ultracidic, 1/8’’ cylindrical alumina catalyst suitable for numerous dehydration reactions and isomerization reactions.

Al 3992 E 3F

Ultracidic, 1/8’’ trilobal alumina catalyst with an improved geometric surface area.

Alumina Catalysts

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…

Become a Partner

Partner with BASF to make the most of our extensive resources, world-class technologies and decades’ worth of experience in biorenewable feedstock conversion.

Where We Operate

Click on the map to see the locations of all BASF sites relevant to our biorenewable feedstock catalyst operations.

News & Media

Datasheets & Brochures

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

Request Download

BASF employees will automatically receive this document when requested

View more in the Literature Library

Get in Touch

Complete the form to get in touch with a BASF representative who can help you capitalize on new opportunities in the biorenewables space.