thyssenkrupp and BASF sign joint development agreement on STAR process^® dehydrogenation technology

“We are very pleased about this cooperation which combines BASF’s expertise as a world-leading catalyst manufacturer with our plant engineering competence,” says Uwe Boltersdorf, Chief Sales Officer of the business unit Chemical & Process Technologies at thyssenkrupp. “With our combined know-how we can further reduce consumption of energy and resources. New catalyst shapes will enable a smaller reformer design, which also lowers the investment costs of dehydrogenation plants.”

Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice President Process Catalysts at BASF, says: “The cooperation between BASF and thyssenkrupp is another example of our successful approach to collaboration with engineering companies and technology providers. We contribute our unique know-how as a world-leading catalyst manufacturer, and together with our partners, drive the implementation of new processes and innovative future technologies.”

“This project is a good example of how technology development can be accelerated through cross-sector collaboration,” says Adrian Steinmetz, Vice President Global Chemical Catalysts & Adsorbents at BASF. “We will specifically address topics like reducing precious metal content. This lowers catalyst costs and additionally reduces feedstock and energy consumption through increased selectivity. This will contribute significantly to a reduction of the CO₂ footprint.” 

Propylene is one of the largest volume chemicals produced globally with projected further growth. A common use is as raw material for polypropylene, a component that is mainly used in the automotive, textile and packaging industries. Thyssenkrupp’s Steam Active Reforming STAR process^® offers an extremely reliable process with a proven plant availability of 98%, which means more than 8,500 hours per year.