Page 162 - CW E-Magazine (26-12-2023)

News from Abroad

ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
Heidelberg University and BASF extend collaboration

at catalysis lab

BASF and Heidelberg University will of products and production
continue to jointly operate the Catalysis processes, CaRLa has in recent
Research Laboratory (CaRLa) for a fur- years intensified its work on
ther five years. new processes for the chemical
recycling of plastic waste. One
The two partners signed an agreement example is selectively break-
to continue this successful research col- ing down polyurethanes into
laboration until 2028. Currently, 10 re- basic building blocks that can
searchers are employed at CaRLa. Since be recycled to form polymers
the founding of the laboratory in 2006, again. Besides the development
more than 100 employees from 34 coun- of new processes for chemi-
tries have been involved in the develop- cal recycling, the scientists are
ment of new processes for homogeneous BASF’s sustainability goals,” said also working on catalysis systems for the
catalysis and organic synthesis. Dr. Helmut Winterling, President BASF efficient production of bio-based and
Group Research. biodegradable polymers.
“Basic research in the field of
homogeneous catalysis is important for Since 2015, 18 projects have been CaRLa’s work has so far resulted
BASF, as it helps us develop chemical transferred to BASF research, where in 104 academic papers published in
processes that require less energy and they are further developed for industrial renowned journals. Moreover, the lab
generate less waste. CaRLa is thus an applications. To use raw materials more has filed 41 patent applications since its
important cornerstone for us to achieve efficiently and reduce the CO footprint founding.
2
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Asahi Kasei develops membrane to dehydrate organic

solvents

Asahi Kasei has developed a novel organic solution, especially those which
membrane system for dehydrating are sensitive to heat. The system utilises
organic solvents for pharmaceutical the phenomenon of osmosis, in which a
applications without the application of liquid moves through a semi-permeable
heat or pressure. membrane due to concentration diffe-
rences. The development of the forward
The company has now begun colla- osmosis membrane and the draw solution
borating with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., enables the removal of water without the
Ltd. (Osaka, Japan), one of the largest loss of pharmaceutical intermediates.
pharmaceutical companies in Japan, for
the practical verification of the system. Being able to handle highly soluble
Commercialisation is targeted for 2027. liquids such as tetrahydrofuran, toluene,
dehydrated. Standard dehydration meth- or methanol, this membrane system can
Organic solvents play an essential ods such as vacuum distillation require dehydrate organic solvents below 1,000-
role in the manufacturing of pharmaceu- the application of heat, and are not only ppm. In addition, compared to vacuum
ticals. To achieve the desired results in time- and energy-intensive, but may also distillation, the process time required can
various processes such as reactions and have undesired effects on the pharma- be shortened and energy consumption
crystallisation, such solvents need to be ceutical intermediates contained in the can be significantly reduced.

162 Chemical Weekly December 26, 2023

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