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BOOK REVIEW CHANGEMAKERS

Versatility and vitality of sulphur, sulphuric acid and Schutzen Care amongst fi nalists for Innovation

related chemicals Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Textiles

Sulphuric acid (H SO ) is a very cers include the USA, Canada, Russia, The fi nalists of the €25,000 fi fth
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important commodity chemical, and a Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Germany, ‘ISC3 Innovation Challenge’, looking
nation’s sulphuric acid production has Saudi Arabia, which account for 65% for innovations in the fi elds of Sustain-
been a reasonably good indicator of its of global volume. able Chemistry and Textiles, have been
industrial strength for the last century announced! A jury of 23 international
or so. The chemistry, manufacture and experts have selected the fi ve fi nalists
applications of sulphur, SO , sulphur from a large number of applications
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Sulphuric acid production is now trioxide (SO ), sulphuric acid and ole- from all over the world. This year, the
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dominated by the ‘Contact Process’, um are the subjects of a recent publica- International Sustainable Chemistry
which permits the direct production tion (Sulphur’s Versatility – A journey Collaborative Centre (ISC3) called
of pure acid ranging from dilute solu- through SO , SO , H SO and oleum, on start-ups to apply with innovative
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tions to super-concentrated solutions Mahendra Sheth and Aditya Sheth, solutions from all fi elds related to sus-
containing over 100% sulphuric acid Qurate Books Pvt. Ltd., 369 pages). tainable chemistry, that can contribute
(oleum, fuming acid). The name contact The comprehensive book, written by a to a more sustainable textile industry.
process comes from sulphur dioxide father-son duo of chemical engineers, Examples include environmentally
(SO ) being oxidised to the trioxide clearly elucidates the wide-ranging benign production, alternative materials
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(SO ) by oxygen (in air) while passing diammonium phosphate (DAP). This impacts sulphur chemistry has. and feedstock, waste minimisation
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over a catalyst bed (contact mass). end-use segment consumes around and recycling, and alternative business The four other companies that made  Renasens AB (Sweden), which

65% of the total sulphuric acid used In addition to the basic chemicals models. it to the fi nal round of the ISC3 Innova- has developed a waterless & clean
Sulphuric acid has many applica- in the country. However, around 80% mentioned in the title, the book in- tion Challenge 2024 are: technology to recycle agricultural
tions, but principal uses include ore of this requirement is being captively cludes detailed coverage of several An international jury consisting of  Dimpora AG (Switzerland), which and blended textile wastes to new

processing, fertiliser manufacturing, met as most of the fertiliser producers of the inorganic sulphates produced; independent reviewers, including rep- makes a PFAS-free textile mem- resources without fi bre depolymeri-
oil refi ning, wastewater processing and have their own production of sulphuric the role of insoluble sulphur, which is resentatives of the ISC3 partner organi- brane that makes fabrics completely sation or degradation.
chemical synthesis. Despite the diverse acid. Manufacture of the detergent raw widely used in rubber processing for sations and external experts, especially waterproof and breathable without
and seemingly endless uses, its use in material, linear alkylbenzene sulphonic making items as diverse as tyres and from the textile sector, ensured a pro- harming the environment, thanks to All fi nalists will get access to the
phosphate fertilisers represents ap- acid represents another signifi cant and footwear; as well as chloro-sulphonic fessional evaluation of all submissions. a scientifi cally based and patented customised support of the ISC3 Global
proximately half or slightly more of growing outlet for the acid. acid, which is derived from oleum (but After a two-round selection process that CoreLayer technology. Startup Service in the form of an online
the total sulphuric acid used world- is pricier) and serves as an important started in March 2024 and evaluated a  DNACotton (Turkey), which has pitch training. They will be featured via

wide. In recent years, with increased The main feedstock for sulphuric sulphonating agent. The use of sulphur total of around 50 start-up innovations, developed a block-chain based the ISC3 communication channels as
demand for phosphatic fertilisers, this acid production is SO , which can compounds in sectors as diverse as fi ve start-ups, including Mumbai-based traceability system in the textile “best practice examples for Sustainable
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has grown to about 60%. come from one of several different leather, food, pharmaceuticals, rubber, Schutzen Care Pvt. Ltd., have been sector by engaging DNABarkod Chemistry innovations” in the ISC3
sources: mining, paper, and water treatment, is chosen. technology. This technology in- series Start-up of the Month. Furthermore,
The oil-refi ning industry uses sul-  Sulphur mining (now the least comprehensively covered. volves the genetic tagging of pro- based on their presentation at the end of
phuric acid as a catalyst in the alkylation signifi cant source); Schutzen develops bio-based and ducts at various stages of the pro- the pitch training, the fi nalists will get
process, which is one of the alternative  Recovery of sulphur from oil and The management of spent sulphuric biodegradable textile and leather chemi- duction cycle, providing each pro- the chance to pitch on 30/31 October

technologies that enhances octane and gas; acid – from a variety of industries – cals that support biodiversity. These duct with a unique genetic identifi er. 2024 during the ISC3 Investor Forum
oxygenates gasoline (as a replacement  Recovery of SO from metal smelt- poses environmental challenges. chemicals are based on the valorisa-  Polybion (Mexico), which uses 2024 and win €15,000. This year’s ISC3

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for groundwater-polluting methyl tert- ing and ore roasting, or fl ue gas tion of bio-waste from the seeds of locally produced agro-industrial fruit Investor Forum will take place live in
butyl ether). emissions in power stations; and What is missing from the book are the tamarind tree fruit and use their waste as raw material to craft bio- Frankfurt, Germany, as part of Impact
 Recycling spent (used) sulphuric techno-economic aspects of the busi- patented reaction technology. Schutzen’s materials such as Celium – a premium Festival. At the end of the Investor
In India, the majority of the sul- acid. ness of sulphur, and market analy- innovation reduces carbon emissions, cultivated cellulose. Celium can be Forum, the Innovation Challenge award
phuric acid goes into manufacture of sis, but these should not detract from provides an alternative to hazardous dyed, embossed and tanned using ceremony will take place, where, in
fertilisers like ammonium sulphate, single Sulphur recovered from oil and natu- the value of this invaluable compila- substances, thereby reducing risks to existing infrastructure, resulting addition to the main winner, two other
super phosphate (SSP) and phosphoric ral gas now accounts for about 70% of tion that addresses an old, but vital human health, reducing water pollution in a lower negative environmental solutions will be awarded €5,000 each
acid, which in turn is used in making all sulphur used. Major sulphur produ- chemistry. and promoting biodiversity. impact than traditional fabrics. for a special impact.

148 Chemical Weekly July 16, 2024 Chemical Weekly July 16, 2024 149

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