Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

News from Abroad

UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP

Clariant and TUM renew sustainability and catalysis

alliance

Clariant, a sustainability-focused Most of the MuniCat projects
specialty chemical company, and Tech- addressed sustainability aspects, such
nical University of Munich (TUM) as the reduction of greenhouse gas
have renewed their long-term strategic emissions; the conversion and utilisation
alliance in the field of research and of CO ; the innovative usage and storage
2
application of new catalyst systems. of hydrogen; and the identification of
The cooperation, named MuniCat new feedstock for base chemicals. New
(Munich Catalysis), has generated projects that target these issues are
improved catalyst formulations and already underway including those that
designs as well as innovative process use artificial intelligence (AI), machine
technologies since 2010 and will con- expertise. We are therefore delighted learning (ML) and digitalization tools.
tinue to focus on upcoming challenges to extend this fruitful partnership for
in the area of sustainable chemistry another 10 years.” A collaboration between Clariant,
applying catalysis. TUM and Linde also produced new
30 projects completed catalysts for the oxidative dehydro-
The MuniCat alliance combines the As part of the cooperation, more genation of ethane (ODH-E), an inno-
capabilities of both partners in terms of than 30 projects focusing on the chal- vative, low emissions catalytic tech-
research, improvement, and application lenges of the industry to become more nology to produce ethylene. The novel
of existing, but also innovative, novel sustainable and efficient were comple- catalyst is a step change in selectivity
catalysts and processes. Joint research ted so far. These projects resulted in and productivity enabling reduction in
has already produced a number of solu- strong intellectual properties for inno- CO emissions by up to 100% versus
2
tions to manufacture chemical products vative catalyst formulations as well as the conventional steam cracking.
in a more energy-efficient and environ- their production and commercial appli-
mentally friendly way. cation. More than 250 scientific articles The continuing partnership will
on the technical progress have been address current and future sustaina-
“Over the years, the collaboration published in papers with global reach. bility challenges. Focus areas include
between Clariant and TUM has paved new technologies contributing to
the way for many milestones not only “Any meaningful transition towards the hydrogen economy and sustain-
in the field of R&D in catalysis but also sustainability in the chemical industry able aviation fuels (SAF’s), as well
in creating a more sustainable future for can only succeed with collaboration and as high-performance catalysts for the
the chemical industry,” said Dr. Marvin innovation. That’s why we are delighted conversion of CO into short chain
2
Estenfelder, Head of R&D at Clariant. to join forces with a renowned academic alcohols. Aspects of catalyst and
“The partnership has been very sym- institution like TUM and leverage our value product recycling will play a
biotic, in that we have access to cutting sustainability-driven innovations with crucial role for the prospective pro-
edge research methods and technolo- new methods in academia to accelerate ject agenda. Standard modelling and
gies developed at the university while the energy transition”, added Dr. Richard simulation tools using AI and ML
the young TUM researchers benefit Haldimann, Chief Technology and Sus- methods will also be used and further
from our long industry and applications tainability Officer at Clariant. developed to ensure high quality.
LITHIUM RESOURCES
Australia’s Azure Minerals agrees to takeover by SQM

Australian lithium miner, Azure Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Azure entered into the agreement
Minerals Ltd., has entered into a bind- (SQM), the world’s largest lithium pro- with an Australian unit of SQM for
ing agreement to be bought out by ducer. a cash amount of A$3.52 per Azure

172 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised