Chemical Engineering October 2014 - 18

ChementatoR
A step closer to bio-based acrylic acid
L
ast month, BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.
com), Cargill (Minneapolis, Minn.; www.cargill.com) and
Novozymes (Copenhagen, Denmark; www.novozymes.com)
achieved another milestone in the joint development of technologies
to produce acrylic acid from renewable resources. The
research team demonstrated the conversion of 3-hydroxypropionic
acid (3-HP) to glacial (water-free) acrylic acid and superabsorbent
polymers.
The three companies began the quest for a process to convert
renewable raw materials into acrylic acid in August 2012. The
first milestone was reached in July 2013 with the demonstration
of the production of 3-HP - one potential precursor for
acrylic acid - at pilot scale.
BASF initially plans to use bio-based acrylic acid to make
superabsorbent polymers, which are used in diapers and other
hygiene products. Currently, acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation
of propylene, which is derived mainly from petroleum.
Now, just 18 months after the collaboration began, BASF has
selected the preferred process to convert 3-HP into glacial
acrylic acid. A small integrated pilot plant is being set up, and
could be operating by the end of this year. Together with the
pilot plant for 3-HP, operated by Cargill with support from Novozymes,
BASF plans for a fast market entry of superabsorbent
polymers derived from bio-based acrylic acid.
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RG LF+SS Ad_7x4.88.pdf 1 8/7/14 10:28 AM
A 'greener' cement
researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de
lausanne (ePFl; Switzerland; www.epfl.ch), together
with partners from three indian institutes of Technology,
and universities in Cuba and Brazil, have managed to
double the quantity of cement produced from the same
quantity of limestone by substituting a large portion
of clinker (an intermediary material made by heating
limestone at very high temperatures) with calcined
clay. limestone Calcined Clay Cement (lC3) has the
potential to generate 20-30% less Co2 emissions compared
to traditional Portland cement; a major reduction
considering that cement accounts for 5-8% of today's
manmade emissions.
although slag and flyash are already used worldwide
to decrease the ratio of clinker needed to manufacture
cement, these materials are not always available locally
and their limited supply will not be able to meet
the rapidly increasing demand for cement. lC3 can use
low-grade kaolin clays, which are unsuitable for most industries
and largely available in many parts of the world,
including india. lC3 is a low-carbon and low-cost cement
that delivers similar or even superior performance
properties compared to Portland cement. The blend can
be easily manufactured in existing production lines, requiring
only minor capital investments.
india is the first country where lC3 is being tested,
both in the laboratory and in the field (on a large scale). ❏
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18 ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com oCToBer 2014

http://www.basf http://www.epfl.ch http://www.cargill.com http://www.novozymes.com http://adlinks.che.com/50981-03 http://www.Chemengonline.Com

Chemical Engineering October 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering October 2014