International. Together with three partners, Evonik launches the PlasCO2 project. The goal is to use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a feedstock in the production of C4 chemicals.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with more than €1.8 million. PlasCO2 stands for 'Generation of plasma-induced carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide and its chemical utilization'.
Researchers are working on extracting syngas from carbon dioxide and hydrogen by means of a plasma reactor using a newly developed process. The syngas obtained in this way can be used for the production of chemicals.
"If we manage to generate carbon dioxide as a feedstock, we would not only make a significant contribution to reducing our carbon footprint, but also open up a whole new world of chemistry," said Professor Dr. Robert Franke, Head of Hydroformylation Research at Evonik Performance Intermediates and coordinator of the PlasCO2 project.
The project consortium, coordinated by Evonik, consists of four partners. It brings together all the competences: from catalysis and plasma research to plant engineering.
In addition to Evonik, the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research (INP) and Rafflenbeul Anlagen Bau GmbH also participate.
Sustainability is a key factor of the company. At the heart of the project is the conversion of carbon dioxide with hydrogen to carbon monoxide. Low-temperature plasmas will be used as a new energy source, requiring little energy and therefore activating inert coal particularly efficiently.
