Catalysis research laboratory planned
BASF and the University of Heidelberg have signed a contract to set up a catalysis laboratory. Funded by the two partners and the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, the laboratory is dedicated to the development of new homogeneous catalysts. Starting in the Autumn of 2006, six postgraduate scientists from the university as well as six researchers and a head of laboratory from BASF will work together to investigate basic research issues and industrial applications in the field of homogeneous catalysis from their base in the Heidelberg Technology Park.
Catalysis is the single most important technology in the chemical industry. More than 80% of all chemical products come into contact with catalysts at least once during their synthesis process. Unlike heterogeneous catalysis, which uses catalysts in their solid form to mediate reactions, homogeneous catalysis makes use of catalysts that have been dissolved in the reaction mixture. High-performance catalysts have huge benefits, both ecological and economic. For instance, they help to cut down significantly on the resources used for substance reactions whilst producing fewer by-products; open up new, more cost-effective ways of manufacturing established products; and enable the efficient manufacture of new products.
"Setting up the new Catalysis Research Laboratory (CaRLa) in Heidelberg enables us to participate more intensively in the rapid developments in the field of homogeneous catalysis, while our alliance with the University of Heidelberg gives us access to a highly innovative scientific environment," said Prof. Rainer Diercks, head of BASF's division for Chemicals Research and Engineering, explaining the strategic objective of the new laboratory.
Proximity to BASF's research laboratories and co-operation with Heidelberg University's special research area – "Molecular Catalysts: Structure and Functional Design", whose spokesman Prof. Peter Hofmann is to assume scientific management of the facility – provides an ideal setting for efficient collaborative catalysis research.
"Our special research area's focus and infrastructure, the wide-ranging scientific expertise of the Heidelberg faculty, BASF's chemical technology know-how, and the exciting and novel concept behind CaRLa are bound to draw top scientific talent to this new laboratory," Hofmann said.
