Covestro, a German company, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to produce aniline, a crucial chemical used in the plastics industry, entirely from plant biomass instead of petroleum.
At its Leverkusen site, Covestro has inaugurated a special pilot plant dedicated to producing bio-based aniline, marking the first step towards large-scale implementation of this pioneering technology. The production of bio-based aniline holds immense promise for reducing the carbon footprint associated with conventional aniline production, which relies on fossil fuels.
Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro, emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, “With our new process, we are contributing to building up a circular, bio-based economy.” The transition to bio-based aniline production represents a crucial step towards achieving sustainability goals and reducing reliance on finite fossil resources.
Covestro’s collaboration with partners in the scientific community has been instrumental in developing this innovative process, which has garnered recognition through several awards. The company’s investment in the pilot plant underscores its commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the chemicals industry.
Professor Walter Leitner of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaborative efforts and emphasized the need for more research-based industry partnerships to drive innovation and technological advancements.
The bio-based aniline production process leverages industrial biotechnology, wherein a customized microorganism facilitates the conversion of industrial sugars extracted from plants into an intermediate product through fermentation. This method offers environmental benefits by operating under milder conditions than conventional processes.
The research on bio-based aniline receives ongoing support from the German government, with funding for a follow-up project (Bio4PURDemo) led by Covestro and partners. This project, which commenced in March 2022 and extends until 2025, aims to advance bio-based aniline production further and promote sustainable practices in the chemicals industry.
Covestro’s pioneering efforts in bio-based aniline production demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. By leveraging industrial biotechnology and forging partnerships with the scientific community, Covestro drives the transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly chemicals industry.