Researchers in Germany plan to produce formaldehyde from carbon dioxide

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is sponsoring around Euro 1.5 million for a joint research project of BASF, Heidelberg University, LMU Munich and Hte GmbH. The aim of the project, in which the Catalysis Research Laboratory (CaRLa) jointly operated by Heidelberg University and BASF SE will be involved, is to develop catalyst systems allowing the selective hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is an important basic chemical used mainly for the manufacture of polymers but also as a synthesis component for the creation of more complex molecules. At present, the chemical industry produces more than 13 million metric tonnes of formaldehyde per year worldwide by oxidation of methanol. Direct access through hydrogenation of CO2 would have the advantage that in the synthesis - depending on the methanol production route - either a hydrogen or a carbon monoxide equivalent can be saved compared to the existing production process, as a contribution to saving resources.