Dow Chemical, America's diversified chemical company and Süd-Chemie, Munich-headquartered specialty chemical company have announced an agreement to research alternative routes to produce chemicals to help reduce dependence on traditional sources of oil and gas by April 2009. The collaborative research aims to convert synthesis gas (syngas), that can be derived from abundant resources such as coal or biomass, to "building block" chemicals in a more efficient and economical process. This joint research program will be conducted in The Netherlands at Dow's Terneuzen site and at Sud-Chemie's catalyst research and development centers located in Germany and the U.S.
Syngas - a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide - can be produced through gasification and reforming processes from a wide variety of abundant raw materials including coal, petroleum coke, biomass, natural gas and waste products. This highly versatile intermediate can be converted then to "building block" chemicals, plastics, electricity, and transportation fuels with existing technology, but current capital and conversion costs are steep. Dow and Süd-Chemie's research will focus on making the conversion process more efficient and economically viable.
23-Jan-09 
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