Bayer advanced commercial use of CO2 as new raw material

After a successful testing phase, Bayer aims towards the commercialization of CO₂ as a new feedstock in the plastics industry. The company has begun the process of planning for the construction of a factory at its headquarters in Dormagen, Germany, where the carbon dioxide will be used to produce a precursor for high quality foams. It is an objective initial is to produce higher quantities of this material to processors selected from the year 2015.

The use of carbon dioxide is important benefits for the environment. CO₂ replaces much of the raw materials fossils, such as oil, which otherwise would have to be employed exclusively. At the same time, Bayer expects that the new process will provide economic advantages over conventional production methods.

"The CO₂ sees a new light: this gas goes to become a raw material useful and helpful." This makes us one of the first companies from around the world in a completely different approach in the production of high quality foams", said Patrick Thomas, President of Bayer MaterialScienc.

This materials manufacturer collaborated with industry partners and academics to the development of this process, which has been tested intensively during the past two years. As part of the 'Dream Production' research project, a pilot plant of Bayer in Leverkusen facilities produced smaller amounts of this precursor in which the CO₂ is chemically bonded.