Developed by Universiteit Utrecht and assisted by Dow and Delft University, new type of catalyst enables efficient conversion to key components of various products including plastics, medicines and paint
Story content courtesy of Universiteit Utrecht, NL
It is now possible to produce components that can be used to make plastics and other substances by means of a one-step process, once the biomass has been converted at a high temperature into gas. The new catalyst was developed by Utrecht chemists in cooperation with Dow Benelux and Delft University of Technology. The novel catalyst, which consists of tiny iron spheres, was developed by chemists at University Utrecht. The research will be published this month. According to Professor Krijn de Jong, “The products are exactly the same, only they are made of pruning waste instead of petroleum.”
The Utrecht researchers will continue to develop the catalyst with the help of Dow Benelux. Hopefully, the first products made with this technology will be launched within the next few years.
