How can gas mixtures from industrial production be put to good use to produce valuable materials and save crude oil at the same time? The research consortium of the project Carbon4PUR has found answers to this question and has presented the final results after three and a half years of research work.
In the cross-sectoral project funded by the European Union (grant agreement no. 768919 ), 14 industrial and academic partners from seven countries investigated new technologies that allow converting gas streams from steel mills into polyurethane products. The consortium led by materials manufacturer Covestro investigated how carbon monoxide (CO) and -dioxide (CO₂) containing blast furnace gas from steel production can be used as a carbon source for polyols. Polyols are intermediates and key components of polyurethane-based insulation materials and coatings, and are typically derived from crude oil.
The conclusion: Ecologically as well as economically, the new technology was evaluated as beneficial. "Supposed waste gas can be efficiently used once again as a valuable material and fed back into the cycle: The results of the research project have the potential to revolutionize production processes. This is a great discovery and a significant milestone on the road to a circular economy. Alternative raw materials become a reality," says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro.
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