BASF, Siemens mull Ludwigshafen joint projects to lower emissions

LONDON (ICIS)–BASF and electronics major Siemens are mulling joint projects at the German chemicals major’s Ludwigshafen flagship site to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

BASF said on Tuesday the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Siemens will aim to develop projects on hydrogen production, heat pumps, and power grid upgrade.

“Possible pilot projects include the construction of a PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyser for hydrogen production with an output of 50 megawatts (MW) with the possibility of modular capacity expansions,” said BASF.

The two companies also aim to install in Ludwigshafen a high-temperature 50 MW thermal heat pump for generating process steam from waste heat in a production plant.

Another project would imply an overhaul of the power grid at the petrochemicals hub, located in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, on the River Rhine.

“A study is underway to assess the potential for common system and catalytic converter development in an effort to boost the efficiency of electrolysis plants (PEM electrolysis) and for collaboration in generating electricity from wind energy,” concluded BASF.