Catalysis Laboratory CaRLa: Successful Cooperation Extended
Heidelberg University and BASF continue research cooperation - One main area of research is the chemical recycling plastic waste. BASF and Heidelberg University will do research together for another five years in the Catalysis Research Laboratory (CaRLa) founded in 2006. The two partners have signed an agreement to this effect, extending their successful research cooperation until 2028. Ten scientists are currently working in the catalysis laboratory to develop new processes for homogeneous catalysis and organic synthesis. One of their main areas of research is the chemical recycling of plastic waste. In order to use raw materials more efficiently and to reduce the CO2 footprint of products and production processes, research at CaRLa has for several years concentrated on new processes for chemically recycling plastic waste. One example is selectively breaking down polyurethane plastics into re-usable building blocks which can be rebuilt into polymers, i.e. complete plastics.
