'World first' electric cracking plant starts in Germany

Chemical companies BASF, Sabic and Linde have started two electrically-heated steam cracking furnaces at BASF's Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, the world's first demonstration of the technology beyond pilot scale.

The demonstration plant is fully integrated into the existing crackers at Ludwigshafen and will produce propylene, ethylene and potentially heavier olefins, according to a statement from the companies.

It is designed to test the continuous operation of electric furnaces and collect data to support further development. The furnaces each employ a different electrical heating technology. By using renewable electricity instead of conventional fuels, the companies estimate it can reduce CO2 emissions by 90pc. The two furnaces will process roughly 4 t/hour of hydrocarbon feedstock and consume 6MWh of energy.

The companies first announced their collaboration in 2021, with BASF and Sabic contributing their expertise in operating steam crackers and Linde providing its intellectual property and expertise in steam cracking furnace technologies.

By George Barsted