BASF SE has launched the world’s first industrial-scale production plant for 3D-printed catalysts at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany, utilizing its innovative X3D technology. This facility is designed to produce catalysts with advanced geometries, enabling efficient mass transfer and reduced pressure drops within reactors, ultimately leading to higher yields and lower energy use.
The X3D technology allows for the creation of complex catalyst shapes that traditional manufacturing methods, such as extrusion or tableting, cannot achieve. This capability supports BASF’s goal of enhancing sustainability and efficiency in chemical production, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digitalization journey.
Despite this advancement, BASF’s shares (BASFY) have fallen 1.8% over the past year, in contrast to a 7.1% decline in the industry overall.
