has developed a program that will convert gas emissions to natural elements, and even reuse them as raw materials. Last year, total greenhouse gas emissions at the site were 12.2 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents. “Through this project, greenhouse gas emissions at BASF’s headquarters site will be reduced by around 2 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year from 2010,” says Stefano Pigozzi, head of BASF’s inorganics division.

Nitrous oxide emitted by the adipic acid plant will be more efficiently converted into nitrogen and oxygen, natural atmosphere elements, with the aid of catalysts. Since the impact of nitrous oxide on the climate is more than 300 times that of CO2, the catalysts that convert the nitrous oxide and remove it almost completely from the off-gas have high potential for reducing greenhouse gasses. In addition to the headquarters, BASF’s Antwerp plant is also equipped with these catalysts.

Other greenhouse gas reduction plans involve using them as raw materials. A new process for producing the intermediate cyclododecanone (CDon) has been developed, and what used to take five stages has become a three-stage process in which the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide is used as an oxidizing agent. The plant will start this production at the end of 2009.

“BASF offers a wide range of solutions that contribute to protecting our climate as demonstrated in our corporate carbon footprint, which we published last year,” says Dr. Ulrich von Deessen, BASF’s climate protection officer. “We are also constantly optimizing our production process with the aim of reducing emissions. Through both projects, we are actively contributing to climate protection.” BASF reports reduction of its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 32% and specific emissions by 60% between 1990 and 2008.  —[email protected]