BASF and RWE plan to co-operate on new technologies for climate protection

• Green electricity and innovative production technologies could make the Ludwigshafen chemical site a lighthouse for climate protection in the chemical industry
• Additional offshore wind farm with a capacity of 2 GW would provide BASF with green electricity for CO2-free production processes from 2030
• Letter of intent focuses on climate-neutral chemical industry and CO2-free hydrogen

In Ludwigshafen, Germany, Dr Martin Brudermüller (BASF) and Dr Markus Krebber (RWE), accompanied by Chairman of the Mining, Chemical and Energy Industries Union (IG BCE) Michael Vassiliadis, presented a project idea that shows how industrial production can become sustainable and future-proof. The project envisions an additional offshore wind farm with a capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW) to provide the Ludwigshafen chemical site with green electricity and enable CO2-free production of hydrogen. The aim is to electrify the production processes for basic chemicals, which are currently based on fossil fuels.

This will involve utilising CO2-free technologies, such as electrically heated steam cracker furnaces to produce petrochemicals. BASF is already working with partners on developing these technologies. To advance the joint project, the CEOs of BASF and RWE have signed a letter of intent covering a wide-ranging co-operation for the creation of additional capacities for renewable electricity and the use of innovative technologies for climate protection.

"Together we want to accelerate the transition to a CO2-neutral chemical industry through electrification and through the use of CO2-free hydrogen,” said Brudermüller and Krebber. Michael Vassiliadis, Chairman of the Mining, Chemical and Energy Industries Union (IG BCE), commented: "Here, two strong partners are making climate-friendly transformation and energy transition tangible and concrete. We stand behind this major project because it can be a symbol for the innovative power of industry and its employees. In many places, they are working with great passion and expertise to shape the transformation. They deserve all the support they can get.”

These plans could result in the avoidance of around 3.8 million metric tons (Mt) of CO2emissions per year, of which 2.8Mt would be realised directly at BASF in Ludwigshafen. It shows very clearly how climate protection and competitiveness can be harmonised in the chemical industry. No public subsidies would be needed for the construction of the wind farm.

Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, stressed: "Without the availability of sufficient volumes of electricity from renewable sources at competitive prices, our future transformation will not be possible! This task is only achievable with innovative and intensive co-operation between politics and industry. And it requires collaboration across the value chains. In our partnership between RWE as a leading company in power generation and BASF in chemicals, we bring together the necessary prerequisites and the will to shape things.”

Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, added: "Coupling a new offshore wind farm already in the planning stage to an industrial customer such as BASF, who will convert its production to green electricity and hydrogen on this basis, would be a first for Germany. The realisation of our proposal would represent a true acceleration of the expansion of renewable energies. Of course, there are still some open questions, but we want to push this forward – the faster, the better. This is how we will shape the energy transition.”

Realising this plan will require a suitable regulatory framework. Policymakers have said they plan to significantly increase the expansion targets for renewable energies and accelerate capacity additions. For this to succeed, there will need to be a tendering process for offshore project sites where the current plans only foresee use after 2030. The companies instigate that these sites should be specifically designated for tenders focused on industrial transformation processes. Another important factor: Green electricity should not be subject to EEG levy. In addition, there is currently no regulatory framework for CO2-free hydrogen production.

With the project presented today, BASF and RWE show how a cleverly planned transformation of Germany’s industrial sector can succeed. "We are convinced: Climate-neutral industrial production ‘made in Germany’ ensures that value added and employment remain in Germany and opens up export opportunities for new technologies,” said Brudermüller and Krebber.