Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

New process optimizes aniline production

Away from the tube

1/2Go to image Suche

Together with their colleagues, Dr. Knut Sommer and Dr. Ido Schwarz (left to right) have optimized a new procedure for largescale production of aniline in the laboratory on the basis of previous research work.

Polyurethanes can be found in many items of everyday use: in shoe soles and mattresses, or the thermal insulation in refrigerators and housing. Aniline is an important raw material for the production of certain polyurethanes. In a multi-step chemical process, aniline is used to produce an important isocyanate for polyurethane production. Specialists at Bayer MaterialScience have developed a new process for the manufacture of aniline that is not only cheaper, but also enables a higher degree of purity.

“Mini 9” – the model for Shanghai

In record time, a laboratory facility called “Mini 9” was developed that works according to the new process and can be expanded to world scale. The concept was so good that a 50,000-ton pilot plant was constructed at the beginning of 2006 in Antwerp. Bayer is thus well equipped for the enormous facility planned for construction in Shanghai. Read the following article to find out about the new process which will be used to produce aniline for polyurethane manufacture in the future.