Dow, BASF Receive Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

The Dow Chemical Co. and BASF received a 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. The two companies were honored for their jointly developed hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology that improves the production process of a key chemical intermediate, propylene oxide. Propylene oxide from the HPPO process can be used in a variety of applications from home insulation, appliances, automobiles and furniture to aircraft de-icers, paints, brake fluids and pharmaceuticals.The award has been presented on behalf of the White House by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency annually since 1996.  It recognizes breakthrough technologies that transfer sustainability principles from the research lab into the real world to enable environmentally responsible and economically viable routes to commercial chemical manufacturing. It is the seventh Presidential Green Chemistry award for Dow and the fourth for BASF."The EPA's recognition is a testimony to the power of innovation and collaboration that came together in this project," says Guillermo Novo, Dow's vice president for Polyurethanes. "It will require more new technologies and partnering like this between companies, governments, NGOs and communities to secure our sustainable future." "We are proud to have such an outstanding example of joint research and development," says Jacques Delmoitiez, president of BASF's Polyurethanes division. "This state-of-the-art technology combines economic success with improved environmental performance and has set the standards for future projects."The Dow-BASF innovation offers distinct economic and environmental benefits when compared to conventional propylene oxide (PO) process technologies. A joint study conducted by the two companies in 2007 using BASF's Eco-Efficiency Analysis tool revealed the new HPPO process reduces wastewater by 70% to 80% and energy use by approximately 35%, compared with existing PO technology.  For more information, visit: http://www.dow.com or http://www.basf.com.