World's First Electrically Heated Steam Cracking Furnace

BASF, SABIC, and Linde have inaugurated the world's first large-scale electrically heated steam cracking furnace at BASF's Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. This demonstration plant, which consumes 6 megawatts of renewable electrical energy, is designed to test the technology's potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 90% compared to conventional steam crackers.

Steam cracking plays a crucial role in the chemical industry, involving the breakdown of hydrocarbons into basic chemicals like olefins and aromatics. Traditionally, this process uses significant energy, with temperatures reaching about 850 degrees Celsius. The new technology allows these temperatures to be achieved using renewable energy sources, marking a significant step towards reducing the chemical industry's carbon footprint.

"With the development of electrically operated steam cracking furnaces, we are getting our hands on a key technology that will help to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industry," said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.

The demonstration plant features two separate furnaces, each with a different heating concept. The first uses direct heating, applying electric current directly to the cracking coils, while the second employs indirect heating, with radiative heat from elements surrounding the coils. Together, these furnaces process around 4 tons of hydrocarbon feedstock per hour, indicating the scalability of this technology for industrial use.

The project has received €14.8 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under its "Decarbonization in Industry" program, which supports energy-intensive industries in their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.

"It is our common goal to demonstrate that it is possible to electrify the petrochemical industry and to operate a steam cracker with sustainably generated electricity," said Jürgen Nowicki, CEO of Linde Engineering. "This outstanding joint project is a significant proof of how together we can develop ground-breaking technologies that will advance us on the journey towards net-zero CO₂ emissions and climate-neutral industry."

The demonstration plant results from a joint agreement signed in March 2021 between BASF, SABIC, and Linde to develop and test solutions for electrically heated steam cracking furnaces. Linde was responsible for the plant's engineering, procurement, and construction, while BASF operates it. In the future, Linde plans to commercialize the developed technologies under the new trademark STARBRIDGE™, offering the petrochemical industry a path to decarbonization.

"The e-furnace's technology holds huge potential for the sustainability of the global petrochemical industry," stated Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of SABIC.

The newly launched electrically heated steam cracking furnace aims to revolutionize the chemical industry by offering a sustainable solution that could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90%. The collaborative effort between BASF, SABIC, and Linde demonstrates the potential of renewable energy in petrochemical production and sets the stage for a more sustainable future.