PODCAST: Electric cracker furnace shows power of chemical industry innovation

LONDON (ICIS)–The overall winner of this year’s ICIS Innovation Awards – BASF, Linde and SABIC’s electrically heated steam cracker furnace – could have a massive impact on overall chemical industry emissions if the technology is widely adopted.

• World’s first electrically heated steam cracker at demonstration stage
• Cuts CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared with natural gas-fired crackers
• Tripartite win shows strength of partnerships
• Challenges include obtaining sufficient renewable energy, financing for scale up
• Financial risks can be reduced by converting one furnace at a time

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Michael Reitz, technology manager for BASF and Martin Hofstaetter, process engineer for furnace technology at Linde.

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Editor’s note: This podcast is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the presenter and interviewees, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.

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