BASF Receives Approval for World's Largest Industrial CO2 Heat Pump Construction

BASF has received funding approval from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to build the world’s most powerful industrial heat pump at its Ludwigshafen site. This innovative project, aimed at significantly reducing CO2 emissions, is a key step in BASF’s green transformation strategy. The heat pump, which will use waste heat from the steam cracker, will contribute to the production of CO2-free steam, marking a global first in industrial-scale steam generation.

The German Federal Ministry will provide up to €310 million for the project, which will begin construction in the first quarter of 2025. Once operational in 2027, the heat pump is expected to have a capacity of 500,000 metric tons of steam per year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the Ludwigshafen site by up to 100,000 metric tons annually.

Robert Habeck, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, presented the funding approval to Uwe Liebelt, President of European Verbund Sites at BASF SE, in recognition of the project’s contribution to sustainable chemical production. Powered by renewable energy, the heat pump will play a vital role in producing formic acid with up to 98% lower emissions, while a portion of the CO2-free steam will be used at other BASF facilities.

Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, highlighted that the project is a pioneering step in the green transformation of the chemical industry: "This is the first plant of its kind to be used for steam generation, and there are no comparable industrial pilot projects globally."

BASF’s focus on electrifying steam generation aligns with the company’s ambitious climate protection goals, including achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This project, along with other innovations at Ludwigshafen, such as the water electrolyzer and electrically heated steam crackers, showcases BASF’s commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing sustainability across its operations.