Chapter 6 Catalysis for industrial chemicals

We seek to define research objectives in heterogeneous catalysis which, if achieved, will enable the production of major industrial chemicals with greater energy and feedstock efficiency and with improved environmental friendliness. We outline both current manufacturing processes and potentially advantageous advanced technologies that may improve the ways that commodity chemicals and polymers are produced. Based on input from experts in industrial heterogeneous catalysis, we identify potential technologies from which advanced manufacturing processes may be developed. These technological goals, in turn, define research objectives that may be appropriate subjects for consideration