Innovations

The innovation activities of the Group companies are a key factor in our competitive strength. They enable us to respond to the challenges presented by customers and economic megatrends. These megatrends include the growth in the world's energy requirements, which makes it more and more important to make efficient use of resources and reduce emissions in energy generation. Innovative materials and processes play a major role in this.

For example, superconductors are helping prepare the ground for the electricity infrastructure of the future. As they conduct electricity extremely well compared with copper, superconductors make it possible to build generators that are smaller and lighter and at the same time offer higher efficiency. If generators of this kind are used in future wind turbines, the advantages in terms of efficiency and weight will translate into significantly higher outputs than conventional wind turbines can achieve.

Superconducting wire often consists of several layers, with the substrate tape responsible for the mechanical strength and life expectancy of the wire. For these substrates ThyssenKrupp VDM – the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance materials – has developed a special nickel-tungsten foil. In association with Zenergy Power, a specialist in superconductor technology for utilities and industrial companies, and several universities, we are researching promising technologies for the mass production of low-cost superconducting wires. This project is being funded by the North Rhine Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

Uhde is contributing its PRENFLO-PDQ process for the gasification of biomass to a research and development project in France into the production of second-generation biofuels. As well as Uhde, five French partners are involved in the new BioTfueL project. It integrates various biomass-to-liquids technology components with the aim of optimizing the efficiency of the process chain, harmonizing the individual steps and developing a commercially viable overall system. To this end the partners aim to find efficient methods for the drying and crushing of the biomass, torrefaction, gasification, purification of the synthesis gas and its ultimate conversion to second-generation biofuel.

The gasification process Uhde is contributing to the process is suitable for a wide range of biomasses and other raw materials. It offers outstanding flexibility and energy efficiency and permits the production of very pure synthesis gas. In addition to the development of the entire process chain, the project also includes the construction and operation of two pilot facilities in France, which will produce biodiesel and biokerosene on the basis of Uhde's technology from 2012.

BioTfueL is part of the implementation of the EU directive on renewable energies, under which biofuels from renewable resources are to account for ten percent of fuel production by 2020.