A research partnership has been set up to study the dissolution and processing of cellulose using ionic liquids.

German chemical company BASF has set up a research partnership with the University of Alabama, US, to study the dissolution and processing of cellulose using ionic liquids. 

Cellulose is the most widespread natural organic chemical on earth, but an intensive exploitation of cellulose as a biorenewable feedstock has not been possible before now because there was no suitable solvent. BASF plans to overcome this hurdle with the advent of ionic liquids. 

’By combining our knowledge of innovative ionic liquids with the specific expertise the University of Alabama possesses in the field of cellulose products, we are progressing into a fascinating area,’ said Stefan Marcinowski, research executive director at BASF.