Oxea’s Ruhrchemie Plant Honored as “Historical Landmark of Chemistry”

On their anniversary "75 years of oxo synthesis", Oxea and the Association of German Chemists (GDCh) recognized the pioneering work of Dr. Otto Roelen in the field of hydroformylation (oxo synthesis). The commemorative plaque displaying the words "Historical Landmark of Chemistry" was ceremoniously unveiled by the vice president of the GDCh, Prof. Dr. Michael Droescher, at Oxea's Ruhrchemie plant together with more than 100 guests from the industry, business and politics.

With this program, the GDCh honors achievements in chemistry of historical importance. As memorial sites, the places of work of those scientists involved are distinguished. "The discovery of the oxo synthesis by Roelen in 1938 was pioneering for the metal-organic chemicals industry and the application of homogenous catalysis on an industrial scale", said Dr. Martina Floeel, spokeswoman for the executive board at Oxea.

In addition, the Fischer-Tropsch process, which was first used industrially by Roelen at the Ruhrchemie plant, and the large-scale manufacturing of high-molecular-weight polyethylene according to the method developed by Karl Ziegler were recognized.

"Today, more than 12 million tons of oxo chemicals are produced worldwide on the basis of the oxo synthesis. These are used to make products like cleaning agents and detergents, flavorings and fragrances, cables and hoses, hand lotions, paints and varnishes, food wrapping products and safety film lamination, high-quality coatings as well as lubricants for environmentally-friendly cooling appliances and turbines", Floeel continued.

In North Rhine Westphalia, this honor was previously only awarded to the Max-Planck Institute for Coal Research in Muelheim/Ruhr; since 1999, this commemorative plaque was unveiled at 12 other locations across Germany.