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On the occasion of its anniversary of ’75 years of oxo synthesis’, Oxea and the Association of German Chemists (GDCh) recognised 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 Dröscher, at Oxea’s Ruhrchemie plant together with more than 100 guests from the industry, business and politics.
With this programme, the GDCh honours 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 homogeneous catalysis on an industrial scale”, said Dr Martina Flöel, 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 recognised.
"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, flavourings 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”, Flöel continued.
In North Rhine Westphalia, this honour was previously only awarded to the Max-Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim/Ruhr; since 1999, this commemorative plaque was unveiled at 12 other locations across Germany.
