Microstructured devices and their potential for novel, more efficient chemical processes have received a great attention among experts over the past years. By using these devices with structural details in the submillimeter range inside, chemists and engineers expect a number of advantages compared to conventional production of chemicals: higher safety, lower environmental risk and pollution as well as better use of raw materials. Beyond these sustainability issues, microstructured devices will contribute to a better economic efficiency. A step towards better chemical processes was done recently: A high-performance microreactor developed at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe was successfully used in a chemical production process at DSM Fine Chemicals GmbH.
