Breaking barriers with supercomputers: pushing the boundaries of science and technology

A supercomputer or high-performance computer enables processing of large amounts of data and extremely complex computations at a much faster rate than ordinary computers, including simulation tasks and mathematical models for complex physical phenomena, weather forecasting, life sciences, manufacturing, and other applications that require large computational capacity.

Supercomputers allow applications to leverage the computational power of a cluster of numerous similar computers by executing thousands or more operations at once, instead of serial processing on an ordinary computer.

Boosting innovative power with a supercomputer

BASF is taking advantage of opportunities provided by the progress in digital technologies, especially regarding the accelerated sustainability transition and faster innovation. Among these, high-performance computing has developed into a key research capability to deliver a competitive advantage to science and business. To provide the necessary computational power, BASF operates the world’s largest supercomputer for industrial chemical research.

This supercomputer capacity allows researchers to run complex simulations that were once deemed impossible. For instance, intricate modelling of molecular processes and materials with specific properties and functionalities helping to increase their sustainability performance, can now be carried out in short time, while covering a vast range of simulation parameters at the required level of accuracy.

Supercomputing is also used in industrial catalyst research, aiming to increase efficiency and sustainability by decreasing usage of raw materials and thus generating less waste. This enables a considerable reduction in the development time for innovative molecules and chemical compounds, thereby accelerating the market launch of new products.