Abstract: A method for manufacturing alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal formate, starting from a formate anion comprises at least the following sequential steps: A) conversion of a solid anion exchanger to formate form by feeding into it a solution containing a formate anion, B) exchanging the formate anion in the anion exchanger for a replacing anion by feeding into it an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salt solution of this replacing anion, C) recovering the alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal formate solution eluted from the anion exchanger during the exchange of the formate anion. The anion exchanger is converted to formate form by feeding into it a sodium formate solution, a formic acid solution or a solution which contains both sodium formate and formic acid. The method can be used for production of potassium formate or calcium formate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyvalent alcohols by hydrogenation of an aldehyde. According to the invention said aldehyde is obtained by aldolisation reaction of an aldehyde containing an &agr; hydrogen atom and having the formula R1CHO, or the mixture of said aldehyde with a second different aldehyde having the formula or R2CHO, wherein R1 is selected from alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, and R2 is selected from H, alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, said aldolisation being carried out in the presence of a weak base anion exchange resin, and the hydrogenation being carried out in the presence of a solvent and a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for catalytic hydrogenation of non-hormonal unsaturated plant steroids and unsaturated plant-based fatty acids and triglycerides thereof using a metal catalyst bound to a polymer support containing grafted groups. The invention also relates to regeneration of a used catalyst.