Clariant Catalyst plant opens

Clariant's new SFr80 million CATOFIN catalyst plant opened in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, on April 12. The facility will meet the demand for high-yield, high-reliability CATOFIN catalysts for propane dehydrogenation production processes.

Clariant said the new facility will further expand Clariant's footprint in China, adding to its already operational Jinshan Catalyst plant in Shanghai and its catalyst research and development center in the Clariant Integrated Park in Shanghai. "This investment is part of Clariant's strategy to strengthen its regional footprint and enhance localized production and supply in China through leading catalyst technology in a strongly growing market segment," said Yan Kunze, president of Clariant's catalyst business and Asia Pacific.

CATOFIN is a catalyst based on a propane dehydrogenation process that can be used to produce olefin products such as propylene. With its high reliability and production efficiency, CATOFIN provides propylene producers with superior annual output, thereby increasing the overall profitability of the plant. Clariant has also developed special heating materials that can reduce the energy consumption of the CATOFIN process by one-third.

Wang Jianji, Global Vice President, Propylene Business Unit, Clariant Catalyst Business Unit, said: "In a market with rapidly growing demand, the new facility will significantly increase the production capacity of this highly sought-after high-value catalyst, enabling Clariant to be well positioned to meet the needs of the region, while ensuring closer proximity to strategic customer groups."