Clariant to supply catalysts for Ineos' mega PDH plant in Europe

Clariant has been awarded a long-term supply contract by UK-based Ineos to supply Catofin catalysts and Heat Generating Material (HGM) for a major propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant to be constructed in Europe. Scheduled for completion in 2023, the facility is designed to produce 750,000-tpa of propylene, which will make it the largest PDH plant in Europe.

For the project, Clariant will collaborate with its process partner, McDermott, which has exclusive licensing rights to Lummus’ Catofin technology. Clariant is the sole developer and supplier of tailor-made catalysts and HGM for the Catofin process. Clariant’s HGM enhances the performance advantages of Catofin technology and catalysts. As its name implies, the patented metal-oxide material is designed to produce heat and drive the dehydrogenation reaction, thereby further increasing yields and conserving energy, as well as reducing emissions. In operation at 17 facilities worldwide, comprising over 8-mtpa, Catofin dehydrogenation technology is used to produce olefins, such as propylene or isobutylene, from light paraffin feedstocks. The process operates at optimum reactor pressure and temperature to maximise conversion and selectivity of propane to propylene, while reducing investment and operating costs.