Located at the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, the facility will produce Clariant’s Catofin catalyst for propane dehydrogenation (PDH), which is used to produce olefins such as propylene or isobutene. Construction is scheduled to start this quarter with full capacity planned by 2022.
“As we have defined the right portfolio for Clariant’s focused growth strategy, it is now vital that we invest in these core high-value specialty businesses, such as catalysts, to put them in the strongest possible market positions. China continues to be a growth market with attractive prospects for Clariant,” said Clariant’s chief operating officer Hans Bohnen.
The plant will also be Clariant Catalysts’ most digitized facility to date, incorporating sophisticated automation systems throughout the production process. Clariant already has a joint venture facility with the North Huajin Group in Panjin as well as a fully-owned Clariant facility in Jinshan, Shanghai.
According to Clariant, China is the world’s leading producer of on-purpose propylene, accounting for about 50% of total global capacity, with output expected to continue rising by 8% annually. As such, the first phase of the new plant will focus on meeting China’s PDH requirements.
Clariant added that it may expand manufacturing capabilities at the site in the future to offer further catalyst technologies that are relevant to China’s chemical industry.
Partnership with Tianjin University
In separate news, Clariant Catalysts has formed a long-term, strategic partnership with Tianjin University (TJU), establishing the Clariant-TJU Academy to focus on the research and development of new catalysts.
“We are convinced that the results of this important research initiative will benefit our customers globally, but particularly in the local Chinese market,” said Marvin Estenfelder, head of R&D at Clariant Catalysts.
TJU president Donghan Jin said that as well as offering students the opportunity to gain industrial experience with Clariant’s scientists and enhancing the knowledge of its researchers and faculties, the cooperation also provides a way for the university to commercialize the joint research results using Clariant’s infrastructure.
Clariant has initially committed for four-years but added that it “looks forward to many positive outcomes and the possibility of a future extension in duration and scope”.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
