Currently, Clariant has two catalyst production plants in China, in Shanghai and Panjin, with a third under construction in the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. Announced in September 2020, the latter will produce its Catofin catalyst for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). Full run is expected to be reached in 2022.

The business that now belongs to Clariant Catalysts first became active in China nearly 50 years ago, providing full catalytic solutions to Chinese nitrogen fertilizer producers. Kevin Chan, head of Clariant Catalysts China, said the new research center is part of the business’s commitment to local innovation and growth in the People’s Republic, where it aims to be the leading innovator in catalysis, benefiting China and beyond.

With the new catalyst research facility, Clariant’s Chinese innovation center now has five technology Platforms, including Chemistry and Materials, Biotechnology, Catalysis, Process Technology and Emerging Technologies. Together with the application platforms of the business units, these will form the basis for market-driven innovation and allow an adequate response to sustainability challenges, the company says.

Researchers at the center will collaborate with international academic institutions, including top universities in China that provide advanced research on key technologies and catalysis globally. At the same time, the activities pursued there will be strongly integrated into the Clariant Catalysts network of 10 R&D centers worldwide.

The Chinese chemical industry, growing steadily at higher rates than other regions over the past years, now represents the world’s largest chemical market, accounting for 46% of world chemical sales.                                    

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist