“We had been underrepresented in North America for years, but this year, we will have neutralised that with sales in the region in the 22% range,” said Ken Golder, president and CEO of Clariant Corp, and head of the North American region. “Yet we are not satisfied with neutral, and see continued investment in the region.”
- Petrochemical and Refining Catalysts
- Synthesis Gas (Syngas) Catalysts
- Chemical Catalysts
- Emissions Control Catalysts
- Zeolite Powders
- Custom Catalysts
Marvin Estenfelder, Head of R&D at Clariant’s Catalysts business unit, said, “3D printing provides exciting opportunities for catalysis R&D as the geometric shape of a catalyst has a major impact on its performance.”
He noted as well that, while most 3D printers are more known for using plastics, it’s not a huge stretch to adapt them to using ceramics and metal.
Clariant currently creates small amounts of catalysts using high throughput screening (HTS), impregnation coating techniques, and 3D printing. The technology could also be used at the nanoscale level for “pore engineering,” which would allow designers to build pores in the optimal position in the catalysts. But Estenfelder says that 3D printing production of catalysts in commercial quantities is still not feasible.
“We are far away from commercial operations,” explained Estenfelder. “Today it is more a tool in the lab.”
Until then, Clariant is busy expanding its footprint in North America. Last year, the company completed some major acquisitions and capital investments, and its North American sales have grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 4.3% since 2011, reaching $1.1 billion in 2016. It acquired North American oil services companies Kel-Tech and X-Chem, and mining services company Flomin, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new polypropylene catalyst plant in Kentucky, and commissioned its new ethylene oxide derivatives expansion in Texas. It also recently introduced two new catalysts: PolyMax 850, which converts olefins from fluid catalytic cracking into high octane gasoline and higher olefins, and ReforMax LDP Plus, which is used to produce syngas from methane. Discuss in the Clariant forum at 3DPB.com.
[Source: ICIS Chemical Business]