19 Jan 2016

Clariant and CB&I to design world's largest single-train dehydrogenation unit in China

Propane and butane dehydrogenation unit to be built for Hengli Petrochemical Refinery Co. in Dalian, China
Design based on CB&I’s Catofin® technology using Clariant’s tailor-made Catofin catalyst and Heat Generating Material

Munich, January 19, 2016 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. Ltd to develop an extensive propane and butane dehydrogenation unit in cooperation with CB&I. The project includes the license and engineering design of the co-processing unit, which is to be built in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.

The design will be based on CB&I’s Catofin® catalytic dehydrogenation technology using Clariant’s tailor-made Catofin catalyst and Heat Generating Material (HGM) to process feedstock containing 300,000 metric tons of propane and 600,000 metric tons of isobutane annually for the joint production of propylene and isobutylene. When completed, it will be the largest single-train co-processing dehydrogenation unit in the world, and will play a key role in Hengli’s expansion plans.

The Catofin process is recognized as a highly reliable and efficient technology for producing propylene from propane, and isobutylene from isobutane. The process operates at optimum reactor pressure and temperature to maximize conversion of propane and isobutene for a high yield of propylene and isobutylene, and correspondingly low investment and operating costs. These performance advantages are now further enhanced through the inclusion of HGM in the Catofin process.

HGM is an innovative metal-oxide material which is designed to significantly increase selectivity and yield of Catofin units. The material is loaded into the catalyst bed with the catalyst where it undergoes oxidation and reduction during the operating cycle, producing heat and driving the dehydrogenation reaction. This not only boosts yields and saves energy, but also reduces emissions. In recognition of its significant step-change contribution to feedstock utilization efficiency, HGM was awarded a special mention by the ICIS Innovation Awards 2014.

HGM demonstrated excellent performance at the propane dehydrogenation plant of Ningbo Haiyue New Material Co. Limited in Ningbo City, China. Hengli will be the second co-processing plant to utilize HGM, following the successful unit designed for Shandong Sincier Petrochemical Co., Ltd. in Dongying, Shandong Province, China.

Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President & General Manager Business Unit Catalysts at Clariant, stated, “We are very pleased to be part of this groundbreaking project for Hengli Petrochemical Refinery. The contract is further proof that our customers recognize and demand the technological and economical advantages of Catofin and HGM.”

Daniel McCarthy, President of CB&I’s Technology operating group, added, “Catofin technology provides our customers with proven reliability and the flexibility to co-process multiple feed compositions at world scale capacities.”

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Notes for editors

Catofin® IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.

www.clariant.com

Clariant is a globally leading specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On December 31, 2014 the company employed a total workforce of 17 003. In the financial year 2014, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.116 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis, Natural Resources, and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant’s corporate strategy is based on five pillars: increase profitability, reposition portfolio, add value with sustainability, foster innovation and R&D, and intensify growth.

www.clariant.com/catalysts

Clariant’s Catalysts business unit is a leading global developer and producer of catalysts for industrial processes. It has been part of the Catalysis & Energy business area of the Clariant Group since the acquisition of Süd-Chemie in 2011. Clariant Catalysts is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has a total of 18 production sites, 14 sales offices, and 12 R&D and technical centers around the world. Approximately 1790 employees serve customers across all regional markets. Aimed at delivering sustainable value to customers, Clariant’s catalysts and adsorbents are designed to increase production throughput, lower energy consumption, and reduce hazardous emissions from industrial processes. The broad portfolio also includes products that enable the use of alternative feedstock for chemical and fuel production.