09-05-2017

Clariant catalysts contribute significantly to emission control in China

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, is among the foremost catalyst suppliers supporting Chinese producers in stationary emission control. The company combines high-performance EnviCat catalysts with 40 years of global expertise in catalytic air and gas purification to offer highly effective solutions for the market. Most importantly, Clariant’s strong presence in China enables close cooperation between the company’s technical specialists and customers in the creation of tailor-made catalyst solutions, which not only solve emission challenges, but also improve production processes. This has enhanced Clariant’s status as a preferred partner for China’s largest environmental engineering companies, and supplier to a broad range of well-known enterprises.

Under China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), industries are required to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The government has introduced new environmental assessment methods, which have already demonstrated notable progress. One important technology needed to achieve China’s ambitious targets is catalytic reduction of pollutants. Clariant optimally fulfills this requirement through its EnviCat catalyst series. The range comprises specialized catalysts for removing a variety of gases and manufacturing by-products, such as volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, nitrous oxide, ammonia, metal hydrides and halogens.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a key air pollutant in China, primarily emitted by fertilizer production, fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. It is one of the most hazardous greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential that is around 300 times larger than that of carbon dioxide (CO2). As one of the market leaders in catalytic N2O abatement, Clariant offers optimal solutions for this challenge. Clariant’s N2O catalysts are installed in more than 25 nitric acid production plants globally. Combined, the installations reduce annual N2O emissions equivalent to approximately 15 million metric tons of CO2.

In 2016, Clariant added a new drop-in solution to its EnviCat N2O series with additional benefits for customers and the environment. The new EnviCat N2O-S catalyst can be easily installed in existing nitric acid plants without revamping the facility, and converts the majority of N2O generated in secondary nitric acid installations or high N2O gas streams, such as in adipic acid production. At the same time, it reduces ammonia requirements for the same amount of nitric acid yield, thus substantially lowering operating costs. These unique performance benefits were recently demonstrated at the Huayang Dier nitric acid plant.

Thomas Wenger, Head of Business Unit Catalysts, Clariant China, described the company’s market vision, stating, “It is one of Clariant’s highest priorities to support Chinese producers, particularly in the field of emission control. We are convinced that we can contribute to the shift of the Chinese economy to a more sustainable path. Our commitment goes beyond providing powerful process catalysts; it also encompasses greater employee safety, reduced energy consumption and improved input efficiency.”