Clariant opens new catalysts R&D lab in Brazil

Swiss specialty chemicals producer Clariant has opened a new R&D laboratory for catalysts for the chemicals and oil and gas industries at its manufacturing plant in Suzano, in Brazil’s São Paulo state, the company said in a statement.
The lab will focus on developing new generations of catalysts as well as providing technical support to customers in the region.
“The projected growth of the gas industry in Brazil is very impressive and Clariant will contribute to that growth,” said Stefan Heuser, senior VP and head of the catalysts business unit.
Gas supplies are set to triple from current levels of 65Mf3/d (1.84Mm3/d) to around 180Mf3/d in 2020 with demand for goods and services for the oil and gas industries expected to reach US$400 billion, according to the National Petroleum Industry Organization.
Clariant’s adsorbents are used to purify natural gas, which comes out of the well with impurities such as sulfur, mercury, arsine and other compounds harmful to the environment and the plant equipment. In addition, tightening fuel specifications in the region and the necessity of processing more challenging feedstocks are driving hydrogen catalyst demand, the company said.
The center was established from the acquisition of relevant catalysts assets of Brazilian chemical company Oxiteno in mid-2012, which included patents and research labs.
(June 25, 2013)