Lummus and Clariant Catalysts expand CATOFIN footprint with India's first PDH plant

- GAIL (India) Limited to build the country's first propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant with CATOFINTM technology

- CATOFIN catalysts and technology are quickly becoming the preferred choice globally for PDH

- Benefits include significantly higher productivity, reliability and return on investment

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Oct 21, 2021, 13:00 ET

HOUSTON, Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lummus Technology, and its catalysts partner, Clariant Catalysts, announced another major contract award in India that will expand their global share of the PDH market. GAIL (India) Limited has selected Lummus Technology's CATOFIN process and Clariant's tailor-made catalysts for India's first PDH plant. Its upcoming 500 kiloton per annum propane dehydrogenation facility in Usar, Maharashtra, will be integrated with a downstream polypropylene (PP) unit. The U.S. $1.2 billion PDH-PP project is expected to start operations by 2024.

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"Getting the first PDH award in India is very exciting, considering the anticipated growth of the petrochemicals market here. This award displays the innovative strength of the partnership between Lummus and Clariant," said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. "Lummus is grateful to GAIL for getting selected and is committed to providing best-in-class PDH technology that offers a reliable, optimized and low-carbon route to propylene."

"We are extremely proud of the ever-increasing global demand for CATOFIN – and we couldn't have achieved this without our long-time partner, Lummus Technology," said Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Clariant Catalysts. "Thanks to our collaboration, we are able to offer GAIL (India) excellent performance and profitability by combining the best of PDH expertise with catalyst innovation."

Since 2017, CATOFIN Technology has been selected for a majority of new PDH awards globally, representing 32 new PDH plants, or more than 22 million metric tons of propylene annually.

CATOFIN technology is a highly reliable and productive method for light paraffin dehydrogenation. The process operates at thermodynamically advantaged reactor pressure and temperature to maximize conversion of propane to propylene, while reducing investment and operating costs. Selectivity and yield are further enhanced with Clariant's Heat Generating Material (HGM), its metal-oxide innovation that produces heat and drives the dehydrogenation reaction. Thanks to its extraordinarily high reliability and productivity, CATOFIN delivers excellent annual production output compared to alternative technologies.

These performance advantages were key to GAIL India's decision to select CATOFIN technology and catalysts after an international competitive bidding process.

GAIL India is the country's largest natural gas company, and one of seven Maharatna Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Government of India. Founded in 1984, the Delhi-based company operates in India and abroad in various segments such as transmission services, natural gas marketing, petrochemicals, liquefied petroleum gas and other hydrocarbons of liquid.

About Lummus Technology
Lummus Technology is the global leader in developing process technologies that make modern life possible and focus on a more sustainable, low carbon future. Lummus is a master licensor of clean energy, petrochemical, refining, gas processing and renewable technologies, and a supplier of catalysts, proprietary equipment, digitalization and related lifecycle services to customers worldwide. To learn more about Lummus, visit www.LummusTechnology.com.

About Clariant
Clariant is a focused and innovative specialty chemical company based in Muttenz, near Basel/Switzerland. On 31 December 2019, the company employed a total workforce of 17 223. In the financial year 2019, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 4.399 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in three business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Natural Resources. Clariant's corporate strategy is based on five pillars: focus on innovation and R&D, add value with sustainability, reposition portfolio, intensify growth, and increase profitability.

Clariant's Catalysts business unit is a leading global developer and producer of catalysts for industrial processes. It has been part of the Catalysis 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 16 production sites (incl Joint Ventures), 7 sales offices, and 11 R&D and technical centers around the world. Approximately 2,061 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. Visit www.clariant.com/catalysts to learn more about Clariant's Catalysts business unit.

SOURCE Lummus Technology, LLC