FOCUS ON
C A T A L Y S T S
A MONTHLY REPORT FROM
TOM DEGNAN
FEBRUARY 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
MARKETS AND BUSINESS
Global refinery catalysts markets, 2014-2019: 2020-2025
Polypropylene catalyst market worth $2.5 billion by 2025
Carbon nanotubes market worth $9.8 bn by 2023
Worldwide glacial acetic acid industry to 2025
Global building integrated photovoltaics market (2020 to 2025)
Polypropylene - emerging scenario: dream surge in five years
COMPANY NEWS
Braskem and HaldorTopsoe achieve first production of bio-based MEG from
sugar
Honeywell introduces next- generation catalyst to address 'smell in cabin'
events
Pertamina to use Honeywell UOP technology for advanced fuels
Total to use UOP technology to produce renewable jet fuel and diesel
BASF to increase price for dimethylaminopropylamine North America
Cargill and partners join forces to convert lactic acid into bio-based acrylic
acid
World's largest single train methanol plants to use Johnson Matthey
technology
Johnson Matthey and Thyssenkrupp renew partnership for ammonia
production
Profits without subsidies?
KBR's energy efficient ammonia technology selected by Monolith Materials
Clariant and Jiangsu Jinneng partner in catalytic off-gas treatment
Clariant's MegaMax 800 catalyst set production record at BaofengMeOH
plant
Lummus and CLG win multiple awards for PRPP's refinery & PC complex
Hydrocarbon Engineering signs MoU with NTPC for CO2 to methanol plants
BASF announces new MRO station in Shanghai for Deoxo
Nouryon expands its colloidal silica product line for the catalyst industry
Acquisition of additional shares in HTExplore SRL in Italy
Huntsman appoints Univar Solutions as distributor of polyurethane additives
portfolio
NEW PLANTS
Chinese operator lets contract for PDH units
Formosa Plastics USA begins operation of new LDPE unit at Point Comfort
site
Danish partnership to build world's first commercial scale green ammonia
plant
Tuepras upgrades Izmit refinery to expand diesel production
Numaligarh Refinery Limited awards refinery expansion project to
Thyssenkrupp
Egyptian Refining's Mostorod refinery reaches full production rates
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Umicore acquires phosphine-bearing ylide ligands from Ruhr University
Bochum
Cargill, IFPEN and Axensto advance lactic acid-to-acrylic-acid technology
Next generation catalyst helps turn plastic waste into high-quality winter
diesel
Kemira and DuPontpartner to develop new breakthrough biomaterials
Valorising emissions from steel making into sustainable products
Lonza will implement innovative NOx emissions solution before end of 2021
Covestro uses biomass for aniline production
PATENTS
Process for removing catalyst fines using nanofiltration
Olefin and BTX production using aliphatic cracking reactor
Hydrocracking process for producing distillate or naphtha
Oxygen evolution catalyst
BOOKSHELF
Cooperative Biocatalytic-Chemical Cascade Reactions
Introduction to Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology: Trends and Future Applications
EVENTS
CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
USE OF CATALYSTS ISSN 1351–4180
2–3
SOME MUSINGS ABOUT PLATINUM
GROUP METALS
Platinum group metals (PGM) have been in the
news a lot recently. PGMs, which include Pt, Pd,
3–5
Ru, Rh, Os, and Ir, are essential components in
catalysts for petroleum refining, petrochemical
manufacture, and emissions control. Recent
announcements of new green hydrogen and green
ammonia plants [see p. 4 and 5] and new propane
dehydrogenation (PDH) capacity [see p. 5] have
highlighted the criticality of these metals as catalyst
components. Platinum and iridium are essential
components in many electrolyzers – the basis for
most green hydrogen production. Iron has
traditionally been the primary component in Haber
Bosch ammonia synthesis catalysts. However,
ruthenium catalysts have been gradually displacing
iron-based catalysts because they allow lower
temperature operation. Several, but not all PDH
processes use platinum to catalyze the
dehydrogenation reaction.
The most extensive use of PGMs in catalysts is
5–6
for emissions control. The use of platinum in
automobile catalysts accounts for 34% of total
platinum demand. Jewelry demand and demand for
the metal as an investment vehicle account for an
additional 26% and 13%, respectively. The
remaining 27% is comprised of 8.1% for chemical
catalysts, 2.7% for petroleum refining catalysts, 5%
6–7 for glass, 2.1% for electrical, and 9.1% for “other.”
The sum of all catalyst demand (automotive,
refining, and chemical) amounts to approximately
45% of all platinum usage (3,800 koz out of a total
global use of 8,350 koz in 2019) [ref1].
COVID-19 has impacted demand for PGMs,
particularly for platinum. Global platinum demand
fell by 7.2% in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic
7
significantly lowering PGM use by the automobile
sector (see Focus on Catalysts, January 2021, 2).
Longer-term, PGM demand is projected to grow by
nearly 7% over the next decade (see Focus on
7 Catalysts, January 2012, 3). According to Research
and Markets, the global market for platinum, which
amounted to $6.0 bn in 2019, is expected to reach
$10.1 bn by 2027. The entire PGM market is
8
expected to reach $27 bn by 2026 [ref 2].
This growth in market value masks significant
shifts in usage. For instance, the move to more
electric passenger car vehicles (EVs) negatively
impacts PGM demand – EVs produce no emissions
- while the use for emission abatement for diesel
engines increases. The use of PGM for green
hydrogen and green ammonia production is also
projected to increase significantly.
South Africa is the principal source of platinum.
The country currently supplies nearly 50% of the
global demand. Other significant suppliers include
Zimbabwe, North America, and Russia [ref 1].
Because platinum is found in so few countries, it
has been identified as a strategic metal.
Recycling, primarily of catalysts, and to a lesser
extent of jewelry, currently supplies a quarter of
global platinum demand. In fact, the vast majority of
platinum used in heterogeneous catalysts is
recycled. Prominent PGM recyclers include
Umicore, the Heraeus Group, Metallix, and Tanaka
Precious Metal Group.
Proprietary PGM recycling processes involve
many dissolution, reprecipitation, and filtration
steps, which can be costly. However, recovery
efficiency tends to be very high – typically greater
than 95% and often greater than 99%.
Because of the cost and scarcity of PGMs, a
substantial amount of research has been directed
toward finding substitutes. Much of the research
has focused on more earth-abundant, lower-cost
elements. A successful example is recent work by
Stanford researchers in the identification of less
expensive cobalt phosphide as an attractive
replacement for platinum and iridium in commercial
electrolyzers for large scale hydrogen production
[ref 3].
That said, it may be time to revise the way we
assess the costs and the incentives for replacing
PGMs with less expensive materials as catalyst
components. Since virtually all of the precious
metals are recovered from spent catalysts,
purchasers could view the catalysts as capital just
as PGM investors do. Hedging strategies could be
invoked, similar to the manner in which speculators
treat gold or silver to offset the volatility in pricing.
The catalyst’s actual cost would then be the
expense directly associated with metals recovery
and not the price of the metal itself.
The new strategy would discourage the alloying of
PGM with other metals, as is often done to help
reduce the mobility and volatility of the metals. The
unalloyed metals would be simpler to recover. It
would also reduce incentives to minimize the metal
loading in supported metal catalysts by resorting to
exotic methods to maintain high dispersion. Higher
metal loadings on the catalysts would make the
metals easier to recover and recycle. There would be
less support to dissolve and dispose of, accompanied
by higher concentrations of PGMs in solutions.
Perhaps most importantly, it would help debunk
the concept that catalyst costs are major
impediments to the commercialization of new
processes. In fact, it would reinforce the notion that
PGMs have always been a very good example of
sustainable chemistry. PGMs, once refined from the
ore, are reused over-and-over again and never
disposed of. The research can then be redirected
responsibly toward reducing the solid and liquid
 FOCUS
waste streams and waste energy in processing the
supports and contaminants that come with the spent
catalysts. Waste reduction has been a significant
focus of companies like Umicore and Heraeus.
This revised view still does not address the
volatility in PGM pricing. History has included some
dramatic swings in the cost of platinum and
palladium. Proper evaluation of risk and timing
could lead to capital gains. The author was once
charged with “disposing” of an appreciable amount
of a supported Pt catalyst produced throughout a
years-long research program. The original platinum
salt used in preparing the catalyst was purchased
during a period of low platinum prices. Complete
recovery of the platinum at the conclusion of the
project, after which platinum prices had jumped
dramatically, produced a profit. The capital gain
posed an accounting dilemma since research is, by
definition, not a profit-making enterprise.
TOM DEGNAN
World Platinum Investment Council “3rd Quarter 2020 Report,” 18 NOV 2020
(Website: https://platinuminvestment.com/supply-and-demand/
platinum-quarterly) ã World Platinum Investment Council, 2020.
Global Precious Metal Catalysts have Several Applications in a Variety of
Industries, Market Expected to Reach $26.7 Billion by 2026 -
ResearchAndMarkets.com, 4 JUL 2019 (Website: https://www.businesswire.
com/news/home/20190704005135/en/Global-Precious-
Metal-Catalysts-have-Several-Applications-in-
a-Variety-of-Industries-Market-Expected-to- Reach-26.73-Billion-by-2026—
ResearchAndMarkets.com).
G. Chui, Stanford University, “Hydrogen electrolysis: cheap, abundant Cobalt
Phosphide can replace Platinum,” energypost.EU, 24 OCT 2019 (Website:
https://energypost.eu/hydrogen-electrolysis-cheap-abundant-
cobalt-phosphide-can-replace-platinum/).
MARKETS AND
BUSINESS
Global refinery catalysts markets,
2014-2019: 2020-2025 - increasing
adoption of zeolites as an effective
refinery catalyst driving market
growth
The “Refinery Catalysts Market: Global Industry
Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and
Forecast 2020-2025” report has been added to
ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The global
refinery catalysts market grew at a CAGR of around
4% during 2014-2019. Looking forward, the market
is set to continue its moderate growth during the
next five years. Refinery catalysts refer to various
chemical substances that are used for converting
petroleum into liquid products and fuels. They use
platinum catalysts for treating petroleum, crude oil
and gasoline to alter the rate of chemical reactions
and enhance the quality of the end product.
Significant growth in the oil and gas industry across
the globe is one of the key factors creating a
positive outlook for the market. Furthermore, the
rising demand for cleaner petroleum derivatives is
contributing to the market growth. In line with this,
the increasing adoption of zeolites as an effective
refinery catalyst is also driving the market further.
They are commonly used in fluid catalytic cracking
(FCC) processes, owing to their advantageous
properties, such as micro-porosity and adjustable
acidity and aid in converting feeds, such as cracked
and de-asphalted gas oils and vacuum resins, to
high-value products. Additionally, widespread
product adoption by the aerospace industry is
acting as another growth- inducing factor. Refinery
catalysts are used for processing jet fuels,
kerosene, hydro wax and ultra-low sulfur diesel
(ULSD) as a petroleum derivative. Other factors,
including the increasing demand for petroleum
2 February 2021
ON CATALYSTS
products for industrial power generation, along with
the implementation of favourable government
policies promoting the usage of these catalysts for
reducing toxic pollutants and smog-formation in the
air, are promoting market growth.
Original Source: Research and Markets, 2020. Found on Globe Newswire, 1
DEC 2020 (Website: http://www.globenewswire.com).
Polypropylene catalyst market worth
$2.5 billion by 2025
According to the new market research report
“Polypropylene Catalyst Market by Type (Ziegler
Natta, Metallocene and Others), Manufacturing
Process (Bulk Phase Process, Gas Phase Process
and Others), Region - Global Forecast to 2025”,
published by MarketsandMarkets, the global
polypropylene catalyst market size is estimated to
be $1.5 bn in 2020 and is projected to reach $2.5
bn, by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.9%. The growth of the
market is attributed to the increasing production of
polypropylene and growing R&D focus on
developing new speciality grades of polypropylene.
Original Source: MarketsandMarkets, 2020. Found on PR Newswire, 2 DEC
2020 (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com).
Carbon nanotubes market worth
$9.8 bn by 2023
“Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Market by Type (Single,
Multi Walled), Method (Chemical Vapor Deposition,
Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition, High-
Pressure Carbon Monoxide), Application
(Electronics, Chemical, Batteries, Energy, Medical) -
Global Forecast to 2023,” the carbon nanotubes
market is anticipated to increase from $3.9 bn in
2017 to $9.8 bn by 2023 at a CAGR of 16% from
2017 to 2023.
Original Source: Ink World, 10 DEC 2020 (Website: http://www.
inkworldmagazine.com) ã Rodman Media 2020.
Worldwide glacial acetic acid
industry to 2025 - Asia-Pacific
region to dominate the market
The “Glacial Acetic Acid Market - Growth, Trends,
and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)” report has been
added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The
market for glacial acetic acid is expected to register
a CAGR of more than 5% globally during the
forecast period. The growing demand from the PVC
segment and packaging industry has been driving
the market growth. However, the corrosive nature
and unfavourable conditions arising due to the
COVID-19 outbreak across the world are likely to
hinder the growth of the this market. The R&D in
catalysis of carbon aerogels used as electrode
material in the electrical double-layer capacitor
using glacial acetic acid is likely to provide
opportunities for the glacial acetic acid market over
the next five years. Asia-Pacific dominated the
global market, with the largest consumption in
countries, such as China and India. The vinyl
acetate monomer segment stands as the
dominating segment, owing to its widespread
consumption in various end-user industries, such as
consumer goods, packaging, automotive, and
construction. Glacial acetic acid is witnessing an
increase in consumption in a wide range of
applications, such as preservative in food and
beverages, pharmaceuticals, paints, coatings, inks,
and vinegar, and in the production of terephthalic
acid, synthetic camphor, aniline, propylene
terephthalate, etc. Vinyl acetate monomer is used in
adhesives and sealant industries, and it can be
commercially produced using glacial acetic acid.
Demand for vinyl acetate monomer has been
witnessing a substantial rise, owing to the rising
consumption of adhesives and sealants over the
world. Vinyl acetate monomer is an intermediate
used in the manufacture of a number of industrial
polymers and resins for the production of
adhesives, coatings, paints, films, and textiles, as
well as wire and cable insulation which in turn,
drives the market growth for glacial acetic acid. In
addition, glacial acetic acid is considered a major
raw material for the production of purified terepthalic
acid (PTA), which further finds application in the
packaging industry. The growth of the packaging
industry is anticipated to drive the market growth.
Asia- Pacific was the largest market for glacial
acetic acid, which is expected to grow, owing to the
increasing demand for the product from countries,
such as China, India, and Japan. The prospering
textile industry, owing to the exploding population in
the Asia-Pacific region, is expected to augment the
demand for glacial acetic acid. Furthermore, the
application of glacial acetic acid as a flavouring
agent in the food and beverage industry and
increasing demand for special foods and beverages
are expected to propel the glacial acetic acid
demand in the Asian region over the forecast
period. The global glacial acetic acid market is
fragmented with some major players dominating a
significant portion of the market. Some of the major
companies are Jubilant Life Sciences Limited,
Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical
Company, Daicel Corporation, and SABIC.
Original Source: Research and Markets, 2020. Found on Globe Newswire 15
DEC 2020.
Global building integrated
photovoltaics market (2020 to 2025)
The “Building Integrated Photovoltaics Market:
Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth,
Opportunity and Forecast 2020-2025” report has
been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The global building integrated photovoltaics market
grew at a CAGR of around 20% during 2014-2019.
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) refer to the
solar power generating components that are used in
constructing facades, roofs, and skylights in
buildings. The increasing demand for building
integrated photovoltaic materials can be attributed to
the rising integration of solar energy solutions in
commercial infrastructures for architectural
optimization and energy conservation. Moreover,
growing environmental concerns with non-renewable
resources, such as oil, coal, etc, have further
bolstered the demand for solar power generation.
Additionally, rapid modernization in the construction
and building sector along with the increasing focus
on clean energy has fuelled the demand for green or
zero- emission buildings. Furthermore, the growing
consumer awareness towards several ecological
benefits of BIPV has resulted in the rising adoption
of solar energy harnessing systems in the residential
sector. Apart from this, implementation of favourable
government policies supported by several initiatives
for promoting the need for reducing carbon footprints
have also catalyzed the demand for building-
integrated photovoltaics on a global level.
Furthermore, the increasing demand for BIPV
components in the developed regions, such as North
America and Europe, is primarily driven by the
supporting infrastructural developments in the form
of optimum grid-parity of photovoltaic solutions
supported by several financial incentives offered by
regional governments. On the other hand, several
emerging economies, such as India, China, Vietnam,
etc, are experiencing high product demand due to
the reduced solar installation costs and wide
availability of BIPV materials across these countries.