Clariant to supply catalysts to world’s largest PDH unit in China

Swiss chemical firm Clariant has announced it has been awarded a contract by Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical Co., Ltd. (ZPC) to supply its Catofin catalyst and Heat Generating Material (HGM) for a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit in Zhejiang Province, China. With a nameplate capacity of 1.2 million tonnes/year, the unit will be the world’s largest licensed PDH unit.

At the heart of this technology is a close collaboration between Lummus, who brings the process expertise, and Clariant, who supplies the catalyst innovation. The result is an offering that gives operators what they need most: strong propylene output, outstanding performance, and competitive costs, the firms add.

The propylene produced at the new unit will feed into the production of high-value petrochemical derivatives, supported by additional propane feedstock made available through ZPC’s ongoing upstream refinery expansions.

“ZPC’s decision to entrust Lummus with the largest PDH unit ever built speaks to the proven performance of Catofin technology and the depth of our partnership,” said Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer, Lummus Technology.

Since 2017, Catofin has been selected for several new PDH awards globally, representing more than 40 projects around the world.