Akzo Refinery Catalysts

Global M A activity in the chemical industry peaked during 1998 and 1999 at about EUR 100 billion p.a., reflecting the equity markets support of such transactions. The market s focus on cost restructuring later led to a fall in M A to an annual volume of about EUR 15-25 billion. Recent industrial buyer-driven transactions in chemicals include Lubrizol s acquisition of Noveon in June 2004, Cytec s acquisition of Surface Specialties from UCB in early 2005, and Albemarle s acquisition of Akzo Refinery Catalysts in August 2004. 

M. Bourgogne., Catalytic Cracking of Residues Feedstocks at Total Flanders Refinery, Akzo Nobel Catalyst Symposium 1994, p 121. 

Albemarle s combined net sales rose from US 941 M in 2000 to US 1110 M in 2003, despite very difficult trading conditions. Net income fell in the same period from US 102 M to US 72 M, and long-term debt rose from US 97 M to US 228 M These figures are partly explained by the fact that several acquisitions have been made. They included Akzo Nobel s refinery catalysts, the Korean distributor Taerim, Arkema s fine chemicals bromine business, Rhodia s phosphorus based flame retardants business for polyurethanes, the fuel and lubricant antioxidants business of Ethyl, the fine chemicals business of ChemEirst, and Martinswerk. 

Net sales at Albemarle for the third quarter ending September 30, 2004 nevertheless included consequences of the acquisition of a refinery catalysts business fiom Akzo Nobel, which only partly explains why sales rose to 413.9 M from 276.6 M for the same quarter of 2003. 

SCANfining A selective catalytic hydrotreating process for reducing the sulfur content of naphtha. Developed by ExxonMobil and Albemarle. The catalyst, developed by ExxonMobil and Akzo Nobel, contains cobalt and molybdenum. The key feature is its prevention of the mercaptans reversion reaction — the formation of mercaptans from olefins and hydrogen sulfide. The process also minimizes olefin saturation and hydrogen loss. To be used at the Bazan Oil Refinery, Israel, from 2001, and at the Statoil refinery at Mongstad, Norway. Also planned for use in the Williams refinery in Memphis, TN. 

Fina developed the technology which was practiced in their own refineries before they decided to license it in cooperation with Akzo Nobel to other companies. Akzo Nobel has successfully marketed the technology with eleven licenses sold today in Europe, North America and Japan. The process scheme is identical to typical hydrotreating units. Process conditions are similar to what is practiced in LGO or VGO hydrotreating or mild hydrocracking units. Catalysts applied in the process are only available under license. 

As expected many new catalysts have been commercialized for light feed hydrodesulfurization. Nearly all catalyst manufacturers are active in this segment. At the end of the eighties Akzo Nobel introduced Ketjenfine 752 which until recently was the most active diesel HDS catalyst with sales of over 15.000 tons. A few catalyst manufacturers recently introduced catalysts with a performance in a range similar to that of Ketjenfine 752. Early this year Akzo Nobel introduced Ketjenfine 756. This catalyst was developed in cooperation with Exxon and successfully used as RT 601 in several units in Exxon refineries and DODD units. Ketjenfine 756 is most probably the highest activity commercially applied diesel HDS catalyst today. 

---