Hydrotreating

Hydrotreating catalyst

Growth in hydro-treating catalysts is fueling demand for aluminas and is prompting several catalyst producers to back integrate and expand their own alumina capacities.

Behind the escalating demand for hydrotreating catalysts are more stringent environmental regulations in Europe and the U.S. that require reductions in the sulfur content of diesel and gasoline. "Most people in this business are looking for better control of properties," says Robert Christie, business director for Mallinckrodt Chemical's Calsicat division. He says the key to producing ultrahigh-performance catalysts used in hydrotreating and other markets is strict control of alumina surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and alumina purity.