Chemical Catalyst Producers Continue to Enjoy Strong Demand and Invest in the Future

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--For many years, catalyst producers have enjoyed tremendous demand and market growth thanks mostly to the robust Petroleum Refining Industry. During the last several years, producers of polyethylene, polypropylene and others have increased capacity or operating rates, providing an even greater market opportunity for catalyst producers. The market potential both domestically and especially in international markets appears to have a very positive outlook. There are nearly 50 plants operating in the United States and Canada producing a variety of chemical catalysts with several large expansions tentatively planned for the coming two years.

The most notable and largest expansion in the short-term is that of Criterion Catalyst & Technologies LP (Houston, Texas). Criterion is preparing to begin construction of a major hydrotreating catalyst unit addition estimated at $200 million at its Port Allen, Louisiana, plant early next year, nicknamed the WOSCAT project. S&B Engineers & Constructors Limited (Houston) and Ford Bacon & Davis LLC (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) are providing engineering, procurement and management services for the project, which is expected to begin construction early next year. Criterion is expecting these same firms to complete an estimated $60 million retrofit of the alumina unit at this site by summer 2008 that began construction this year. The new capacity from these expansions is expected to serve the continued increase in hydrotreating capacity planned by domestic refiners in the coming years. For details, see related November 28, 2007, article - North American Petroleum Refining Industry to See Continual Increase in Projects Involving Hydrotreater Units.

Catalyst producers are found just as geographically diverse as their end-users with plant locations in more than 20 states employing nearly 6,000 people. Their uses cover a broad number of chemistry applications and demands in the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Refining and Oil & Gas industries, as well as in others. Each of these industries continues to perform strong, encouraging and driving catalyst producers to move ahead with investment plans.

BASF Catalyst LLC (Iselin, New Jersey) is considering expansion or upgrades of two catalyst plants, one in Huntsville, Alabama, and the other in Attapulgus, Georgia. These projects combined have a total investment value estimated at more than $15 million. These expansions are just a small example of the confidence currently seen in this market segment moving forward.

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