Clariant, a specialty chemical company focusing on sustainability, has reached a significant milestone today, celebrating one year of successful operation of its innovative OleMax 260 catalyst at EQUATE Petrochemical Company’s large-scale steam cracker in Kuwait.

Source: Clariant

EQUATE has set a precedent in the Middle East by being the first ethylene producer to implement the OleMax 260 catalyst for acetylene selective hydrogenation. With new steam cracker projects boosting capacity in the region, the smooth launch and effective operations in Kuwait highlight the importance of advanced catalysts in minimizing risks and enhancing performance in this sector.

Introduced by Clariant in 2016, the groundbreaking OleMax 260 catalyst is being rapidly embraced by ethylene producers worldwide to tackle enduring operational challenges linked to ‘front-end’ plant setups. This innovative catalyst offers a breakthrough for plants facing issues with start-ups and operations, significantly reducing the risks of thermal runaway reactions, unforeseen downtimes, and flaring incidents. By delivering outstanding selectivity and stability even under low CO conditions, OleMax 260 enables plant operators to enhance productivity, profitability, safety, and sustainability.