New NaphthaMax® III FCC Catalyst Provides Best-in-Class Solution to Help Refiners Achieve Maximum Margins
ISELIN, NJ - BASF Catalysts today announced the commercial launch of NaphthaMax® III, the latest evolution of gas oil catalyst based on 10 years of commercial experience and success with BASF's Distributed Matrix Structure(TM) (DMS) technology platform. Successful commercial trials have demonstrated NaphthaMax III's ability to provide high bottoms conversion with low coke, and higher yields of valued gasoline and light olefin products when compared to existing technologies.
"While demand for oil products is expected to increase in the years ahead, the industry will be facing low utilization numbers as major new projects come on line, increasing refining capacity" said Deon Carter, Global Business Director, Refining Catalysts, for BASF Catalysts. "As a result, refiners are focused on optimizing their operations and utilizing best-in-class products to help maximize operating margins. We believe that world-class products such as NaphthaMax III can play a vital role in helping customers meet this challenge."
NaphthaMax III is the latest in a series of advanced Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) solutions from BASF, demonstrating the company's continuous commitment to innovation and quality. In 2008, BASF made a $30 million capital investment to update its manufacturing sites and drive targeted improvements in product quality and manufacturing capacity. This investment not only allowed debottlenecking of its manufacturing plants, but permitted the commercial manufacturing of NaphthaMax III with improved calcination procedures and improved rare earth exchange and consistency.
This new manufacturing process gives NaphthaMax III increased zeolite stability and coke selectivity, improved hydrothermal stability leading to higher unit activity, and increased gasoline yield from the FCC unit.
"NapthaMax III has successfully completed its commercial trial in a North American refinery, with additional commercial trials scheduled for the early part of 2010," said Fabian Florez, Global Marketing Manager, Refining Catalysts, for BASF Catalysts. "NaphthaMax III takes a step further the characteristics that have made NaphthaMax products the global leaders in the gas oil market, delivering unrivalled value to our refining industry customers."
For more information contact:
Joseph Jones
BASF Catalysts LLC
Tel: (732) 205-5557
E-mail: joseph.jones@basf.com
About BASF Catalysts division
BASF Catalysts division is the world's leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF Catalysts develops unique, proprietary catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive customer success.
About BASF
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than 50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
