- Clariant's CATOFIN® catalyst and Lumms process technology will be used in Fujian Meide's propane dehydrogenation (PDH) production unit in Fuzhou with an annual output of 900,000 tons of propylene
- This project highlights the industry's need for catalysts and technological innovation to achieve higher return on investment than in the past with larger scale PDH units. To date, CATOFIN is the only PDH technology that has been successfully commercialized at this scale
- The project will be the second PDH plant in Fujian Midea and one of the largest in the world
Shanghai, China / Munich, Germany, May 30, 2020
Clariant and its process partner Lummus have recently signed a major contract with Fujian Midea to supply CATOFIN technology and catalysts for a new world-class propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant in Fuzhou, China. The first-phase PDH plant of Fujian Meide has been put into operation in its Fuzhou plant, and one of the largest PDH plants in the world is currently being built. The plant adopts CATOFIN process and catalyst, and produces 900,000 tons of special propylene for further production of polypropylene. The new PDH unit is scheduled to start production in 2023.

Clariant's CATOFIN catalyst tailored to the CATOFIN propylene production process
Jace Wang, Vice President of Clariant's Catalysts Business Greater China, said: "This strategic partnership reflects Clariant's commitment to driving product innovation through pioneering chemistry, as our Heating Materials (HGM), which Combined with the latest process technology from Lummus, the energy consumption of the CATOFIN process has been reduced by one-third, making it a low-carbon technology for propylene production.”
Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus, added: “We have worked closely with Clariant over the years to continuously improve the CATOFIN process technology for the benefit of our customers. By being able to operate above design capacity (up to 110% of design capacity on average), producers have significantly improved return on investment and higher daily operating profit margins. CATOFIN has therefore become the leading technology for propylene production.”
Zheng Zhaohui, chairman of Fujian Meide Petrochemical Co., Ltd., said: "Our second PDH plant has an annual capacity of 900,000 tons, which will be among the largest plants in the world. CATOFIN is the only successful commercialization verification at this scale so far. PDH technology. We need superior performance and CATOFIN is our first choice because it is recognized as one of the most advanced solutions in the PDH industry. Clariant and Lummus have proven to be our best A great partner.”
The CATOFIN process combines Lummus' advanced technology with Clariant's customized catalysts and heat generating materials (HGMs) to convert propane to propylene with extreme reliability. Since its commercial operation in 2017, CATOFIN has been adopted by 34 new projects around the world, adding more than 24 million tonnes of new propylene capacity per year. More than 50% of these installations are located in China.
Fujian Meide Petrochemical Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhongjing Petrochemical Group, headquartered in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. The main business of Zhongjing Petrochemical Group involves energy, petrochemical, logistics and packaging industries. It is the largest biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) manufacturer in China. 4 million tons.