Akzo Nobel launches breakthrough FCC technologies
Akzo Nobel launches breakthrough FCC technologies Arnhem, the Netherlands, March 16, 2000. - Akzo Nobel is launching innovative breakthrough Fluid Catalyst Cracking (FCC) technologies, JADE and TOPAZ, at its site in Pasadena, Texas, USA, reinforcing Akzo Nobel's strong leading position in Resid Processing and strengthening its position for other applications such as Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO). JADE is a novel Catalyst Assembly Technology developed from the traditional A-P-S FCC technologies currently used to manufacture catalysts in Amsterdam, Pasadena, and Santa Cruz (Brazil). With JADE, Akzo Nobel will improve the boundaries of activity and selectivity of those catalysts for Resid applications as well as strengthen its position in VGO applications. In addition, JADE offers opportunities to exploit its Very Low Emission (VLE) properties to meet future stringent environmental regulations. TOPAZ, a second breakthrough Catalyst Assembly Technology, has been developed from traditional Filtrol@ catalyst technology, which Akzo Nobel currently uses on its Los Angeles site. TOPAZ gives significant improvements in coke selectivity and bottoms conversion, offering excellent performance. These new Catalyst Assembly Technologies (JADE and TOPAZ) can now be employed in the same plant, offering the possibility of consolidating Akzo Nobel's operations at Pasadena. "We are delighted to be able to announce these exciting and innovative technologies, aimed at producing better products at lower cost. This strengthens our unique position as a complete refinery catalyst supplier", said Rudy M.J. van der Meer, Board Member responsible for Chemicals. "We are putting a lot of effort into establishing these technologies in Pasadena, demonstrating our long-term commitment to our customers and the Catalysts business", he added. JADE and TOPAZ have confirmed the excellent performance of their technologies in commercial trials with several of Akzo Nobel's key clients. Akzo Nobel Catalysts supplies top performance catalysts, technologies and related services to the oil refining and petrochemical industry. Together with our partners, we have leading positions in FCC, hydroprocessing, and other specialized areas.In 1999, sales for the Business Unit amounted to EUR 295 million. Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings, and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 1999, excluding Acordis, the former fibers business divested to CVC Capital Partners at the end of 1999, totaled some EUR 12 billion (USD 13 billion, GBP 8 billion). Excluding Acordis, the company employed 68,000 people in 75 countries at the end of 1999. Financial results for the first quarter of 2000 will be announced on April 25, 2000. Internet: http://www.akzonobel.com For more information please contact: Akzo Nobel N.V. I. R. C. (Ian) Cressie, Manager Corporate Communications Tel. +31 26 366 1864 FCC Catalysts - Americas A.J. (Toni) Ierubino, Marketing Manager Tel. +1 281 283 1530 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/16/20000316BIT00110/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/16/20000316BIT00110/bit0002.pdf