Clariant’s CATOFIN™ catalyst continues delivering stable, high-efficiency performance at Ningxia Runfeng’s PDH plant, strengthening propylene production and operational competitiveness.
Clariant, a global specialty chemicals company with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, has announced the continued high-level performance of its advanced CATOFIN™ catalyst and heat-generating material (HGM) at Ningxia Runfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd.’s propane dehydrogenation (PDH) facility. The announcement underscores the long-term reliability and efficiency of Clariant’s catalyst technology in demanding industrial applications.
The PDH unit is located within the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base in Yinchuan, Ningxia, one of China’s strategically important industrial zones. Designed with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons of Propylene, the plant employs the CATOFIN PDH process in combination with a catalyst system specifically engineered by Clariant to meet the site’s operational requirements. Since its initial commissioning in 2021, the facility has demonstrated consistent, stable, and dependable performance, reinforcing the robustness of the CATOFIN solution.
A key milestone was achieved in August 2025, when the Ningxia Runfeng PDH unit successfully completed a restart using CATOFIN catalysts once again. Following the restart, the plant has continued to operate smoothly and efficiently, delivering excellent results across all major performance indicators. These outcomes highlight the catalyst’s ability to maintain high activity, stability, and selectivity over extended operating cycles, even under rigorous production conditions.
Jace Wang, Global Vice President of Propylene within Clariant’s Business Unit Catalysts, emphasized the importance of this achievement. He noted that Clariant is proud to continue supporting Ningxia Runfeng with its innovative catalyst solutions. According to Wang, the strong operational results not only reflect the superior quality and engineering of the CATOFIN catalyst system, but also demonstrate the effectiveness of the close cooperation between Clariant’s technical experts and Ningxia Runfeng’s operations team. He specifically acknowledged the professionalism and operational excellence of the plant’s personnel as a critical factor in achieving sustained high performance.
A representative from Ningxia Runfeng echoed these sentiments, stating that Clariant’s CATOFIN catalyst fully satisfies the company’s requirements for efficient, stable, and competitive plant operation. The spokesperson highlighted that the catalyst system has enabled the company to achieve outstanding process performance, enhance overall operational competitiveness, and strengthen its position within the propylene market. Looking ahead, Ningxia Runfeng expressed optimism about continuing its Collaboration with Clariant to deliver even stronger results in the future.
The CATOFIN technology platform integrates Lummus Technology’s advanced PDH process with Clariant’s customized CATOFIN catalyst and proprietary heat-generating material. Together, these components enable the efficient conversion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas into on-purpose olefins, particularly propylene. The technology is widely recognized for its exceptional reliability, high productivity, and economic advantages, offering producers improved returns on investment and increased daily operating profitability.
Globally, CATOFIN technology has seen widespread adoption. Since 2017, it has been selected for 45 new PDH projects, collectively adding more than 30 million tons of propylene production capacity worldwide. Notably, over 60 percent of these installations are located in China, reflecting the country’s strong demand for propylene and its emphasis on advanced Petrochemical technologies.
The Ningxia Runfeng PDH facility holds particular significance as the first PDH project to be commissioned in Northwest China. Its successful operation represents a major milestone for the region, injecting new momentum into China’s Coal-chemical industrial base and supporting the diversification of the local petrochemical sector. As a model project, it demonstrates how advanced catalyst technology and well-integrated process design can drive efficient, reliable, and sustainable petrochemical production.
