OleMax® 260 is a new generation selective acetylene hydrogenation catalyst designed for ethylene production using front-end process configurations. While OleMax series catalysts have been proven in commercial operation for decades, the new catalyst offers ultra-high selectivity for acetylene hydrogenation yet virtually no reactivity with ethylene. This maximizes product yields while minimizing energy and raw material consumption.Moreover, the promoted-palladium catalyst all but eliminates the risk of runaways by pushing runaway temperature far beyond standard operating temperature. The exceptional selectivity and consequent stability of OleMax 260 ensures reliable, on-specification performance over an unprecedentedly wide operating range, even at the extremely low CO levels typical of new cracking furnace technologies.