Clariant introduces ShiftMax® 120 HCF: New HTS catalyst with essentially no hexavalent chromium

Muttenz, September 12, 2014 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced today the launch of their new ShiftMax® 120 HCF catalyst. The enhanced high temperature shift (HTS) catalyst avoids health and safety risks in ammonia and hydrogen production as it contains essentially no hexavalent chromium (Cr6+). This was tested and confirmed by the independent institute, Seibersdorf Laboratories, according to OECD test#29. ShiftMax 120 HCF is thus fully compliant with REACH Regulations of the European Community (Annex XIV to EC No 1907/2006), which will inhibit the sale of compounds containing Cr6+ beyond a very low threshold.

Clariant’s high performance ShiftMax 120 HCF is the successor to ShiftMax 120, one of the most widely used HTS catalysts in the syngas industry with 30 years of proven performance in terms of activity and longevity. The new ShiftMax 120 HCF is practically identical to its predecessor after initial activation. It provides the same advantages with regard to low operating temperatures and CO leakages, excellent mechanical stability, especially during plant upsets, and long service life. It is also very effective in preventing Fischer-Tropsch byproduct formation when operating at low steam to gas conditions.

The key difference between the two catalysts is that the new production process reduces the content of hexavalent chromium to non-detectable levels (