Launch of Semi-commercial Production of Formaldehyde Synthesis Catalyst
Launch of Semi-commercial Production of Formaldehyde Synthesis Catalyst
In 2022, SKTB Katalizator JSC launched semi-commercial production of a new catalyst for formaldehyde synthesis.
Formaldehyde is one of the key chemical products playing strategic role nationwide (production volume in the Russian Federation ~ 3 million TPY). Formaldehyde is mostly used for manufacturing resins intended for production of molded wood products, construction materials, phenoplasts, aminoplastics and other composite materials, adhesives, lacquers, grinding materials. It is applied in the production of a number of starting compounds for other chemical industries and in pharmaceuticals.
In the late 1970-80s, SKTB of Catalysts produced a catalyst for formaldehyde synthesis. In the 90s, this catalyst went out of production.
Since 1990-2000s, all formaldehyde manufacturers applying metal oxide technology have been using foreign couterparts due to the lack of domestic analogue in the market.
Thus in 2018, SKTB Katalizator JSC reached a decision to create a state-of-art, competitive domestic catalyst of a new generation for formaldehyde synthesis based on previous experience. In the process of creating a new unique product, the company engaged an international expert, which delivered the benefits and success was not long in coming.
By the year 2022, SKTB Katalizator JSC launched a semi-commercial production of an iron-molybdenum catalyst, and also obtained a patent for invention No. 2775226 "Catalyst for the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and a method for its production" (Priority date 24.05.2021). Following the favourable decision to grant a Russian patent, the international application PCT/RU 2022/000150 was submitted.
In July 2022, designated key machine for the production of a new product was purchased – an industrial rotary tablet press, which allows automating the process of manufacturing the catalyst and increasing its production capacity. A pilot batch of iron-molybdenum catalyst will be produced by the end of 2022. The long term design capacity is up to 300 TPY (the catalyst consumption of the Russian manufacturers is 60-70 TPY), which would allow appoaching the foreign markets with new product.
The import substitution issue for formaldehyde production catalysts looms large at present, therefore SKTB Katalizator JSC will stand ready in the near future to offer a decent home-made capable solution replacing foreign counterparts.
In July 2022, designated key machine for the production of a new product was purchased – an industrial rotary tablet press, which allows automating the process of manufacturing the catalyst and increasing its production capacity. A pilot batch of iron-molybdenum catalyst will be produced by the end of 2022. The long term design capacity is up to 300 TPY (the catalyst consumption of the Russian manufacturers is 60-70 TPY), which would allow appoaching the foreign markets with new product.
The import substitution issue for formaldehyde production catalysts looms large at present, therefore SKTB Katalizator JSC will stand ready in the near future to offer a decent home-made capable solution replacing foreign counterparts.
