The global demand for environmentally friendly polymerization catalysts is increasing

Recently, S&P Global's latest Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP) "Catalysts, Petroleum and Chemical Processes" report reported that in 2021, the polymerization catalyst market was worth about $9.
8 billion, accounting for more than
half of the chemical catalyst market.
Among them, polyolefin catalysts are the major segment of the polymer catalyst market, with a market value of about $5 billion
.
As more customers seek greener, cleaner solutions, sustainability has become a major factor
influencing polymer catalyst production.

Catalyst manufacturer Grace said demand for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) catalysts was "healthy"
in the full year of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 due to high industry operating rates.
However, since then, driven by high inflation, slowing demand growth and the commissioning of new capacity, the operating rate has fallen to about 80%.

Laura Schwinn, president of Grace's specialty catalysts business, said: "We have seen macroeconomic changes since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, and catalyst demand has also changed
in end-use applications.
Currently, demand related to infrastructure and automotive end-use applications is slowing, but the demand for flexible and rigid packaging in e-commerce, medical, food, and industrial packaging applications is increasing
.
"Polyolefin demand is closely
related to GDP growth.
Overall catalyst demand is expected to keep pace
with GDP through next year.
Schwen said sustainability is a priority across the value chain and is currently a priority
in catalyst development.
"We meet the health needs of consumers by applying phthalate-free catalysts, and our portfolio of catalysts also enables low volatile organic compound and low extractables production
.
"

Lenka Richter, Polyolefin Product Manager, Clariant's Catalysts Division Lukesova said that market interest in Clariant's phthalate-free catalysts in 2022 is much higher than in previous years
.
Because end users want to eliminate phthalates
right from the raw material when producing plastics.
In addition to phthalate-free catalysts, more and more customers are looking for higher
catalyst activity.
By using a more active catalyst, such as PolyMax Series 600 non-phthalate olefin polymerization catalysts that increase yields while saving energy and reducing operating costs
.

Alain, Senior Vice President, Norion Polymer Specialty Chemicals Rynwalt said that while cost is still a major driver of customer demand, there is growing interest in
more sustainable solutions.
Rynwalt said customers are willing to pay for value-added solutions
.
More sustainable solutions are expected to bring more economic benefits
.
"An important development in the current market is the recycling of polymers, the application of which is growing rapidly, and we have developed solutions
to support our customers in the mechanical recycling of polyolefins.
We have also developed solutions that improve the performance of recycled materials, enabling recycled plastics to be used in more value-added applications
.
In addition, we investigate technical solutions
that support other types of recycling, including chemical recycling.
”

Nourion said the company is committed to a sustainable future
by constantly evolving and innovating to provide customers with more sustainable solutions.
Approximately 71% of the company's global R&D pipeline is focused on solutions with sustainable benefits, revolving around
polymer catalyst products.