| Johnson
Matthey announces that it has taken an equity stake
in Oy Smoptech AB as part of a phased acquisition of
the company. Smoptech, based in Turku, Finland, has
developed a range of advanced polymer fibres for use
as innovative supports for catalysts and in other chemical
process applications. Precious metals can be supported
on these fibres to produce heterogeneous process catalysts.
The fibres can also be used as a support for organometallic
complexes, including chiral complexes, combining the
performance and selectivity of homogeneous catalysts
with the ease of use of a heterogeneous material.
The combination of
Smoptech's polymer fibre technology with Johnson
Matthey's expertise in precious metal catalysis delivers
a new generation of catalysts. These fibre supported
catalysts can be used in the same way as traditional
heterogeneous catalysts and show equivalent or better
activity. They feature greater ease of use, faster
recycle rates and enhanced resistance to poisoning.
When used at lower loadings, or recycled more frequently,
the system offers significant cost benefits over
a conventional catalyst.
A limited range of
catalysts incorporating the new supports is now available
from Johnson Matthey. This product line will be expanded
in coming months to provide a whole new family of
performance catalysts.
Commenting on the
acquisition, Neil Carson, Managing Director, Catalysts
and Chemicals Division, said:
"This new technology
allows us to further develop our product range and
is another step in our strategy to provide a single
source of catalytic solutions for our speciality
chemicals and pharmaceutical customers".
|
Enquiries:
Johnson
Matthey
Martin
Green
Sales & Marketing Director, Europe
Tel: (+44) 1763 253032
Kevin Donegan
Sales & Marketing Director, US
Tel: (+1) 856 384 7103
Ian Godwin
Group Public Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8410
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