- Two iron-molybdenum formaldehyde plants (100 kt/a Inner Mongolia; 120 kt/a Hubei) were commissioned — Inner Mongolia started in March 2026, Hubei in November 2025.
- Clariant supplied FAMAX catalysts integrated with Wuxi Xiyuan process technology for Yihua Group to feed downstream pentaerythritol units (Yihua pentaerythritol capacity ~70 kt/a).
- FAMAX delivers 10–15% lower pressure drop, improved low-temperature activity for higher formaldehyde yields and extended catalyst life, while EnviCat off-gas catalysts achieve ~99% VOC conversion.
Project overview
Two iron-molybdenum formaldehyde plants—100 kt/a (Inner Mongolia, started March 2026) and 120 kt/a (Hubei, commissioned November 2025)—supply feedstock to downstream pentaerythritol units and support Yihua Group's pentaerythritol capacity (~70 kt/a).
Catalyst performance
Clariant's FAMAX catalysts delivered 10–15% reduced pressure drop, improved low-temperature activity, higher formaldehyde yields and extended catalyst lifetime; the catalyst shape and composition enable operation at lower cooling-medium and hotspot temperatures, increasing selectivity and reducing by-products and allowing potential reactor capital-cost optimization.
Integration
FAMAX was integrated with process technology from Wuxi Xiyuan Engineering to enable large-scale formaldehyde production feeding pentaerythritol units.
Emissions control
EnviCat off-gas catalysts were selected for VOC removal, achieving conversion efficiencies around 99% while operating at temperatures up to 400°C, which reduces fuel consumption and equipment stress.
