Decarbonisation Technology - May 2024 Issue

Re f erence Zeopore

5x less

~5˚C less

Cold ow properties improvement / ˚C 10 30 20

Relative reactor temperature / ˚C 10 20

Figure 1 Zeopore zeolite selectivity and activity vs reference (parent)

press release: ‘Catalytic dewaxing: Zeopore reaches 30°C cloud point improvement with diesel yield loss under 2 wt%’ (bit.ly/3wbtPGG) Recently, Zeopore has been approached by leading biofuel manufacturing companies and related process developers. For these customers, we defined the optimum catalyst properties for specific sustainable diesel and jet fuel applications, tuned zeolite mesoporisation accordingly, and already scaled up to pilot volumes. Our product is being performance tested by the customer, and preliminary results are convincing. Advanced chemical plastic waste recycling Currently, Europe collects roughly 30 million tons of post- consumption plastics, with 65% going to landfill or energy recovery. This amount will increase with recycling targets stipulating 50% in 2025 and 55% in 2030. Chemical recycling is one of the most powerful answers to meeting those challenging targets. Mesoporous zeolites offer chemical recycling the potential to revolutionise hard-to-recycle plastic waste streams. These deliver value in improving the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. Here, Zeopore demonstrated that mesoporous faujasite and ZSM-5-based zeolite catalysts improve the overall efficiency of the process, yielding order-of-magnitude activity improvements over conventional zeolites. In the workup of pyoil and pygas into propylene and aromatics, respectively, Zeopore is pioneering in further developments and has already demonstrated its ability to boost conversion rates while significantly steering the product slate towards the most valuable fractions. This is unique because, with both reactions, the role of zeolites is much less established at an industrial scale due to the presence of bulky plastic polymer chains. Zeopore is currently active on all three mentioned reactions as part of commercial projects for leading plastic recycling companies. This illustrates that Zeopore actively contributes to developing more efficient processes for gaining high-value products from chemical plastic waste recycling. Its technology toolbox allows for introducing significant levels of mesoporosity without losing intrinsic properties, such as microporosity and acidity. In addition,

it can tailor its zeolites to act as scavengers for common poisons, hereby ensuring an economic catalyst lifetime. Carbon capture via upgrading intermediate base chemicals (e.g. green methanol) Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) deployment is rising with a total annual capture capacity of over 45 Mt CO 2 , delivering huge amounts of green methanol, for example. However, the pipeline of current projects is only around a third of what is required in the net zero scenario for 2030. Downward routes for green methanol benefit greatly from the utilisation of mesoporous zeolites: enhanced catalytic activity, improved selectivity, and reduced environmental impact. Zeopore’s mesoporous zeolite materials facilitate a more efficient and sustainable pathway for transforming base chemicals (such as methanol) into valuable fuels and chemicals. The catalytic methanol-to-olefins (MTO) conversion process delivers ethylene and propylene. Further downstream, these olefins serve as input for deriving polyolefins, from which many plastic materials are produced. Zeolite mesoporisation allows for boosting the economics of MTO conversion. When applied to standard off-the- shelf ZSM-5 zeolite, Zeopore enables porosity and acidity tuning, as well as in-situ metal additive inclusion and a higher metal dispersion. Next to the expected catalyst lifetime multiplication, the results show strongly increased propylene selectivity in a single pass, increasing productivity by 15-25%, depending on process conditions ( Figure 2 ). By meticulously tuning the porosity and other zeolitic properties, Zeopore can steer selectivity towards desired fractions and improve catalyst stability for each specific MTO process. Refer to press release: ‘Zeopore yields 20% profitability increase in the growing worldwide methanol- to-olefins market’ (bit.ly/48fBBg6) Currently, Zeopore is promoting its proven added value in the market. We are engaging with a leading European manufacturer in several mesoporised zeolite product deliveries, which are being tested by the customer. Further business development is ongoing since this market is heavily dominated by China.