ISELIN, NJ, March 9, 2010 – BASF Catalysts today announced the commercial launch of Stamina™, a proprietary new Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst designed for resid feedstocks based on BASF’s novel Proximal Stable Matrix and Zeolite (Prox-SMZ) technology platform. Successful commercial trials place Stamina as a game changer, providing users with measurable improvements in bottoms upgrading, light cycle oil quality and output, while preserving low coke yields when compared to existing technologies.

With long-term global fuel demand expected to show a strong preference for diesel over gasoline, and feed quality gradually degrading, refinery FCC units will increasingly be challenged to maximize middle distillates in an effort to optimize refining margins.  Stamina, the second commercial release under BASF’s Prox-SMZ technology platform, is strategically aimed to address the challenges faced by refiners looking to maximize diesel output with contaminated resid feeds

The Prox-SMZ technology platform is the result of a concerted R&D effort dedicated to the development of a new technology platform for FCC catalyst to provide a significant increase in matrix activity without negatively affecting coke yield. Prox-SMZ was introduced into the market in 2008 with HDXtra, a catalyst designed for distillate maximization in Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO)-fed FCC units.  After the successful launch of HDXtra, BASF’s R&D efforts focused on applying the Prox-SMZ technology for resid applications with high contaminant level.

“Cornerstones of this R&D effort were to create a catalyst that had increased porosity to handle heavier resid feeds and incorporate BASF’s metals passivation technologies to minimize the impact of contaminant metals,” said Deon Carter, Global Business Director, Refining Catalysts. 

“Stamina has successfully completed its commercial trial in a North American refinery, with commercial trials scheduled for the early part of 2010 in Europe and Asia,” said Fabian Florez, Global Marketing Manager, Refining Catalysts. “We are very excited about the performance of this catalyst and the increased value it will bring to our refinery customers around the world.”

About BASF’s Catalyst division

BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF Catalysts develops unique, proprietary catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive customer success. 

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.