50-millionth emissions control catalyst for BASF in PE

The local group's portfolio includes chemicals, plastics, coatings, dispersions, agricultural products and nutrition. The company pioneered the development of the first catalytic converters on 1975-model cars. A year later it introduced the modern three-way-catalyst, which is capable of destroying more than 90% of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by car engines.

Since then, says the company, BASF's three-way-catalyst technology has, on a global basis, destroyed more than a billion tons of HC, CO and NOx. "The 50-million catalysts we have produced in Port Elizabeth have removed more than 35-million tons of pollutants from vehicles around the world," BASF South Africa mobile emissions catalysts plant site director Dr Mike Tribelhorn, told Engineering News. Catalytic converters make up around 50% of South African vehicle component exports. Exports of the emission control component increased 21% in 2010 over 2009. Total component exports from South Africa were up an estimated 12% in 2010, reaching R30-billion.

Read the full article on www.engineeringnews.co.za.