IPCL gets US patent for catalytic process

The Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (IPCL) has enriched its intellectual by getting the US patent for its selectivated metallosilicate catalyst composite for hydrocarbon conversion.

The company already has over six dozens patents to its credit, including the development of commercial bimetallic reforming and the new generation xylene isomerisation catalyst 'Encilte', said the company pin a statement realesed here today.

The heart of the process is zeolite-based proprietary catalyst. The catalyst and the process have been developed after rigorous research at IPCL.

The invention relates to the development of catalyst and process for alkylation of toluene by methanol to produce para-xylene selectivity by employing selectively activated metallosilicate zeolite catalyst.

The process for production para-xylene developed by IPCL is less complex, efficient, economical and environment friendly, the statement said.

With this patent, IPCL joins club of MNC companies such as UOP, Exxon-Mobil, and IFP amongst others. It is a significant step in para-xylene business as the process is quite competitive compared to the existing commercial processes being deployed world wide, the statement said.

The company has already joined hands with GTC Technology Ltd of the US for pilot plant trials and commercialisation of process for methylation of toluene for production of para-xylene.

IPCL produces over one and half million tonne of merchant products and has achieved a net turnover of Rs 8,098 crore and net profit of Rs 273 crore during the financial year 2003-2004.