CHIMET Spa "Catalysts Division" has been a supplier of Precious Metals Heterogeneous Catalysts (Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru) for more than 15 years. These catalysts are widely used in chemical processes ranging from gas-phase oxidation of VOCs through liquid-phase hydrogenation of terephthalic acid (to PTA) to highly selected hydrogenation of intermediates in pharmaceutical processes.

The most extensively used precious metals catalysts are Pt and Pd supported on activated carbon or alumina. However, metals like Ru and Rh as well as other supports such as barium sulfate, calcium carbonate and others, are also available.

CHIMET Spa can offer precious metal catalysts in different metal contents, various particle sizes and in dry or wet forms.

CHIMET Spa catalysts can be divided into five groups:

1) Catalysts for hydrogenation of organic intermediates:

Pd . . 0.1 - 15 % (on carbon powder).
0.1 - 1 % (on carbon extrudates)
1.0 - 5 % (on BaSO4 powder)
1.0 - 5 % (on CaCO3 powder)
1.0 - 5 % (on alumina powder)
Pt . . 0.1 - 10 % (on carbon powder)
1.0 - 5 % (on alumina powder)
Rh . . 0 .1- 5 % (on carbon powder)
1.0 - 5% (on alumina powder)
Ru . . 0 .1- 5 % (on carbon powder)
1.0 - 5% (on alumina powder)

2) Catalyst for the purification of terephthalic acid

Pd . . . . . 0.5% (on carbon granulates)

3) Catalyst for the synthesis of H₂O₂

Pd . . . . . 2.0% (on silico-alumina powder)

4) Catalysts for VOCs abatement

Pd . . . . . 0.3 - 0.5 % (on alumina spheres)
Pt . . . . . 0.1 - 0.3 % (on alumina spheres)

Upon request, CHIMET Spa can produce any catalyst having special precious metals loading. Custom-made catalysts (with exclusive rights) can also be produced under secrecy agreement.

5) Precious metals salts and oxides as catalysts

Today, many precious metals salts and oxides are used as catalysts. CHIMET Spa is able to supply several of them, the following being amongst those more frequently produced:

Pd . . . . . acetate, chloride, oxide
Pt . . . . . Adams oxide, Aurum oxide, chloroplatinic acid, potassium tetrachloride
Rh . . . . . chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) as Wilkinson's catalyst, trichloride
Ru . . . . . oxyde, trichloride

CHIMET Spa ensures product quality according to ISO 9002 rules. Technical assistance to help customers to solve any problems, arising during catalyst use in industrial plants, is promptly given by CHIMET Spa specialists.

CHIMET Spa has a Catalyst Characterization System, consisting of more than 30 different chemical, physical and catalytic tests. This extensive set of tests is available to any customer requiring analysis or comparison of commercial catalysts.

Refining and recovery of precious metals from spent catalysts

CHIMET Spa, being one of the leading chemical-metallurgical companies in Europe, recovers and refines precious metals from spent catalysts, and the precious metals are then re-worked into new catalysts. Yield on recovery and time on return of the precious metals as fresh catalysts are the best available in the field, CHIMET Spa being equipped with all the necessary advanced technologies.

The personnel of CHIMET Spa customers are encouraged to be present at the recovery operations involved.