Catalyst plant opens

Catalyst plant opens

SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asia's first plant to manufacture petroleum refinery catalysts, used in the removal of chemical impurities from oils, opened in Singapore yesterday.

The plant is a joint venture between CRI International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Shell group, and the Criterion Catalyst company. Both partners are based in Houston in the United States.

Dave Wood, managing director of the joint-venture company CRI/Criterion Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., said the plant would help meet the growing needs of refiners in Singapore and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The plant represents a significant commitment by Criterion and CRI in the Asia-Pacific region," he said in a statement announcing the completion and start-up of the plant.

R.F. Schimbor, president of CRI International, said the plant was the first step in his company's strategic plan to supply products and services to the Asia-Pacific.