According to the latest American chemical news, one of the renowned names in the catalyst technologies, Albemarle Corporation has opened a new laboratory facility and expanded applications capabilities at its Process Development Center (PDC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the United States. The facility spreading in an area of 5,400 square feet was conceived and designed to meet the R&D efforts of Albemarle's polyolefin catalyst portfolio.

According to the director of the Albemarle catalyst, Peggy Matherne there was an ever growing demand of catalyst technologies in the region and viewing the growing demand we have decided to start and initiate a catalyst R&D facility in Baton Rouge. The experts are very sure that it will help the state fulfill the requirements that the state is demanding in the catalyst technology sector. The company is also looking forward to invest in expansion and enhanced capabilities at the mentioned facility.

While briefing to media persons and industry experts the director of the company also said the facility will have eight new and different chemical synthesis stations that will be helping the company in its endeavor of producing efficient and potent catalysts. The director and other professionals are of the opinion that the facility will proved to be instrumental in the achieving the goal that they have benchmarked. In addition to the said Albemarle facility the company has also initiated a new Parallel Polymerization Reactor (PPR) system at the PDC to help its R&D team in the discovery, development and commercialization of polyolefin catalysts.

With this facility the company can expect a considerable decrease in time-to-market for their cutting-edge catalysts systems that are specifically designed to meet the need of the consumers and customers in the field of chemical and petrochemical industry. According to the company the new PPR system that is going to be started will accelerate the optimization of new polyolefin catalysts that are critical to the survival of the industry. As a part to upgrade the PDC process the company will also expand its High Throughput Lab and Polymer lab which is currently offering a combination of laboratory synthesis and analysis, commercial scale-up, product development and pilot plan and full-scale manufacturing of these products.

However, the growing completion in the field, exit rate of employees and uncertain economy may pose some threats that are needed to be addressed by the company. According to the company it is prepared to meet all those challenges and their endeavor will definitely help them materialize their ideas in practice.