Axens will acquire the 50 per cent ownership stake in Eurecat SA currently held by Ketjen, a subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, making Axens the sole owner of Eurecat. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, also includes Ketjen's isomerization catalysts business.

While Ketjen will sell its stake, the deal includes a long-term collaboration agreement that will continue the partnership between the companies on specific catalyst technologies and services.

Eurecat is a world-leading services provider of regeneration, rejuvenation, recycling of spent catalysts along with ex-situ activation of fresh catalysts. Post-acquisition, Eurecat will continue serving the entire market, all operators, and all catalysts manufacturers, and will collaborate with Ketjen on advanced catalyst technologies as part of this long-term agreement.

“As a result of these agreements, Ketjen’s relationship and collaboration with Eurecat will continue into the future. Our clients can expect Ketjen to continue to provide advanced FCC and HPC catalyst solutions for refinery applications, along with ongoing collaboration with Eurecat in regeneration, rejuvenation, ex-situ sulfiding, and spent catalyst processing,” said Michael J. Simmons, President of Ketjen.

“Through this acquisition, Axens intends to further advance catalyst circularity and ex situ activation on all catalysts, while also initiating new initiatives focused on reducing the carbon footprint in catalyst management and activation,” said Quentin Debuisschert, Chairman & CEO of Axens.