Catalytic reforming is one of the backbones for gasoline production. Reforming is also the most important source of aromatics for the petrochemical industry. For gasoline production, despite limitations in aromatics, reforming remains the key process in the refinery. Indeed it is also the main source of hydrogen and, due to the most stringent specification for sulphur in motor fuels, additional hydrogen is needed for hydrotreatment processing.

Thanks to its long experience in conventional fixed bed reformers, Axens has launched three new promoted bimetallic catalysts for semi-regen units. This series benefits from new manufacturing techniques, which ensure optimised interactions between the various components at the nanometer scale. Nano-scale product control results in improved synergies of the active species resulting in higher activity, selectivity and stability while retaining chloride retention properties.