Page 188 - CW E-Magazine (19-11-2024)

Interview Interview

DR. MAURITS VAN TOL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE – CATALYST TECHNOLOGIES, JOHNSON MATTHEY global expertise and tailoring our tech- emissions in fuel production and the The lack of close industry-academia
nologies to local market needs, we offer chemical industry. interactions in the Indian chemical
“We see India as a critical partner in the journey to a level of fl exibility and innovation that industry is often lamented. Does JM
is central to our commitment to sustain- For instance, our involvement in have a structured plan to develop
net zero given its capacity to lead in sustainable able growth. large-scale SAF projects globally high- and sustain collaboration with exter-
lights our leadership in low-carbon nal agencies here?
fuel production and hydrogen technology” What role do you see for India in the de- technologies. Our HyCOgen and FT
velopment of low-carbon technologies? CANS Fischer-Tropsch technology are Recognising the importance of
ohnson Matthey (JM), the UK- Excerpts from the interview: from automotive emissions control to How is JM looking to catalyse this? central to SAF production, which can bridging the gap between academia and
based sustainable technologies chemical catalysis, providing solutions also be adapted to India’s agricultural industry, JM is committed to fostering
Jfi rm with over 200 years of history What will be the key focus of the that help reduce emissions and improve India’s role in the development of residue feedstocks, advancing local and collaboration with Indian academic
in building expertise in metals chemis- recently-opened Mumbai Engineering sustainability. low-carbon technologies is both strate- export markets. institutions and research agencies. We
try, catalysis and process engineering, Centre? gic and essential. As one of the world’s aim to build structured programmes
recently opened an Engineering Centre Our recent performance in India fastest-growing economies with an What kind of challenges do you face that integrate local R&D initiatives
in Mumbai. The recently inaugurated Johnson has been strong, refl ecting our focus on expanding chemical industry, India in your businesses? with our global technology platforms.
Matthey (JM) Engineering Centre in growth in sustainable technologies and has a unique opportunity to contribute Through such partnerships, we hope to
The centre is seeking to tap into Mumbai signifi es our strategic commit- an increase in demand for our catalyst signifi cantly to global decarbonisation. In the pursuit of clean technology cultivate the next generation of engi-
India’s vast engineering talent to boost ment to India and to advancing sustain- solutions, particularly in the areas of We see India as a critical partner in the solutions, challenges such as securing neers and researchers, ensuring a robust
JM’s capacity to deliver projects for its able technologies. The centre’s primary clean fuels and chemical manufacturing. journey to net zero, particularly given reliable feedstock supply, scaling re- talent pipeline for the Indian chemical
customers across its core licensing busi- focus will be on low-carbon technolo- the country’s capacity to lead in sus- newable infrastructure, and navigating industry and accelerating the pace of
ness and new growth areas in hydrogen, gies such as hydrogen, sustainable The new Engineering Centre will tainable fuel production and hydrogen complex regulatory environments are innovation.
sustainable fuels, and chemicals. aviation fuel (SAF), and e-methanol, enable us to offer more specialised technology. prevalent.
designed to support both India’s and local support, while accelerating the Your assessment of the developments
global decarbonisation goals. Leverag- delivery of projects across India and JM is catalysing this transition In India, as globally, the lack of suf- in the Indian chemicals industry.
ing India’s renowned engineering tal- internationally. through our Engineering Centre in fi cient infrastructure for carbon capture What kind of role do you expect the
ent, the centre will drive innovation in Mumbai, which will focus on technolo- and storage (CCS) and the high capital government to play in ensuring sus-
sectors critical to reducing emissions, In general, what are the key dyna- gies that enable lower carbon emissions intensity of projects can delay imple- tainable growth of the industry?
such as fuel, power generation, and mics of the business segments that in challenging sectors. Our initiatives mentation. However, with our robust
hard-to-abate industries. JM is seeking to serve in India? How align with India’s ambition to expand partnerships and proven technology India’s chemicals industry is posi-
do you differentiate yourself from its renewable energy capacity and platforms, we are well-positioned to tioned for robust growth, driven by
There are plans to expand employ- your competitors? advance carbon reduction strategies, support project delivery while continu- rising domestic consumption, techno-
ment for hundreds of skilled profes- supporting its long-term sustainability ing to advocate for supportive regula- logical innovation, and policy support.
sionals over the coming years at the India’s rapid economic growth, cou- objectives. tory frameworks. The “Make in India” initiative has cre-
new facility. This aligns with India’s pled with its ambitious decarbonisation ated a favourable environment for local
target of reaching net zero by 2070 and targets, creates a fertile landscape for Can you tell us about some of the What kind of investments do you manufacturing, while the government’s
Dr. Maurits van Tol, Chief Exe- refl ects our intent to support India’s innovations in the chemical, energy, key successes of JM technologies foresee your company making in this emphasis on sustainability has placed
cutive of Catalyst Technologies and energy transition by deploying a broad and transport sectors. JM is committed that have advanced decarbonisation country in the next few years? decarbonisation high on the industry’s
member of the Executive Committee of spectrum of sustainable technology to these critical areas, focusing on efforts in the chemical industry in agenda.
Johnson Matthey, was in Mumbai for solutions. hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and catalytic India and globally? We anticipate a sustained investment
the centre’s inauguration. Dr. van Tol solutions that support low-carbon pro- in India over the coming years, particu- To support this trajectory, we be-
Maurits has a Ph.D. in Catalysis and How is Johnson Matthey’s business duction processes. JM’s achievements in sustainable larly in expanding the workforce at our lieve the government will play a pivotal
an M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry and structured in India? How would you technology span multiple sectors. Our Mumbai Engineering Centre and advanc- role in establishing clear, long-term poli-
Catalysis, both from Leiden University, assess the recent performance of JM Our differentiation lies in our tech- proprietary technologies, such as LCH ing our partnerships with local industries. cies for sustainable growth. Providing
The Netherlands. in India? nological breadth and feedstock-ag- technology for low-carbon hydrogen consistent support for clean technol-
nostic approach. We have developed production and Circular Methanol Investment will focus on furthering ogy adoption, incentivising renewable
Chemical Weekly sought his views Johnson Matthey has a longstand- unique solutions that allow industries technology, have set new benchmarks the deployment of low-carbon techno- energy integration, and fostering inter-
on centre’s role in developing JM’s ing presence in India, spanning over to transition away from fossil fuels, in sustainable chemical manufacturing. logies in hydrogen, SAF, and e-metha- national partnerships are essential. We are
business in India and the company’s six decades, with a workforce of over such as our waste-to-methanol techno- These technologies are not only nol. By scaling our engineering capa- committed to collaborating with Indian
overall strategy to advance decarboni- 1,000 across eight operational sites in logy and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) applied across Europe and the US but bilities and building local expertise, we authorities to meet these sustainability
sation efforts in the chemical industry Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, production, which utilise waste resi- are equally relevant to India, offering aim to play a vital role in supporting goals, contributing both technological
in India and globally. and Haryana. We serve diverse sectors, dues as feedstock. By leveraging our transformative potential for reducing India’s energy transition. solutions and regulatory insights.

188 Chemical Weekly November 19, 2024 Chemical Weekly November 19, 2024 189

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