CRI Catalyst invests in new production facility

CRI Catalyst Belgium, a division of the Royal Dutch Shell Group, is to open a new production facility in Ghent next year.

The facility, which will create 20 new jobs in addition to the 92 already on the company's payroll in Flanders, will produce a silver-based catalyst used in the production of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide in turn is in growing demand and is used in the manufacture of goods such as anti-freeze, polyester textile and detergents. The company has not said how much the investment will cost.

CRI Catalyst is part of CRI / Criterion Inc., the global catalyst technology company of the Shell Group and operates research laboratories, development facilities, manufacturing plants and business units throughout the world. Its specific areas of focus include hydrogenation, oxidation, dehydrogenation, and environmental catalysts and systems. (Reported by De Standaard newspaper)