Albemarle researchers and coalition partners make breakthrough in catalyst research technology

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Jul 22, 2014, 04:05 ET

BATON ROUGE, La., July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique collaboration between catalyst researchers from Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), Delft University of Technology, Haldor Topsoe, FEI Company and Leiden Probe Microscopy has led to an innovative new method for studying catalyst dynamics under actual operating conditions. The process uses a technique called high-resolution electron microscopy to monitor changes in the catalyst structure during the catalytic process. Unlike conventional electron microscopy, which has considerable pressure and temperature limitations, this new technique allows scientists to view these reactions under real-life conditions.

"This breakthrough technology allows us to monitor actual catalyst behavior in a manner that simply was not possible before," said Bart Nelissen, global analytical director for Albemarle. "These new insights will ultimately allow us to manufacture more value-added catalysts to meet the specific needs of our refinery customers."

"This significant breakthrough is a perfect example of how collaboration pushes innovation," said Edwin Berends, vice president of Albemarle's Catalyst Solutions Research and Technology group. "By bringing together the brightest catalyst researchers from both industry and academia, we have greatly accelerated research advances that benefit the entire field of catalysis."

This collaborative initiative, which is referred to as NIMIC (Nano-IMaging under Industrial Conditions), was commissioned by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and the SenterNovem to promote and support novel, atomic-scale research in physical, chemical and biological processes.

A detailed technical article discussing this research has been published in the July issue of Nature Materials. To access the article, please click here.

About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its two global business units: Performance Chemicals and Catalyst Solutions. Corporate Responsibility Magazine selected Albemarle to its prestigious "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for 2010, 2011 and 2013. Albemarle employs approximately 3,900 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Albemarle regularly posts information to www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, Regulation G reconciliations, SEC filings, and other information regarding the Company, its businesses and the markets we serve.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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SOURCE Albemarle Corporation