Clariant EnviCat™ NSCR catalyst exceeds emission reduction targets at Rustavi Azot nitric acid plant of Indorama Group
- Clariant EnviCat NSCR catalyst achieves 98.97% NOx and 97.8% N2O reduction at nitric acid plant of AO Rustavi Azot in Georgia, surpassing guaranteed thresholds
- The honeycomb-shaped catalyst is more cost-effective than conventional bulk catalysts and can be installed without capital-intensive infrastructure changes
- EnviCat NSCR provides high temperature stability above 400°C, with a monolithic design delivering low pressure drop and long operating life
MUTTENZ, November 12, 2026 - Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today announced that its EnviCat NSCR non-selective catalytic reduction catalyst surpassed guaranteed emissions reduction targets at the nitric acid production plant of AO Rustavi Azot in Georgia. In operation, the honeycomb catalyst reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 98.97% and nitrous oxide (N2O) by 97.8%, exceeding the guaranteed thresholds of 95% for both pollutants. The performance was achieved with only minimal modifications to the plant's existing reactor infrastructure and delivered significant cost savings compared to conventional bulk catalyst alternatives.
The project was executed in collaboration with Alvigo, Clariant's engineering partner, and received partial subsidization from NACAG (Nitric Acid Climate Action Group), part of GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).
Nora Schiefenhoevel, Vice President and Head of Clariant Specialty Catalysts, commented, "As the chemical industry works to reduce its environmental footprint, we are committed to ensuring that best-in-class emissions control technology is within reach for producers across all plant configurations. The results at Rustavi Azot demonstrate that high performance and economic viability are fully compatible. Together with our partner Alvigo, we are proud to be contributing to the decarbonization of nitric acid production in Georgia and beyond."
Gocha Kartelishvili, Chief Engineer at JSC Rustavi Azot, stated, "Our requirements were straightforward: reduce emissions, preserve our existing unit, and keep costs manageable. The EnviCat NSCR catalyst delivered on every aspect and went further than anticipated. The results speak for themselves, and we are proud that this project in Georgia demonstrates what responsible, practical emissions control looks like in action."
Founded in 1956 and a member of the Indorama Group since 2023, JSC Rustavi Azot operates a nitric acid unit that had been in continuous service for decades, with its last reactor revamp approximately 15 years ago. The plant was operating with an aging high-palladium-loading alumina bulk NSCR catalyst for NOx removal, risking non-compliance with emissions regulations. The producer required a solution that avoided the high expenses of a complete unit revamp or costly replacement of conventional granulated bulk catalysts. Alvigo’s flexible process and Clariant’s high-performance EnviCat NSCR catalyst were identified as the most effective and economically viable path to compliance.
Due to its honeycomb shape, EnviCat NSCR carries a significant cost advantage over conventional bulk catalysts and can be easily configured to a plant’s existing reactor, eliminating the need for capital-intensive infrastructure changes. The catalyst uses methane as a reducing agent to convert up to 95% of NOx and N2O into harmless nitrogen and water. The exceptional results at the JSC Rustavi Azot plant are consistent with the long-term reliability demonstrated across the catalyst’s reference portfolio. Designed for tail-gas temperatures above 400°C, EnviCat NSCR offers high temperature stability, with monoliths featuring a large surface area that delivers low pressure drop and a long operating life.
Learn more about Clariant’s emissions control catalysts.
EnviCat NSCR™ IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT.