Catalyst handling involves the safe removal of spent catalysts and the careful loading of new catalysts into reactors or process units, such as those found in refineries and chemical plants. It is a specialized field where precision, safety, and process continuity are central. Catalyst handling also directly contributes to a cleaner and more circular industry. Spent catalysts are not simply discarded: they contain valuable metals and raw materials that can be recovered and reused. By efficiently removing, cleaning, and recycling catalysts, we reduce waste streams and decrease the demand for new, primary raw materials. At the same time, proper loading of new, high-quality catalysts ensures cleaner processes, lower emissions, and optimal energy efficiency in factories. Catalyst handling is a key link in the transition to a sustainable, circular process industry, retaining maximum value and minimizing environmental impact.

A global business
“Catalyst is a global business, which means I spend a lot of time on airplanes. That’s just the reality in our industry. Everyone knows things need to be cleaner, but regulations in Europe are stricter than elsewhere. Frankly, that doesn’t solve the problem, it just shifts it elsewhere. I talk to people at all levels, from C-level to operations, about how we can strengthen each other. These conversations are about safety, efficiency, and quality. In doing so, we also touch on sustainability, because if a catalyst performs better, it also means you need less of it. Catalysts contain expensive metals, like nickel, which aren’t easy to come by. So you have to use raw materials sparingly. This message resonates everywhere, but you can only have these conversations if you have a good relationship. And for that, you need to see each other.”

Relationships are everything
“It all comes down to relationships. In fact, when factories relocate, the relationship simply moves with them. But the way you interact with people varies everywhere. Before I go somewhere, I always take the time to learn about the local culture. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter. In Japan, for example, you always accept a business card with both hands, as a sign of respect. I love seeing these differences and making connections.

In conversation with the new generation
“Shaping tomorrow, to me, means making a positive contribution to the future of the petrochemical industry and the next generation of engineers. For example, by sharing knowledge and engaging in conversations. Together with Catalyst Producer Johnson Matthey, I gave a guest lecture at the university in Bangkok, at the invitation of a client. It was a great experience and inspiring to see that there is a new generation coming up for whom sustainability is an important topic. We talk about reducing emissions and using raw materials more efficiently, about safety, process improvement, and circularity. These are the kinds of conversations we can have when we know and trust each other. That’s why relationships are so important.”