The Main Column

The Main Column


A breakthrough in styrene catalyst technology: An interview with Dr. Wolf Spaether of Clariant

December 22, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Wolf Spaether, Global Head of Product Management and Strategic Marketing for Ethylene, Clariant, discusses the groundbreaking Styromax UL100 catalyst, which revolutionizes styrene monomer production by achieving unprecedented low steam-to-oil ratios. The conversation covers the significance of styrene in the petrochemical industry, the technical challenges in developing this catalyst and the positive market response it has received.