In a world where environmental sustainability is at the forefront of global discussions, Cormetech is leading the way in innovative solutions. Awarded the 2024 Innovation Leadership Award, Cormetech is proactive in the progress in offsetting climate change.
Cormetech is a leading provider of emissions control catalysts and carbon capture technologies dedicated to creating solutions for industries worldwide to achieve cleaner air. With over 35 years of experience, Cormetech specializes in developing and manufacturing catalysts for reduction of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and now has embarked on the design and manufacture of CO2 adsorbers to help fight climate change. From power plants and refineries to petrochemical facilities and industrial generators to Direct Air Capture (DAC), Cormetech’s innovative catalysts and adsorbers are crucial in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality. As a company deeply committed to innovation and sustainability, Cormetech continues to create effective and environmentally friendly solutions for a cleaner, healthier world.
Cormetech’s influence extends globally, as power companies worldwide depend on the SCR catalyst and emissions control technology the company produces. In addition to its significant presence in the United States, Cormetech has established licensees in China and maintains sales operations throughout Asia, Europe and with various other affiliates across the globe. Through these strategic partnerships and widespread distribution, Cormetech’s innovative technology plays a pivotal role in cleaning the air and mitigating harmful emissions on an international level.
Scott Daugherty, COO of Cormetech in Durham, North Carolina, manages Cormetech’s global catalyst business for sales, manufacturing and services. “In Durham and throughout the company, we focus on pioneering novel technologies designed to provide customers with uniquely efficient solutions. This innovation translates to enhanced performance for engines and turbines, enabling them to operate more efficiently and with lower emissions. Our vision is to be a global leader providing the highest-quality and highest-performing environmental technology solutions and we are delivering on that strategy every day.” stated Daugherty.
Cormetech fulfills its mission of providing cleaner air by leveraging its core competencies. “One of our unique capabilities is producing high quality monolith honeycomb products, utilizing titania and other materials. These products are then chemically activated, allowing us to incorporate different emissions control performance into the honeycomb substrates. This versatile approach enables us to create solutions tailored to clean the exhaust from various combustion applications. Whether it is power plants, refineries, petrochemical facilities or even industrial generators powering data centers or AI systems, our products are designed and manufactured cost effectively to reduce emissions and improve air quality. This adaptability sets us apart and drives our continuous pursuit of innovation in emissions control technology,” said Daugherty.
“At the core of Cormetech’s identity is an unwavering commitment to innovation. Innovation is not just a part of what we do; it’s our heartbeat. It has been the driving force behind our success for over 35 years.”
— Scott Daugherty, the COO of Cormetech in Durham, North Carolina
At the heart of Cormetech’s success is its commitment to developing products that make power plants cleaner while lowering operational costs. One such product is the ELITE™ catalyst, a groundbreaking technology that reduces NOx and in some applications CO and VOCs in one catalyst element. This innovation improves the efficiency of power plants and reduces harmful emissions. “We consistently receive customer feedback indicating that our technology substantially enhances the efficiency of their operational assets. For instance, power plants running on natural gas experience increased power output while maintaining the same level of natural gas consumption.” Daugherty continues, “They can achieve the required power output with reduced natural gas usage, resulting in greater efficiency. Our ELITE™ technology is instrumental in driving these efficiency gains, because of its innovative design and exceptional performance qualities. Customers particularly appreciate its low-pressure loss and high catalytic performance, which are essential for their operations.”
In addition to the ELITE™ catalyst, Cormetech is pioneering the development of adsorbers and systems designed to capture CO2 directly from the air and from power plants. This initiative has received funding (DE-FE0032138) from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) and is set to be tested at the National Carbon Capture Center in collaboration with Middle River Power, Nooter Eriksen and Southern Company through 2024. The potential impact of this technology on carbon reduction, cannot be overstated, especially considering the recent discussions at COP28 during the UN Climate Conference. “This grant as well as another one focused on adsorber development for DAC, signify the beginning of our journey towards achieving sustainable energy practices and reducing carbon footprints worldwide,” remarked Daugherty.
“At the core of Cormetech’s identity is an unwavering commitment to innovation. Innovation is not just a part of what we do; it’s our heartbeat. It has been the driving force behind our success for over 35 years. Our dedication to innovation extends to continuously improving our products and exploring new avenues that address emerging market needs, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, a rapidly developing sector.”
The CORAL™ patented technology developed by Cormetech for CO2 capture is a trademark inspired by the structure of coral reefs. Just like natural coral reefs, CORAL™ technology features functional walls with a similar ability to capture carbon. Whether utilized in DAC or integrated into natural gas power plants for Point Source Capture (PSC), CORAL™ technology effectively captures carbon directly from the air or exhaust emissions. Implementing CORAL™ adsorbers not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances efficiency and reduces the power requirements to run these systems versus competitive solutions.
As the world faces the urgent challenge of climate change, Cormetech stands as a testament to what can be achieved through innovation and collaboration. By focusing its technological strengths on creating affordable CO2 capture systems, Cormetech is cleaning the air we breathe today and paving the way for a more sustainable future for generations to come.
“Winning the 2024 Innovation Leadership Award is truly an honor, and Cormetech is deeply grateful for this recognition. Acknowledging our innovation efforts is significant to us, as innovation is at the core of everything we do, it’s our lifeblood. This award recognizes our employees’ hard work and dedication, particularly our manufacturing and engineering teams, whose innovative work drives our success. It highlights the importance of our mission to clean the air and underscores the societal benefits of our end products.” Daugherty continues, “Many individuals are drawn to Cormetech because they recognize our solutions’ positive impact on the environment. The fact is we have played a crucial role in reducing nitrogen oxides emissions from power plants throughout the world. Looking ahead, our next frontier in innovation is carbon capture, and we are well-positioned to tackle this challenge. Winning this award further affirms that Cormetech is on the right path, and it motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation for the betterment of society.”
