Applications
our Implementations
Fields of Use
The main target and the core business of YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. company is the development of catalysts for the marine industry.
The development of these catalysts is funded from RIF Organization of Cyprus through the SEED project and the company aims to commercialize this product within the next two years. More precisely and due to the restrictions provided by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) referring to lower the Sulphur emissions, YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. has developed solutions to meet the strict requirements set and provide solutions to the marine industry.
Based on existing knowledge the company has developed a method, system and device for reducing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and converting it to elemental S₂ from gaseous internal combustion engine using Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) with high sulfur content. This can be achieved by using catalytic converters to catalyse the reactions of SO₂ with CO, CH₄, NO to produce elemental sulfur in liquid form in the temperature range of 200 °C to 700 °C.
In order to improve the mechanical properties of the rubber which is the main constituent of commercial tyres, a vulcanization process takes place which utilizes catalytic materials. The most common catalyst for this process is microcrystalline ZnO, 600,000 tonnes of which are used each year in the tyre manufacturing industry. However, ZnO can be harmful to aquatic organisms and as a result, YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. provides into the market as reprentative of Monolithos a novel ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP material composed of ZnO and silica nanoparticles, to reduce the toxicity of ZnO. Moreover, the material also behaves as curing agent and rubber reinforcing filler, thus enhancing the mechanical properties of the tyres. This innovative approach not only improves tyre performance but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing process. By reducing the ecological impact of traditional ZnO, this advancement aligns with the industry’s ongoing efforts toward greener solutions.
Besides light duty vehicles, the company provides into the Cypriot market catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters for heavy duty mobile applications (off road construction machines and urban trucks/buses) which include a special technology for the replacement of diesel oxidation catalysts by three-way nano-catalysts based on Copper (Cu) and Rhodium (Rh), for the selective reduction of Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ). This advanced solution enhances emissions control efficiency, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations while improving overall engine performance.
One of the main activities of YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. is recycling catalysts after their decline of operation. With an average commercial catalyst containing ca. 1-3 g in PGMs, the company ensures a significant amount of precious metals for manufacturing new catalysts and partially exporting powder to refineries for producing single metal powders of high purity. The treatment of spent catalysts involves dismantling, decanning, grain downsizing with chain & analytical mills, followed by HCl leaching of PGMs to achieve >99% recovery for Pt and Pd and 50% for Rh.
Batteries are the most important devices for electrochemical energy storage and powering electronic devices and vehicles.
With some types of batteries (such as Li-ion, Ni-Cd, etc.) to contain valuable and strategic metals, such as Cd, Co, Li, Mn, Ni and Zn, YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. aims to valorise the End-of-Life batteries to gain value of the recovered metals and ensure an extra supply source for the manufacturing of new materials. With the EU regulation to state that 30% of the vehicles across Europe to be electric by 2030, there will be a major in the supply of the above metals and YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. can be one of the forefront providers. To achieve this, the company is investing in innovative recycling technologies that maximize metal recovery while minimizing environmental impact. By closing the loop in battery material supply, YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. contributes to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. Additionally, these efforts support the transition to a circular economy, reducing reliance on raw material extraction and promoting long-term resource efficiency.
YS Cypriot Catalysts Ltd. aims also at the development of an innovative coating which will reduce the COVID outbreak by limiting the lifespan of the virus on the surface to maximum one hour. Scientists found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be detected in aerosols for up to three hours and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days. The findings emphasize the importance of hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces to protect against infection.
The project targets to: (i) produce a prototype of an innovative coating in pilot scale, (ii) promote and boost awareness of stakeholders for the coating, its improved performance against COVID-19 and the potential applications, (iii) assess the impact related to its economic viability and identifying the appropriate strategy and business models for market penetration, (iv) obtain and defend the concerned patents and intellectual property rights, making it attractive to enter the market and (v) create the right environment to establish potential commercial cooperation and open up potential export markets.