Heterogeneous catalysts need high mechanical stability to sustain the demanding reactor conditions. They require binders such as silica to extrude or compress the raw material into stable pellets. Adding silica powders with small particle sizes such as AEROSIL® fumed silica or submicron SIPERNAT® 380 precipitated silica enhances the mechanical stability of solid catalysts. A convenient solution is using Evonik’s ready mix AERODISP® fumed silica dispersions which contain fumed silica particle in a well dispersed state – a perfect solution for extruded catalysts or washcoats. A key benefit of Evonik’s silicas for catalyst applications is their inertness and excellent chemical purity, which minimizes undesired secondary reactions.