£700,000 deal for Belfast catalytic converter firm

17/02/2014

Using patented technology, Catagen initially produced two small products for the automotive industry – Labcat and Testcat. But its larger Maxcat model, which is capable of testing four catalyst assemblies at once, has caught the attention of US company MAHLE.

The first Maxcat machine has been completed and will soon be installed in the USA at the Michigan facility of MAHLE Powertrain.

MAHLE is a global manufacturer of components and systems for the internal combustion engine as well as vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling.

Catagen co-founder and chief executive, Dr Andrew Woods, says automotive companies need to conduct extensive testing and verification on new and aged catalysts to verify that emission regulations will be met throughout the typical life of a vehicle.

"The development of Maxcat is a really significant moment for Catagen and the future of catalyst testing," he told The Belfast Telegraph. "The industry now has a viable, full-size, much more environmentally friendly alternative method to age and test catalysts."