Catalyst composition and isomerisation process

1. A catalyst composition which comprises a carrier material component and a metal(s) component that is supported on the carrier material component, wherein the carrier material component comprises (i) a ZSM-12 type zeolite in an amount of from 2 to 20% wt, based on total weight of carrier material, the ZSM-12 type zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 60 to 200; (ii) a EU-1 type zeolite in an amount of from 2 to 30% wt, based on total weight of carrier material, the EU-1 type zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 20 to 200; and an inorganic binder in an amount in the range of from 55 to 96% wt, based on total weight of carrier material; and wherein the metal(s) component comprises a group VIII metal in an amount of at least 0.01% wt, based on total weight of catalyst.

2. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the ZSM-12 type zeolite is present in an amount in the range of from 2 to 15% wt, based on total weight of carrier material.

3. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the EU-1 type zeolite is present in an amount in the range of from 2 to 24% wt, based on total weight of carrier material.

4. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic binder is present in an amount in the range of from 70 to 95% wt, based on total weight of carrier material.

5. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic binder consists of alumina.

6. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the Group VIII metal is platinum which is present in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 0.6% wt, based on total weight of catalyst.

7. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the ZSM-12 type zeolite has a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 70 to 150.

8. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the EU-1 type zeolite has a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 30 to 95.

9. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the ZSM-12 type zeolite has an average particle size in the range of from 5 to 50 nm.

10. The catalyst according to claim 1 , wherein the EU-1 type zeolite has an average particle size in the range of from 20 to 70 nm.

11. A process for preparing an ethylbenzene conversion catalyst, wherein said process comprises the steps of:

(a) mixing ZSM-12 type zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 60 to 200, EU-1 type zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 20 to 200, and an inorganic binder to provide a mixture;

(b) shaping said mixture to provide a shaped mixture;

(c) calcining said shaped mixture to provide a calcined carrier;

(d) impregnating said calcined carrier with a Group VIII metal to provide a metal impregnated carrier; and

(e) calcining said metal impregnated carrier;

wherein said ZSM-12 type zeolite is present in said calcined carrier in an amount of from 2 to 20% wt, said EU-1 type zeolite is present in said calcined carrier in an amount of from 2 to 30% wt, said inorganic binder is present in said calcined carrier in an amount of from 55 to 96% wt and said Group VIII metal is present in said ethylbenzene conversion catalyst in an amount of at least 0.01% wt.

12. A process for the isomerisation of alkylaromatics comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock which comprises alkylaromatics with a catalyst as defined in claim 1 .

13. The process according to claim 12 , wherein the feed comprises ethylbenzene and xylenes.

14. A process as recited in claim 11 , wherein said inorganic binder in said mixture provides for an amount of said inorganic binder in the range of from 80 to 91% wt, based on the total weight of said calcined carrier, wherein said ZSM-12 type zeolite in said mixture provides for an amount of said ZSM-12 type zeolite in the range of from 2 to 15% wt, based on the total weight of said calcined carrier, and said EU-1 type zeolite in said mixture provides for an amount of said EU-1 type zeolite in the range of from 2 to 24% wt, based on the total weight of said calcined carrier.

15. A process as recited in claim 14 , wherein calcining step (c) is carried out at a calcination temperature in the range of from 450 to 1100° C.

16. A process as recited in claim 15 , wherein said Group VIII metal is platinum impregnated into said calcined carrier by impregnating step (d) in an amount of at least 0.01% wt, based on the total weight of said ethylbenzene conversion catalyst.

17. A process as recited in claim 16 , wherein said ZSM-12 type zeolite of said calcined carrier has an SAR in the range of from 604e-20070 to 150 and said EU-1 type zeolite of said calcined carrier has an SAR in the range of from 20 to 150.

18. A process as recited in claim 17 , wherein said inorganic binder is alumina.

19. A process as recited in claim 18 , wherein said ethylbenzene conversion catalyst comprises said calcined carrier having from 4 to 11% wt of said ZSM-12 type zeolite, from 4 to 15% wt of said EU-1 type zeolite, and from 80 to 91% wt of said inorganic binder, with each % wt based on the total weight of said calcined carrier; and said Group VIII metal in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 0.6% wt, based on the total weight of said ethylbenzene conversion catalyst.