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Avecia spin-off Reaxa launched
FOCUS Metallocene & single-site polymers. The demand for these polymers in the USA is growing at more than 20%/y and should reach 2.3 M tonnes in 2009, worth $5.3 bn. A table entitled demand for metallocene and singlesite polymers in the USA shows the demand in 2004, forecast for 2009, and annual growth for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and elastomers and plastomers. Kunststof en Rubber, Jun 2005, 58 (6), 5 (in Dutch)
Japanese catalyst industry reviewed A short, detailed review of the Japanese catalysts industry, covering: market (down 3.8% in period Oct 2004 to Jan 2005), increasing R&D costs (typically Yen 10 to get a product to market), and mergers & acquisitions (including Nippon Soda, which acquired agrochem business of Dainippon Ink & Chemical) and DuPont Farm Solutions (jv of DuPont (Japan) and Maruwa Biochemical). Japan Chemical Week, 9 Jun 2005, 46 (2321), 10
Ultra-deep HDS catalysts in demand in Japan Because of forthcoming regulations in Japan governing the sulfur content of fuels there has been a large increase in the demand for high-performance hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Demand for heavy-oil HDS catalysts between Jan and Aug 2004 was 60% higher than in the same period in 2003. Japan Chemical Week, 9 Jun 2005, 46 (2321), 10
Blueprint for AdBlue Business prospects and problems for AdBlue, the urea-containing SCR reagent for reducing the NOx content of diesel exhausts, are discussed in this feature article. By 2012 the consumption of urea for this application in Europe is forecast to be about 1 M tonnes/y, which will cause supply problems. Bulk distribution through existing service stations is foreseen, but the infrastructure will be difficult to finance. European Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 82 (2150), 2021
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COMPANY NEWS Avecia spin-off Reaxa launched Reaxa, which was established to commercialise Encat encapsulated catalyst technology, has become a stand-alone company following a spin-off from Avecia. The company expects sales to be over $20 M/y by 2009. Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Jun 2005, 83 (26), 15-16 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Chemical Market Reporter, 27 Jun 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
BMS applies Codexis technology Bristol-Myers Squibb has concluded a research deal with Codexis under which it will evaluate Codexis’s enzyme-based processing technology to improve an existing biocatalytic process for making an undisclosed drug candidate. Chemical Week, 8 Jun 2005, 167 (19) (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Crompton consolidates in Germany Crompton has inaugurated its Organometallic Specialities (OMS) business in Germany. The company intends to use this business to boost its activities in specialities based on aluminium, magnesium, tin, boron, zirconium, zinc, silicon, and other metals and compounds. The OMS business has a 160,000 sq m site in Bergkamen, Germany, which includes two main production plants for aluminium and tin compounds. The aluminium plant reacts aluminium with hydrogen and alkenes to produce aluminium alkyls, while the tin plant yields tetra alkyl tin compounds that are used to yield mono-and dialkyl tin chlorides which, in turn, are converted into alkyl tin oxides. The OMS business is focused in five main areas: olefin polymerization catalysts, which covers aluminium and magnesium alkyls; catalysts, which focuses on the use of mono- and dibutyl octyl tins as catalysts for powder coatings, polyurethane and silicon systems, and as rubber modifiers; glass coating; and biocides, pharma, & fine chemicals. Speciality Chemicals, Jun 2005, 25 (5), 46,48
Engelhard buys syngas catalysts business from Sinopec Engelhard has moved into the syngas market by acquiring the syngas catalysts business of Sinopec’s Nanjing Chemical Industry. The deal will be “modestly accretive to earnings and provide positive cash flow in the first full year”. As part of the transaction, Engelhard will take over all syngas business operations, catalysts technology, and production facilities from NCIC. Engelhard says syngas is becoming a key intermediate in the emerging gas economy. Chemical Week, 8 Jun 2005, 167 (19), 18 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & European Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 82 (2150), 10 & Chemical Market Reporter, 6 Jun 2005 (http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 20 Jun 2005, (12), 7 (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Asian Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 11 (493), 5 & Press release from Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA (31 May 2005)
Genencor fortifies its industrial enzymes Genencor International Inc is strengthening the importance of its industrial enzymes business. It recently launched its new Purafect Prime protease for the detergents market and its Oxy-Gone T400 catalase for the textile processing sector. The company faces significant competition, especially in the cleaning sector where several new enzymes have been introduced recently. Genencor’s cleaning enzymes make up 47% of the company’s 2004 product sales at $390 M. There have been major changes in the detergents market that have meant new needs for enzymes and Genencor is anticipating and reacting more aggressively here. One trend is the increasing preference for lower temperature wash. The company’s new protease is said to offer improved stain removal and enhanced cleaning performance at low temperatures. The company believes this enzyme will bring a new degree of differentiation and competitiveness to detergent producers. The enzyme also offers the possibility of achieving cleaning performance at lower dosage. US detergent enzymes demand was around $140 M in 2003. The global market for industrial enzymes is put at
AUGUST 2005
Japanese catalyst industry reviewed A short, detailed review of the Japanese catalysts industry, covering: market (down 3.8% in period Oct 2004 to Jan 2005), increasing R&D costs (typically Yen 10 to get a product to market), and mergers & acquisitions (including Nippon Soda, which acquired agrochem business of Dainippon Ink & Chemical) and DuPont Farm Solutions (jv of DuPont (Japan) and Maruwa Biochemical). Japan Chemical Week, 9 Jun 2005, 46 (2321), 10
Ultra-deep HDS catalysts in demand in Japan Because of forthcoming regulations in Japan governing the sulfur content of fuels there has been a large increase in the demand for high-performance hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Demand for heavy-oil HDS catalysts between Jan and Aug 2004 was 60% higher than in the same period in 2003. Japan Chemical Week, 9 Jun 2005, 46 (2321), 10
Blueprint for AdBlue Business prospects and problems for AdBlue, the urea-containing SCR reagent for reducing the NOx content of diesel exhausts, are discussed in this feature article. By 2012 the consumption of urea for this application in Europe is forecast to be about 1 M tonnes/y, which will cause supply problems. Bulk distribution through existing service stations is foreseen, but the infrastructure will be difficult to finance. European Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 82 (2150), 2021
2
ON
C ATA LY S T S
COMPANY NEWS Avecia spin-off Reaxa launched Reaxa, which was established to commercialise Encat encapsulated catalyst technology, has become a stand-alone company following a spin-off from Avecia. The company expects sales to be over $20 M/y by 2009. Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Jun 2005, 83 (26), 15-16 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Chemical Market Reporter, 27 Jun 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
BMS applies Codexis technology Bristol-Myers Squibb has concluded a research deal with Codexis under which it will evaluate Codexis’s enzyme-based processing technology to improve an existing biocatalytic process for making an undisclosed drug candidate. Chemical Week, 8 Jun 2005, 167 (19) (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Crompton consolidates in Germany Crompton has inaugurated its Organometallic Specialities (OMS) business in Germany. The company intends to use this business to boost its activities in specialities based on aluminium, magnesium, tin, boron, zirconium, zinc, silicon, and other metals and compounds. The OMS business has a 160,000 sq m site in Bergkamen, Germany, which includes two main production plants for aluminium and tin compounds. The aluminium plant reacts aluminium with hydrogen and alkenes to produce aluminium alkyls, while the tin plant yields tetra alkyl tin compounds that are used to yield mono-and dialkyl tin chlorides which, in turn, are converted into alkyl tin oxides. The OMS business is focused in five main areas: olefin polymerization catalysts, which covers aluminium and magnesium alkyls; catalysts, which focuses on the use of mono- and dibutyl octyl tins as catalysts for powder coatings, polyurethane and silicon systems, and as rubber modifiers; glass coating; and biocides, pharma, & fine chemicals. Speciality Chemicals, Jun 2005, 25 (5), 46,48
Engelhard buys syngas catalysts business from Sinopec Engelhard has moved into the syngas market by acquiring the syngas catalysts business of Sinopec’s Nanjing Chemical Industry. The deal will be “modestly accretive to earnings and provide positive cash flow in the first full year”. As part of the transaction, Engelhard will take over all syngas business operations, catalysts technology, and production facilities from NCIC. Engelhard says syngas is becoming a key intermediate in the emerging gas economy. Chemical Week, 8 Jun 2005, 167 (19), 18 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & European Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 82 (2150), 10 & Chemical Market Reporter, 6 Jun 2005 (http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 20 Jun 2005, (12), 7 (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Asian Chemical News, 6 Jun 2005, 11 (493), 5 & Press release from Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA (31 May 2005)
Genencor fortifies its industrial enzymes Genencor International Inc is strengthening the importance of its industrial enzymes business. It recently launched its new Purafect Prime protease for the detergents market and its Oxy-Gone T400 catalase for the textile processing sector. The company faces significant competition, especially in the cleaning sector where several new enzymes have been introduced recently. Genencor’s cleaning enzymes make up 47% of the company’s 2004 product sales at $390 M. There have been major changes in the detergents market that have meant new needs for enzymes and Genencor is anticipating and reacting more aggressively here. One trend is the increasing preference for lower temperature wash. The company’s new protease is said to offer improved stain removal and enhanced cleaning performance at low temperatures. The company believes this enzyme will bring a new degree of differentiation and competitiveness to detergent producers. The enzyme also offers the possibility of achieving cleaning performance at lower dosage. US detergent enzymes demand was around $140 M in 2003. The global market for industrial enzymes is put at
AUGUST 2005