- Email: [email protected]
BASF invests in fuel-cell maker
F O C U S R&D facilities in Amsterdam to accommodate the strong growth of its high-throughput R&D business. The expansion involves that Avantium will double its capacity with the addition of 2500 sq m of laboratory and office space. Avantium anticipates it will start using the new facilities by 1Q 2008. Press release from: Avantium Technologies, Zekeringstraat 29, 1014BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 586 8080. Fax: +31 20 586 8085. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.avantium.com (2 Mar 2007)
BASF invests in fuel-cell maker BASF Venture Capital is investing in UltraCell, a company that develops small fuel-cell systems for portable devices such as phones, radios, and laptops. UltraCell raised $10.3 M in its financing round, $3 M of this coming from BASF. In UltraCell’s fuel cell, a ‘micro reformer’ is used to generate hydrogen from methanol. According to the company, the system produces twice the power of a similar-sized lithium-ion battery. Chemical and Engineering News, 5 Feb 2007, 85 (6), 16-17
Diversa and Celunol announce merger to create a new biofuels industry leader Diversa Corp and Celunol Corp have signed a definitive merger agreement to create a new leader in the emerging cellulosic ethanol industry. The combined company will be the first within the cellulosic ethanol industry to possess integrated end-toend capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development. The combined company will be headquartered in Cambridge, MA and have research and operations facilities in San Diego, CA; Jennings, LO; and Gainesville, FL. Press release from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.diversa.com (12 Feb 2007)
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commercialise cellulosic ethanol technology developed by DuPont. The DOE funding accelerates the development of a bio-refinery at Broin’s Emmetsburg, IA, facility to 2009. In 2003, the DOE provided a four-year, $19 M matching grant to DuPont to develop a technology package to produce cellulosic ethanol. DuPont chose corn stover – the stalks, cobs and leaves that are left in the field after harvest – as the target for its research because of the logistical advantages of harvesting, transporting and producing ethanol from this cellulosic feedstock. Press release from: DuPont, DuPont Building, 1007, Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19898, USA. Website: http://www.dupont.com (28 Feb 2007)
Back to basics at Genencor Changes implemented at Genencor since its acquisition early in 2005 by Danisco, the Danish food and feed ingredients firm, are outlined. Danisco almost immediately sold Genencor’s healthcare products operations to Cambridge Antibody Technology for $14 M. Genencor is now developing its expertise in industrial enzymes by launching detergent enzymes and seeking ways of processing renewable resources into fuels and chemicals instead of using petroleum. Sales by Genencor in 2004, its last year of independence, rose by 8% to $410 M. In the year ended Jun 2006, sales had again grown by 8% to $440 M. Genencor has been involved in the development of enzymes for the food sector since 2001 via its $20 M collaboration with Danisco (which then had a 42% stake). In Sep 2006, Danisco merged its own enzyme activities with those of Genencor. The growing market for fuel ethanol is likely to have a significant impact on demand from Genencor for enzymes which can help process corn starch and other biomass feedstocks. Chemical and Engineering News, 15 Jan 2007, 85 (3), 38-39
Johnson Matthey trading update Dupont cellulosic technology to be funded by Broin and DOE The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced joint funding with Broin Companies in the development of a bio-refinery plant that will
APRIL 2007
Trading in 2H 2006 is progressing well for Johnson Matthey. Catalysts Division is delivering good growth with Environmental Catalysts and Technologies benefiting from increased sales of heavy duty diesel
catalysts following the introduction of new emission regulations in Europe and North America. Process Catalysts and Technologies has also achieved good growth with strong sales of synthesis gas catalysts. Precious Metal Products Division and Pharmaceutical Materials have also shown growth. The sale of the Ceramics Division for €226 M is due to be completed on 28 Feb 2007. Press release from: Johnson Matthey PLC, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8400 (4 Jan 2007)
JM Catalysts and Sinopec to collaborate Johnson Matthey Catalysts, a subsidiary of Johnson Matthey Plc, and the China Petrochemical International Co (Sinopec) have commenced a longterm collaboration agreement which will position the two partners as leading suppliers to the global market for oil refinery hydroprocessing catalysts. Collaboration in other oil refining catalyst markets will also be investigated. Press release from: Johnson Matthey PLC, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8400 (13 Feb 2007)
LS9 launched to create renewable petroleum biofuels On 14 Feb 2007 LS9 Inc, the renewable petroleum company, announced its launch. Founded in 2005, the company is pursuing industrial applications of synthetic biology to produce proprietary biofuels. LS9’s products, currently under development, are designed to closely resemble petroleum-derived fuels, but be renewable, clean, domestically produced, and cost competitive. In addition to biofuels, LS9 will also develop industrial biochemicals for specialty applications. LS9 Inc is developing renewable petroleum biofuels through work pioneered by scientific founders Chris Somerville, Director of the Carnegie Institution and Professor of Plant Biology at Stanford University, and George Church, Director of the MIT-Harvard US-Dept. of Energy GTL Centre and Professor of Genetics at Harvard, along with venture founders Flagship Ventures and Khosla Ventures. Biomass Initiative, Feb 2007 (US Dept of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Website: http://www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov)
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BASF invests in fuel-cell maker BASF Venture Capital is investing in UltraCell, a company that develops small fuel-cell systems for portable devices such as phones, radios, and laptops. UltraCell raised $10.3 M in its financing round, $3 M of this coming from BASF. In UltraCell’s fuel cell, a ‘micro reformer’ is used to generate hydrogen from methanol. According to the company, the system produces twice the power of a similar-sized lithium-ion battery. Chemical and Engineering News, 5 Feb 2007, 85 (6), 16-17
Diversa and Celunol announce merger to create a new biofuels industry leader Diversa Corp and Celunol Corp have signed a definitive merger agreement to create a new leader in the emerging cellulosic ethanol industry. The combined company will be the first within the cellulosic ethanol industry to possess integrated end-toend capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development. The combined company will be headquartered in Cambridge, MA and have research and operations facilities in San Diego, CA; Jennings, LO; and Gainesville, FL. Press release from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.diversa.com (12 Feb 2007)
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commercialise cellulosic ethanol technology developed by DuPont. The DOE funding accelerates the development of a bio-refinery at Broin’s Emmetsburg, IA, facility to 2009. In 2003, the DOE provided a four-year, $19 M matching grant to DuPont to develop a technology package to produce cellulosic ethanol. DuPont chose corn stover – the stalks, cobs and leaves that are left in the field after harvest – as the target for its research because of the logistical advantages of harvesting, transporting and producing ethanol from this cellulosic feedstock. Press release from: DuPont, DuPont Building, 1007, Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19898, USA. Website: http://www.dupont.com (28 Feb 2007)
Back to basics at Genencor Changes implemented at Genencor since its acquisition early in 2005 by Danisco, the Danish food and feed ingredients firm, are outlined. Danisco almost immediately sold Genencor’s healthcare products operations to Cambridge Antibody Technology for $14 M. Genencor is now developing its expertise in industrial enzymes by launching detergent enzymes and seeking ways of processing renewable resources into fuels and chemicals instead of using petroleum. Sales by Genencor in 2004, its last year of independence, rose by 8% to $410 M. In the year ended Jun 2006, sales had again grown by 8% to $440 M. Genencor has been involved in the development of enzymes for the food sector since 2001 via its $20 M collaboration with Danisco (which then had a 42% stake). In Sep 2006, Danisco merged its own enzyme activities with those of Genencor. The growing market for fuel ethanol is likely to have a significant impact on demand from Genencor for enzymes which can help process corn starch and other biomass feedstocks. Chemical and Engineering News, 15 Jan 2007, 85 (3), 38-39
Johnson Matthey trading update Dupont cellulosic technology to be funded by Broin and DOE The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced joint funding with Broin Companies in the development of a bio-refinery plant that will
APRIL 2007
Trading in 2H 2006 is progressing well for Johnson Matthey. Catalysts Division is delivering good growth with Environmental Catalysts and Technologies benefiting from increased sales of heavy duty diesel
catalysts following the introduction of new emission regulations in Europe and North America. Process Catalysts and Technologies has also achieved good growth with strong sales of synthesis gas catalysts. Precious Metal Products Division and Pharmaceutical Materials have also shown growth. The sale of the Ceramics Division for €226 M is due to be completed on 28 Feb 2007. Press release from: Johnson Matthey PLC, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8400 (4 Jan 2007)
JM Catalysts and Sinopec to collaborate Johnson Matthey Catalysts, a subsidiary of Johnson Matthey Plc, and the China Petrochemical International Co (Sinopec) have commenced a longterm collaboration agreement which will position the two partners as leading suppliers to the global market for oil refinery hydroprocessing catalysts. Collaboration in other oil refining catalyst markets will also be investigated. Press release from: Johnson Matthey PLC, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8400 (13 Feb 2007)
LS9 launched to create renewable petroleum biofuels On 14 Feb 2007 LS9 Inc, the renewable petroleum company, announced its launch. Founded in 2005, the company is pursuing industrial applications of synthetic biology to produce proprietary biofuels. LS9’s products, currently under development, are designed to closely resemble petroleum-derived fuels, but be renewable, clean, domestically produced, and cost competitive. In addition to biofuels, LS9 will also develop industrial biochemicals for specialty applications. LS9 Inc is developing renewable petroleum biofuels through work pioneered by scientific founders Chris Somerville, Director of the Carnegie Institution and Professor of Plant Biology at Stanford University, and George Church, Director of the MIT-Harvard US-Dept. of Energy GTL Centre and Professor of Genetics at Harvard, along with venture founders Flagship Ventures and Khosla Ventures. Biomass Initiative, Feb 2007 (US Dept of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Website: http://www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov)
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