- Email: [email protected]
Crystal and the Faraday Partnerships
FOCUS ON C A T A L Y S T S AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF CATALYSTS ISSN 1351–4180
A MONTHLY REPORT FROM ALAN E COMYNS MARCH 2003 In this issue
CRYSTAL AND THE FARADAY PARTNERSHIPS
MARKETS AND BUSINESS 1-2 Global lanthanides markets Tenfold growth seen in GTL by 2010
COMPANY NEWS
2-4
Alcoa divests chemicals Genencor buys Rhodia’s enzymes
NEW PLANTS
4
Nano-titania plant for China
NEW TECHNOLOGY
4-7
Titania will cool buildings Methanol-to-propylene Low cost syngas from natural gas
ENVIRONMENT
7
Enzymatic fixation of carbon
PATENTS
7-8
BOOKSHELF
8
EVENTS
8
The Crystal Faraday Partnership is a UK government-backed (DTI), not-forprofit organisation with the IChemE, RSC, and CIA as hub partners. On 1st March 2003 it was “spun out” to become a limited company. Twenty four Faraday Partnerships work in subjects identified by “Foresight” priorities and the technology needs of a knowledge-driven economy. Crystal is aimed at promoting improved interactions between the UK science, engineering, and technology base with a focus on Green Chemical Technology for the Chemical and Allied Industries. In practice, as the market place is global, the activities are not geographically restricted and international collaboration is undertaken (for the benefit of UK plc). Chemical catalysis is at the heart of Crystal’s activities, biocatalysis being served by the ProBio Faraday Partnership. The challenge facing Crystal is to best serve the needs of all stakeholders in the catalysis community. “Technology Translators” perform industry visits, identifying key technology gaps and, where necessary, directing public funding to address these needs by allocating EPSRC money. Moreover, Crystal offers various services within the remit of Green Chemical Technology (GCT), including:
•
Facilitating participation in both large (eg LINK and EU Framework 6) and small (eg CASE) research programmes, as well as other
• • • •
government schemes such as Teaching Company Scheme and the International Technology Service Technology roadmapping Training and workshops Project management of research programmes Facilitating demonstrator and proof-of-concept programmes.
Although GCT is a broad area, catalysis lies very much at its heart. Specific catalysis-related activity includes an application for a multimillion Euro “Integrated Project” under Framework 6 on the manufacture and use of sustainable polymers. To ensure a long-term supply of qualified individuals, Crystal has allocated five catalysis CASE studentships in oxychlorination catalysis, epoxidation of unfunctionalised olefins, heteropoly acids, novel catalytic supports, and enantioselective catalysis in supercritical CO2. Guest editorial by Dr Keith Simons, who will be happy to provide further information. He can be contacted at Crystal Faraday Partnership. Website: www.crystalfaraday.org. Tel: +44 (0)1788 534486. E-mail: [email protected]
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Rare earth markets The global rare earths market is reeling from low prices and awaiting
CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS
A MONTHLY REPORT FROM ALAN E COMYNS MARCH 2003 In this issue
CRYSTAL AND THE FARADAY PARTNERSHIPS
MARKETS AND BUSINESS 1-2 Global lanthanides markets Tenfold growth seen in GTL by 2010
COMPANY NEWS
2-4
Alcoa divests chemicals Genencor buys Rhodia’s enzymes
NEW PLANTS
4
Nano-titania plant for China
NEW TECHNOLOGY
4-7
Titania will cool buildings Methanol-to-propylene Low cost syngas from natural gas
ENVIRONMENT
7
Enzymatic fixation of carbon
PATENTS
7-8
BOOKSHELF
8
EVENTS
8
The Crystal Faraday Partnership is a UK government-backed (DTI), not-forprofit organisation with the IChemE, RSC, and CIA as hub partners. On 1st March 2003 it was “spun out” to become a limited company. Twenty four Faraday Partnerships work in subjects identified by “Foresight” priorities and the technology needs of a knowledge-driven economy. Crystal is aimed at promoting improved interactions between the UK science, engineering, and technology base with a focus on Green Chemical Technology for the Chemical and Allied Industries. In practice, as the market place is global, the activities are not geographically restricted and international collaboration is undertaken (for the benefit of UK plc). Chemical catalysis is at the heart of Crystal’s activities, biocatalysis being served by the ProBio Faraday Partnership. The challenge facing Crystal is to best serve the needs of all stakeholders in the catalysis community. “Technology Translators” perform industry visits, identifying key technology gaps and, where necessary, directing public funding to address these needs by allocating EPSRC money. Moreover, Crystal offers various services within the remit of Green Chemical Technology (GCT), including:
•
Facilitating participation in both large (eg LINK and EU Framework 6) and small (eg CASE) research programmes, as well as other
• • • •
government schemes such as Teaching Company Scheme and the International Technology Service Technology roadmapping Training and workshops Project management of research programmes Facilitating demonstrator and proof-of-concept programmes.
Although GCT is a broad area, catalysis lies very much at its heart. Specific catalysis-related activity includes an application for a multimillion Euro “Integrated Project” under Framework 6 on the manufacture and use of sustainable polymers. To ensure a long-term supply of qualified individuals, Crystal has allocated five catalysis CASE studentships in oxychlorination catalysis, epoxidation of unfunctionalised olefins, heteropoly acids, novel catalytic supports, and enantioselective catalysis in supercritical CO2. Guest editorial by Dr Keith Simons, who will be happy to provide further information. He can be contacted at Crystal Faraday Partnership. Website: www.crystalfaraday.org. Tel: +44 (0)1788 534486. E-mail: [email protected]
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Rare earth markets The global rare earths market is reeling from low prices and awaiting
CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS