- Email: [email protected]
Diversa reports financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2006
FOCUS dioxide emissions by 15%. Hydrogen fuel cells are also a potential growing market. Companies operating in this market include PolyFuel. QuantumSphere is developing fuel cell catalysts which use alternative metals such as nickel instead of the more commonly used platinum. Catalytic Solutions and Nanophase are two other companies operating in this sector. The catalysts market is estimated at $20 bn. Nanotech Report (Forbes/Wolfe), Jul 2006, 5 (7), 1-3 (Website: http://wwww.forbesnanotech.com)
COMPANY NEWS Aker Kvaerner confirms Meteor EG awards in China Aker Kvaerner announced that it has been commissioned to set up two ethylene oxide-ethylene glycol (EOEG) facilities based on Dow Chemical’s Meteor process, in China. Aker Kvaerner’s contract involves engineering support in developing the project’s process design packages, as well as extended process design packages. Under the terms of the deal, Sinopec subsidiaries Sinopec Tianjin Co and Zhenhai Refining & Chemical will construct a 420,000 tonne/y EG facility at Tianjin and a 650,000 tonne/y EG unit at Ningbo, respectively. Chemical Week, 2 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
BASF signs R&D agreement with NanoMaterials Technology BASF has signed a one-year R&D agreement with Singapore-based NanoMaterials Technology Pte Ltd (NMT), a company that develops and commercialises reduction technologies for nanomaterials. The collaboration will focus on nanoparticle synthesis and application development. In this collaboration, BASF will use NMT’s technology for producing stabilized and agglomeratefree zinc oxide nanosuspensions, with particle sizes well below 20 nanometres. These small particles are used for further treatment to obtain tailor-made functionalities for a broad
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range of technical applications (catalysts, polymers, pigments, etc). NMT will be working with BASF’s Competence Center for Nanostructured Surfaces, which was set up in Singapore in Apr 2006 to concentrate on nanostructured surface modification. NanoMaterials Technology Pte Ltd, founded in Apr 2000, is a Singapore company that specialises in the development and commercialisation of production technologies for nanomaterials. Press release from: BASF, 100 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA. Tel: +1 800 526 1072. Website: http://www.basf.com (10 Aug 2006)
Catalytica Energy Systems 2Q and 1H 2006 Catalytica Energy Systems Inc has reported on recent developments (during 2Q and 1H 2006). In Jul 2006, Catalytica Energy Systems announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of its Xonon Cool Combustion technology and associated gas turbine assets to Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd for $2.1 M. This transaction is expected to be completed during 3Q 2006, subject to customary closing conditions, the delivery of assets, and the securing of certain consents from government agencies. Catalytica Energy Systems expects to receive approximately $1.9 M in net cash proceeds from the sale. Press release from: Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, 430 Ferguson Drive, Bldg 3, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Tel: +1 650 960 3000. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (10 Aug 2006)
Diversa reports financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2006 Diversa Corp reported financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2006. Revenues for 2Q 2006 were $10.6 M and for 1H 2006 were $20.1 M ($14.2 M in 2Q 2005 and $27 M in 1H 2005). The net loss, including restructuring charges of $10.8 M was $7.8 M for 2Q 2006 and $29.2 M for 1H 2006 (net loss of $11 M in 2Q 2005 and $23 M in 1H 2005). R&D expenses for 2Q 2006 were $12.453 M ($18.308 M in 2Q 2005) and for 1H 2006 were $26.514 M ($37.858 M in 1H 2005). The company expects 2006 total revenue to be between $48 and $52 M, with product-related revenue of $15 to $18 M. The company
expects its net loss for 2006 to be between $39 and $42 M as compared to $89.7 M in 2005. San Diego-based Diversa Corp has pioneered the development of high-performance speciality enzymes. The company possesses the world’s broadest array of enzymes derived from bio-diverse environments as well as patented DirectEvolution technologies. Diversa Corp 2Q and 1H 2006 results, 2 Aug 2006 (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)
Dow makes new flexible olefin block copolymers Dow Chemical Co has employed its proprietary Insite catalyst technology to develop Infuse, a new range of flexible olefin block copolymers. A new polymerization component used in the new grades enables the blending of soft blocks of flexible polymer with hard blocks of highmelting point polymer in a continuous process. The end material exhibits elastic properties at a temperature range of –60°C to more than +100°C. Infuse delivers performance features comparable to that of styrene block copolymers and improved processing properties, including reduced cycle times, as well as enhanced abrasion resistance, and superior compression set properties at both room and elevated temperature levels. Potential applications include elastic fibres and films, adhesives and tapes, flexible moulded products, and profile extruded goods. Dow Chemical is currently delivering samples of Infuse olefin block copolymers to select enduser firms from a pre-market manufacturing unit at its facility in Freeport, TX. Commercial grades are slated to be rolled out later in 2006. The company has partnered with Japan-based Mitsui Chemicals to develop catalysts systems for use in olefin block copolymers, under a joint research contract. High Performance Plastics, Aug 2006, 2,3
Engelhard renamed BASF Catalysts Engelhard, BASF’s newly acquired subsidiary, will operate under a new corporate name BASF Catalysts, effective 1 Aug 2006, initially in the
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COMPANY NEWS Aker Kvaerner confirms Meteor EG awards in China Aker Kvaerner announced that it has been commissioned to set up two ethylene oxide-ethylene glycol (EOEG) facilities based on Dow Chemical’s Meteor process, in China. Aker Kvaerner’s contract involves engineering support in developing the project’s process design packages, as well as extended process design packages. Under the terms of the deal, Sinopec subsidiaries Sinopec Tianjin Co and Zhenhai Refining & Chemical will construct a 420,000 tonne/y EG facility at Tianjin and a 650,000 tonne/y EG unit at Ningbo, respectively. Chemical Week, 2 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
BASF signs R&D agreement with NanoMaterials Technology BASF has signed a one-year R&D agreement with Singapore-based NanoMaterials Technology Pte Ltd (NMT), a company that develops and commercialises reduction technologies for nanomaterials. The collaboration will focus on nanoparticle synthesis and application development. In this collaboration, BASF will use NMT’s technology for producing stabilized and agglomeratefree zinc oxide nanosuspensions, with particle sizes well below 20 nanometres. These small particles are used for further treatment to obtain tailor-made functionalities for a broad
OCTOBER 2006
ON
C ATA LY S T S
range of technical applications (catalysts, polymers, pigments, etc). NMT will be working with BASF’s Competence Center for Nanostructured Surfaces, which was set up in Singapore in Apr 2006 to concentrate on nanostructured surface modification. NanoMaterials Technology Pte Ltd, founded in Apr 2000, is a Singapore company that specialises in the development and commercialisation of production technologies for nanomaterials. Press release from: BASF, 100 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA. Tel: +1 800 526 1072. Website: http://www.basf.com (10 Aug 2006)
Catalytica Energy Systems 2Q and 1H 2006 Catalytica Energy Systems Inc has reported on recent developments (during 2Q and 1H 2006). In Jul 2006, Catalytica Energy Systems announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of its Xonon Cool Combustion technology and associated gas turbine assets to Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd for $2.1 M. This transaction is expected to be completed during 3Q 2006, subject to customary closing conditions, the delivery of assets, and the securing of certain consents from government agencies. Catalytica Energy Systems expects to receive approximately $1.9 M in net cash proceeds from the sale. Press release from: Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, 430 Ferguson Drive, Bldg 3, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Tel: +1 650 960 3000. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (10 Aug 2006)
Diversa reports financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2006 Diversa Corp reported financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2006. Revenues for 2Q 2006 were $10.6 M and for 1H 2006 were $20.1 M ($14.2 M in 2Q 2005 and $27 M in 1H 2005). The net loss, including restructuring charges of $10.8 M was $7.8 M for 2Q 2006 and $29.2 M for 1H 2006 (net loss of $11 M in 2Q 2005 and $23 M in 1H 2005). R&D expenses for 2Q 2006 were $12.453 M ($18.308 M in 2Q 2005) and for 1H 2006 were $26.514 M ($37.858 M in 1H 2005). The company expects 2006 total revenue to be between $48 and $52 M, with product-related revenue of $15 to $18 M. The company
expects its net loss for 2006 to be between $39 and $42 M as compared to $89.7 M in 2005. San Diego-based Diversa Corp has pioneered the development of high-performance speciality enzymes. The company possesses the world’s broadest array of enzymes derived from bio-diverse environments as well as patented DirectEvolution technologies. Diversa Corp 2Q and 1H 2006 results, 2 Aug 2006 (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)
Dow makes new flexible olefin block copolymers Dow Chemical Co has employed its proprietary Insite catalyst technology to develop Infuse, a new range of flexible olefin block copolymers. A new polymerization component used in the new grades enables the blending of soft blocks of flexible polymer with hard blocks of highmelting point polymer in a continuous process. The end material exhibits elastic properties at a temperature range of –60°C to more than +100°C. Infuse delivers performance features comparable to that of styrene block copolymers and improved processing properties, including reduced cycle times, as well as enhanced abrasion resistance, and superior compression set properties at both room and elevated temperature levels. Potential applications include elastic fibres and films, adhesives and tapes, flexible moulded products, and profile extruded goods. Dow Chemical is currently delivering samples of Infuse olefin block copolymers to select enduser firms from a pre-market manufacturing unit at its facility in Freeport, TX. Commercial grades are slated to be rolled out later in 2006. The company has partnered with Japan-based Mitsui Chemicals to develop catalysts systems for use in olefin block copolymers, under a joint research contract. High Performance Plastics, Aug 2006, 2,3
Engelhard renamed BASF Catalysts Engelhard, BASF’s newly acquired subsidiary, will operate under a new corporate name BASF Catalysts, effective 1 Aug 2006, initially in the
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