GSPI completes purchase of two ‘super ethanol’ plants and continues building its biodiesel plant

F O C U S development and production of pharmaceutical intermediates. AHF integrates the introduction of versatile aldehyde functionality with the formation of a chiral centre. Dow’s new generation of chiral bisphosphite ligands is claimed to expand the scope of the technology beyond the vinylarene substrates. Manufacturing Chemist, Jun 2003, 74 (6), 6

Eastman, Avantium extend R&D deal Eastman Chemical and Avantium Technologies have extended a 2001 collaboration deal focused on the discovery of new and better catalytic systems for Eastman’s speciality chemical products. The project will exploit Avantium’s abilities in the combination of parallel reactor technology and advanced screening tools for catalysts discovery and optimization. Chemical Week, 18 Jun 2003, 165 (22), 8 & European Chemical News, 23 Jun 2003, 78 (2058), 25 & Chemical Market Reporter, 16 Jun 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

ExxonMobil, CP Chem sign PE pact ExxonMobil Chemical and Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem) have signed a cross-licensing agreement for slurry-loop PE process technology. CP Chem will become the exclusive licensor of slurry-loop HDPE/LLDPE technology developed by the two companies, and ExxonMobil will have the right to use Chevron’s technology in Baton Rouge, LA, and at other sites. The cross-licensed technology is adaptable to advanced catalysts, including metallocenes and dual-site catalyst systems used to make singlereactor bimodal resins. Chemical and Engineering News, 2 Jun 2003, 81 (22), 15

Sumitomo licenses metallocenes from ExxonMobil Patents from ExxonMobil Chemical covering production and use of a metallocene catalyst system developed by Sumitomo Chemical for use in its solution-process plant at Chiba in Japan are to be licensed by Sumitomo. An amorphous copolymer of propylene with undisclosed comonomers is produced by the catalyst. Chemical Week, 11 Jun 2003, 165 (21), 25

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FMC technologies and Accentus forms GTL jv

OM Group to sell precious metals group for $750 M

A new gas-to-liquids (GTL) jv, called GTL Microsystems, has been established by FMC Technologies of Houston and Accentus of the UK. The jv will focus on the commercial development of GTL technology. The new company is hopeful that its GTL technology will enable the monetisation of gas reserves as low as 10 M cu ft/day, or equal to 1000 bbl/day at lower capital cost than other large-scale plants.

Umicore of Belgium is to acquire OM Group’s precious metals business for €643 M ($752 M) cash. The deal is expected to be concluded by end Jul 2003. The precious metals business sale includes automotive catalysts, fuel cells, precious metals chemistry, technical materials, jewellery, electroplating, and metals management. In 2002, the precious metals business achieved sales of $4.4 bn and operating profit of $78 M. OM Group will use proceeds from the sale to reduce debt, which is estimated at $1.2 bn at the end of 2Q 2003. OM Group announced an anticipated shortfall in earnings for 2Q 2003 of 3 cents per share.

Petroleum Review, Jun 2003, 57 (677), 9 (The Institute of Petroleum, 61 New Cavendish St, London W1M 8AR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)207 467 7118/9. Fax: +44 (0)207 637 0086. Website: http://www.petroleum.co.uk)

GSPI completes purchase of two ‘super ethanol’ plants and continues building its biodiesel plant. Green Star Products Inc (GSPI) has recently completed the purchase of two commercial ‘super ethanol’ plants. GSPI originally purchased a 60% equity position in the two ‘super ethanol’ plants in Nov 2002. Since that time, GSPI has been negotiating to acquire the balance of 40% ownership. The facilities are located in Kentucky. The purchase agreement also includes the acquisition of 100% of the intellectual property to produce ‘super ethanol’. Press release from: Green Star Products Inc, 858, Third Avenue, 455 Chula Vista, CA 91911-1305, USA. Tel: +1 619 409 8977. Fax: +1 619 409 9598. Website: http://www.baat.com (10 Jun 2003)

JM combines chemicals and Synetix businesses Following Johnson Matthey’s acquisition of Synetix from ICI in Nov 2002, JM’s Chemicals business has now been combined with Synetix as the Process Catalysts and Technologies business of Johnson Matthey. These catalysts businesses will trade under the new name of Johnson Matthey Catalysts. Press release from: Johnson Matthey plc, PO Box 1, Belasis Avenue, Billingham, Cleveland, TS23 1LB, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1642 553601. Fax: +44 (0)1642 522542. Website: http://www.jmcatalysts.com)(4 Jun 2003) & Chemical Week, 11 Jun 2003, 165 (21), 7 & European Chemical News, 16 Jun 2003, 78 (2057), 29 & Chemical Market Reporter, 16 Jun 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

Chemical Market Reporter, 9 Jun 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & European Chemical News, 9 Jun 2003, 78 (2056), 9 &Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Jun 2003, 81 (23), 12

Rentech continues its GTL licensing spree Rentech of Denver, CO, continues to find new licensees for its gas to liquids (GTL) technology, recently forging a fact with GTL Energy of Australia to study the feasibility of different routes to GTL production in Australia. GTL Energy plans to tap the technology in the Sedan project, which includes an integrated GTL plant and combined cycle power plant that yields 6000 bbl/day of synthetic diesel. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jun 2003, (263), 10,12

Brussels okays Scientific Design deal The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Scientific Design from Linde by a jv of Sabic and Süd-Chemie. Scientific Design supplies catalysts and process technologies for petrochemicals. Chemical Week, 18 Jun 2003, 165 (22), 20

Shell Chemicals installs Catscan to improve catalyst performance CRI Catalyst Co (CRI) and Pavilion Technologies Inc have completed the installation of their Catscan catalyst performance modelling system at Shell Chemicals Canada Ltd (Shell

AUGUST 2003