- Email: [email protected]
Johnson Matthey to build auto catalyst facility in Korea
C ATA LY S T S Engelhard acquires adsorbents business from Almatis Almatis has sold its adsorbents and catalyst business, including manufacturing and product development facilities at Vidalia and Port Allen, LA, to Engelhard for an undisclosed amount. The alumina-based products will complement Engelhard’s inorganic and silica adsorbents and catalysts portfolio, and improve its position in purification adsorbents for the petrochemical, petroleum refining, and hydrogen peroxide markets. Chemical Week, 14 Sep 2005, 167 (30), 4 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & European Chemical News, 19 Sep 2005, 83 (2163), 10 & Chemical Market Reporter, 12 Sep 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 19 Sep 2005, (18), 12 (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 19 Sep 2005, (311), 11 (in French)
Engelhard buys Chinese syngas catalyst business Nanjing Chemical Industry Corp (NCIC) has sold its syngas catalyst business to Engelhard Corp for an undisclosed amount. The agreement covers NCIC’s syngas business operations, catalyst technology, and Nanjing-based manufacturing assets. NCIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinopec, one of the biggest integrated energy and chemical firms in China. Given the higher worldwide demand for cleaner fuels, Engelhard believes there is a need for reliable technology solutions based on abundant natural gas. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul/Aug 2005, (276), 6
Mitsui Chemicals to enter photochemical titania market Mitsui Chemicals has established a market development team for photochemical titania and intends to start selling in 2H 2006. It has developed a highly-active product which works under indoor fluorescent lighting. It will even remove odours and toxic gases from air in the dark. Japan Chemical Week, 15 Sep 2005, 46 (2334), 2
Nippon Inorganic strengthens heteropoly acid compounds exports Nippon Inorganic Colour & Chemical plans to increase exports of its heteropoly acid compounds (used as catalysts in organic synthesis) to
4
Europe from 10% to 50% of its business. Sales of its molybdenum and tungsten compounds are increasing. For fiscal 2004 (ends 31 Mar 2005) the company reported sales of Yen 3.6 bn (+220%) and ordinary profits up 20%. Japan Chemical Week, 22 Sep 2005, 46 (2335), 5
Novozymes: very satisfactory earnings in 1H 2005 For Novozymes, net turnover in 1H 2005 was DKR 3037 M, 3% more than for 1H 2004. Operating profit rose by 15% to DKR 597 M, of which DKR 583 M relates to enzymes and DKR 14 M to microorganisms. The operating profit margin rose to 19.7% (17.6% for 2004). Profit before tax rose by 25% to DKR 589 M. Net financial costs totalled DKR 8 M (DKR 50 M in 2004). Earnings per share rose by 3% to DKR 6.5. Sales of technical enzymes rose by 2% in 1H 2005 to DKR 1789 M, although sales of detergent enzymes were 4% lower than for 1H 2004. Sales of other technical enzymes increased by 9%. Sales of food enzymes rose by 8% to DKR 752 M. Sales to the baking industry grew healthily, although some of this growth appears to relate to stock building. Sales of feed enzymes fell by 1% to DKR 340 M. Sales of microorganisms fell by 5% to DKR 156 M. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2005, (2), 6-7 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Novozymes wins technology leadership award for biofuels achievement Novozymes received the 2005 Technology Leadership of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan in the field of alternative fuel technologies for its pioneering research to reduce the enzyme cost for biomass-based fuel ethanol. Because of Novozymes’ work, enzymes are no longer the main economic barrier to the commercialization of biomass technology that could help reduce dependency on non-renewable and petroleum-based energy and raw material sources. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, DK-2880, Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 88 24 9999. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 Jul 2005)
New challenges for detergent enzymes Novozymes supplies enzymes to virtually every detergent manufacturer. After flat growth in 2003 and 2004, the company expects to see slight positive growth in 2005 despite difficult market conditions. Novozymes has nevertheless gained ground, increasing its market share during the period in the face of stiff competition. The company’s product range has been strengthened with several new products, the most important being Polarzyme and Stainzyme. Enzymes currently account for 5% of detergent manufacturers’ feedstock costs. Novozymes is looking the increase this figure by developing enzymes that can replace some of the surfactants that currently make up 30-40% of these costs. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2005, (2), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Süd-Chemie shareholders keep rejecting bid A revised takeover bid of EUR 35 /share made for Süd-Chemie by One Equity Partners, New York, has been overwhelmingly rejected by the company’s shareholders representing 61% of the company. Three institutional shareholders with a combined stake of 39% had voted to accept the offer. Chemical Week, 7 Sep 2005, 167 (29), 5 & European Chemical News, 26 Sep 2005, 83 (2164), 10
NEW PLANTS Johnson Matthey to build auto catalyst facility in Korea A new emission-control catalyst manufacturing plant is to be built by Johnson Matthey at Jangan, Gyeonggi, South Korea. It will house both R&D and engine emission testing facilities. Chemical Week, 14 Sep 2005, 167 (30), 4 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 19 Sep 2005, (18), 12 (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Chemical and Engineering News, 19 Sep 2005, 83 (38), 13-14 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
NOVEMBER 2005
Engelhard buys Chinese syngas catalyst business Nanjing Chemical Industry Corp (NCIC) has sold its syngas catalyst business to Engelhard Corp for an undisclosed amount. The agreement covers NCIC’s syngas business operations, catalyst technology, and Nanjing-based manufacturing assets. NCIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinopec, one of the biggest integrated energy and chemical firms in China. Given the higher worldwide demand for cleaner fuels, Engelhard believes there is a need for reliable technology solutions based on abundant natural gas. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul/Aug 2005, (276), 6
Mitsui Chemicals to enter photochemical titania market Mitsui Chemicals has established a market development team for photochemical titania and intends to start selling in 2H 2006. It has developed a highly-active product which works under indoor fluorescent lighting. It will even remove odours and toxic gases from air in the dark. Japan Chemical Week, 15 Sep 2005, 46 (2334), 2
Nippon Inorganic strengthens heteropoly acid compounds exports Nippon Inorganic Colour & Chemical plans to increase exports of its heteropoly acid compounds (used as catalysts in organic synthesis) to
4
Europe from 10% to 50% of its business. Sales of its molybdenum and tungsten compounds are increasing. For fiscal 2004 (ends 31 Mar 2005) the company reported sales of Yen 3.6 bn (+220%) and ordinary profits up 20%. Japan Chemical Week, 22 Sep 2005, 46 (2335), 5
Novozymes: very satisfactory earnings in 1H 2005 For Novozymes, net turnover in 1H 2005 was DKR 3037 M, 3% more than for 1H 2004. Operating profit rose by 15% to DKR 597 M, of which DKR 583 M relates to enzymes and DKR 14 M to microorganisms. The operating profit margin rose to 19.7% (17.6% for 2004). Profit before tax rose by 25% to DKR 589 M. Net financial costs totalled DKR 8 M (DKR 50 M in 2004). Earnings per share rose by 3% to DKR 6.5. Sales of technical enzymes rose by 2% in 1H 2005 to DKR 1789 M, although sales of detergent enzymes were 4% lower than for 1H 2004. Sales of other technical enzymes increased by 9%. Sales of food enzymes rose by 8% to DKR 752 M. Sales to the baking industry grew healthily, although some of this growth appears to relate to stock building. Sales of feed enzymes fell by 1% to DKR 340 M. Sales of microorganisms fell by 5% to DKR 156 M. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2005, (2), 6-7 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Novozymes wins technology leadership award for biofuels achievement Novozymes received the 2005 Technology Leadership of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan in the field of alternative fuel technologies for its pioneering research to reduce the enzyme cost for biomass-based fuel ethanol. Because of Novozymes’ work, enzymes are no longer the main economic barrier to the commercialization of biomass technology that could help reduce dependency on non-renewable and petroleum-based energy and raw material sources. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, DK-2880, Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 88 24 9999. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 Jul 2005)
New challenges for detergent enzymes Novozymes supplies enzymes to virtually every detergent manufacturer. After flat growth in 2003 and 2004, the company expects to see slight positive growth in 2005 despite difficult market conditions. Novozymes has nevertheless gained ground, increasing its market share during the period in the face of stiff competition. The company’s product range has been strengthened with several new products, the most important being Polarzyme and Stainzyme. Enzymes currently account for 5% of detergent manufacturers’ feedstock costs. Novozymes is looking the increase this figure by developing enzymes that can replace some of the surfactants that currently make up 30-40% of these costs. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2005, (2), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Süd-Chemie shareholders keep rejecting bid A revised takeover bid of EUR 35 /share made for Süd-Chemie by One Equity Partners, New York, has been overwhelmingly rejected by the company’s shareholders representing 61% of the company. Three institutional shareholders with a combined stake of 39% had voted to accept the offer. Chemical Week, 7 Sep 2005, 167 (29), 5 & European Chemical News, 26 Sep 2005, 83 (2164), 10
NEW PLANTS Johnson Matthey to build auto catalyst facility in Korea A new emission-control catalyst manufacturing plant is to be built by Johnson Matthey at Jangan, Gyeonggi, South Korea. It will house both R&D and engine emission testing facilities. Chemical Week, 14 Sep 2005, 167 (30), 4 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 19 Sep 2005, (18), 12 (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Chemical and Engineering News, 19 Sep 2005, 83 (38), 13-14 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
NOVEMBER 2005