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Novozymes rolls out new lipase for cold wash temperatures
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24/5/02 10:06 am
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F O C U S Sumitomo uses new metallocene catalyst in LDPE plant Sumitomo Chemical plans to use a new metallocene catalyst for the production of LDPE, in an existing plant, starting Oct 2002. The company is to close two solvent-based polypropylene plants (combined capacity 80,000 tonne/y) and will debottleneck two other PP lines (from 270,000 to 350,000 tonne/y). Japan Chemical Week, 11 Apr 2002, 43 (2167), 1
Titan Petrochemicals to produce cutting edge resins Malaysian leading petrochemicals and polymer producer, Titan Petrochemicals & Polymers Bhd (Titan), is about to manufacture advanced metallocene polyethylene resins, which are likely to be available by Sep 2002. At present, Malaysia imports metallocene polyethylene from Japan and the US. Titan, which will be the first company to produce metallocene polyethylene in South East Asia, will be able to meet both the domestic and international demands, and hence further substitute the imports besides increasing the foreign exchange earnings. Meanwhile, the Titan group has entered into a supply agreement with Univation Technologies LLC for the necessary metallocene catalyst. Johor-based Titan group is a jv between US-based Chao Group International and Permodalan National Bhd. The Star, 16 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Novozymes rolls out new lipase for cold wash temperatures Novozymes has launched Lipex (lipase, active at 20°C, can be used with linear alkylbenzene sulfonates) into the detergent enzymes market. Product launch is imminent in the USA and due in Europe in 2H 2002. Novozyme’s sales of technical enzymes fell 3% in 2001 due to competition and pricing pressure. The company plans to launch new proteases and cellulases into the detergent enzymes market. Chemical Market Reporter, 29 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.chemexpo.com/cmronline)
JUNE 2002
O N
C ATA LY S T S
ENVIRONMENT Ford Motor Co intends to use rare earth oxides with PGMs in auto catalysts Ford Motor Co intends to utilise rare earth oxides with platinum group metals (PGMs) in North American auto catalysts in its 2003 automobile models. The use of PGMs is expected to be reduced by 50% with the new converters starting in 2002. The company also intends to offer surplus palladium stocks, an announcement which led to a $27/troy oz decline in palladium prices. Elements, 1 May 2002, 3 (5) (Website http://www.rareearthsmarketplace.com)
Showa Denko develops anaesthetic waste gas disposal system Anesclean is the first disposal system for waste anaesthetic gases in hospitals worldwide. Developed by Showa Denko in conjunction with the Department of Anaesthesiology at Kyushu University, the system uses a catalyst to decompose the mixture of waste nitrous oxide and volatile halogenated ether derivatives. Nitrous oxide is decomposed and removed and the volatile anaesthetics are absorbed. Nitrogen oxides are not generated during the process. Marketing of the system will be carried out by Showa Engineering Co Ltd, with sales starting in Sep 2002. After five years, sales are forecast at Yen 1 bn/y. Showa Denko holds 50% of Japan’s market for nitrous oxide for medical use.
pesticides has been found by a group of Californian researchers. A genetically altered version of E coli contains an organophosphate consuming enzyme isolated from soil microbes. A genetic variation of the enzyme consumes methyl parathion many times faster than the original enzyme. Commercial versions of the enzymes, not the microbes themselves, would find use in the clean up of contaminated sites. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 22 Apr 2002, 30 (26), 27
Danisco’s seaweed-based enzyme A new enzyme derived from seaweed, hexose oxidase, has been launched by Danisco to replace ascorbic acid and bromate in the production of bread. It can also be used in the production of cheese. Sales of up to DKR 100 M are expected within five years. The enzyme has received FDA approval in the US and has been patented in several other countries. Chemical Week, 24 Apr 2002, 164 (17), 29
PATENTS Microwave heating speeds silicalite synthesis Silicalites having the same physical and catalytic properties as those made hydrothermally can be made in minutes (rather than hours or days) if microwave heating is used. US 6,387,349, 14 May 2002, CSIR, Hyderabad, India
Pharma Japan, 29 Apr 2002, (1793), 24-25
Oxidation of aromatics to phenol and/or cresols
Smopex scavenger: from Johnson Matthey
A Russian invention assigned to GEC. Nitrous oxide is the oxidant, catalysed by a high-silica catalyst containing zinc.
Johnson Matthey has launched a precious metal scavenging system named Smopex, to completely remove low levels of precious metals from catalytic processes. This enables the metal to be recovered efficiently and rapidly. European Chemical News, 29 Apr 2002, 76 (2003), 26
Enzyme destroys pesticides An alternative method of disposal of waste from organophosphate
US 6,388,145, 14 May 2002, General Electric Co, Schenectady, USA
Hydroformylation in the presence of a crown ether Hydroformylation of C3 – C12 olefins, catalysed by a rhodium complex with a sulfonated triphenyl phosphine, is improved if a crown ether is added to the aqueous phase. US 6,388,142, 14 May 2002, Celanese Chemicals Europe, Germany
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24/5/02 10:06 am
Page 7
(Black plate)
F O C U S Sumitomo uses new metallocene catalyst in LDPE plant Sumitomo Chemical plans to use a new metallocene catalyst for the production of LDPE, in an existing plant, starting Oct 2002. The company is to close two solvent-based polypropylene plants (combined capacity 80,000 tonne/y) and will debottleneck two other PP lines (from 270,000 to 350,000 tonne/y). Japan Chemical Week, 11 Apr 2002, 43 (2167), 1
Titan Petrochemicals to produce cutting edge resins Malaysian leading petrochemicals and polymer producer, Titan Petrochemicals & Polymers Bhd (Titan), is about to manufacture advanced metallocene polyethylene resins, which are likely to be available by Sep 2002. At present, Malaysia imports metallocene polyethylene from Japan and the US. Titan, which will be the first company to produce metallocene polyethylene in South East Asia, will be able to meet both the domestic and international demands, and hence further substitute the imports besides increasing the foreign exchange earnings. Meanwhile, the Titan group has entered into a supply agreement with Univation Technologies LLC for the necessary metallocene catalyst. Johor-based Titan group is a jv between US-based Chao Group International and Permodalan National Bhd. The Star, 16 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Novozymes rolls out new lipase for cold wash temperatures Novozymes has launched Lipex (lipase, active at 20°C, can be used with linear alkylbenzene sulfonates) into the detergent enzymes market. Product launch is imminent in the USA and due in Europe in 2H 2002. Novozyme’s sales of technical enzymes fell 3% in 2001 due to competition and pricing pressure. The company plans to launch new proteases and cellulases into the detergent enzymes market. Chemical Market Reporter, 29 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.chemexpo.com/cmronline)
JUNE 2002
O N
C ATA LY S T S
ENVIRONMENT Ford Motor Co intends to use rare earth oxides with PGMs in auto catalysts Ford Motor Co intends to utilise rare earth oxides with platinum group metals (PGMs) in North American auto catalysts in its 2003 automobile models. The use of PGMs is expected to be reduced by 50% with the new converters starting in 2002. The company also intends to offer surplus palladium stocks, an announcement which led to a $27/troy oz decline in palladium prices. Elements, 1 May 2002, 3 (5) (Website http://www.rareearthsmarketplace.com)
Showa Denko develops anaesthetic waste gas disposal system Anesclean is the first disposal system for waste anaesthetic gases in hospitals worldwide. Developed by Showa Denko in conjunction with the Department of Anaesthesiology at Kyushu University, the system uses a catalyst to decompose the mixture of waste nitrous oxide and volatile halogenated ether derivatives. Nitrous oxide is decomposed and removed and the volatile anaesthetics are absorbed. Nitrogen oxides are not generated during the process. Marketing of the system will be carried out by Showa Engineering Co Ltd, with sales starting in Sep 2002. After five years, sales are forecast at Yen 1 bn/y. Showa Denko holds 50% of Japan’s market for nitrous oxide for medical use.
pesticides has been found by a group of Californian researchers. A genetically altered version of E coli contains an organophosphate consuming enzyme isolated from soil microbes. A genetic variation of the enzyme consumes methyl parathion many times faster than the original enzyme. Commercial versions of the enzymes, not the microbes themselves, would find use in the clean up of contaminated sites. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 22 Apr 2002, 30 (26), 27
Danisco’s seaweed-based enzyme A new enzyme derived from seaweed, hexose oxidase, has been launched by Danisco to replace ascorbic acid and bromate in the production of bread. It can also be used in the production of cheese. Sales of up to DKR 100 M are expected within five years. The enzyme has received FDA approval in the US and has been patented in several other countries. Chemical Week, 24 Apr 2002, 164 (17), 29
PATENTS Microwave heating speeds silicalite synthesis Silicalites having the same physical and catalytic properties as those made hydrothermally can be made in minutes (rather than hours or days) if microwave heating is used. US 6,387,349, 14 May 2002, CSIR, Hyderabad, India
Pharma Japan, 29 Apr 2002, (1793), 24-25
Oxidation of aromatics to phenol and/or cresols
Smopex scavenger: from Johnson Matthey
A Russian invention assigned to GEC. Nitrous oxide is the oxidant, catalysed by a high-silica catalyst containing zinc.
Johnson Matthey has launched a precious metal scavenging system named Smopex, to completely remove low levels of precious metals from catalytic processes. This enables the metal to be recovered efficiently and rapidly. European Chemical News, 29 Apr 2002, 76 (2003), 26
Enzyme destroys pesticides An alternative method of disposal of waste from organophosphate
US 6,388,145, 14 May 2002, General Electric Co, Schenectady, USA
Hydroformylation in the presence of a crown ether Hydroformylation of C3 – C12 olefins, catalysed by a rhodium complex with a sulfonated triphenyl phosphine, is improved if a crown ether is added to the aqueous phase. US 6,388,142, 14 May 2002, Celanese Chemicals Europe, Germany
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