- Email: [email protected]
Reliance gets award for PDEB process
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chemicals industry, primarily for the synthesis of propylene oxide. Propylene oxide producers are already planning to increase capacity to 25,000 tonne/y each, and each unit will consume 180,000 tonne/y+ of hydrogen peroxide. Degussa and Headwaters have developed a hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide process which will be used at SKC Chemicals’ unit. Degussa will also provide the catalyst (developed in collaboration with Uhde). Upstream, Degussa and Headwaters are also working on a new direct catalytic synthesis technology to replace the anthraquinone process. The new process should be commercially available from 2007.
related revenue for 1Q 2006 increased 63%. The increase in product-related revenue was primarily due to increased sales of Phyzyme XP enzyme sold through the company’s collaboration with Danisco Animal Nutrition. R&D expenses were $14.061 M during 1Q 2006 ($19.550 M in 1Q 2005). Based upon progress with recently launched products, and consistent with financial guidance provided earlier in 2006, the company expects, for 2006, total revenues of $50 to $55 M, which include about $18 to $20 M of product-related revenues, and a net loss, excluding restructuring charges and non-cash, stock-based compensation charges, of about $20 M.
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 15 May 2006, (340), 8 (in French)
Diversa 1Q 2006 results, 1 May 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)
Uhde to build HPPO plant in S Korea Uhde is to erect a propylene oxide (PO) plant at Ulsan for S Korean company SKC that will use a new Degussa process. The 100,000 ton/y unit is due onstream in early 2008 and will be the first commercial-scale plant using the process. The propylene oxide is made from hydrogen peroxide and propylene (HPPO). DegussaHeadwaters Korea, will supply the hydrogen peroxide. The jv is to acquire Kemira’s hydrogen peroxide plant at Ulsan and double its 34,000 ton/y capacity. Uhde and Degussa say the new process is a more cost-effective alternative to conventional PO production processes, as capital investment costs are lower and, apart from water, no significant quantities of byproducts result. Chemical Market Reporter, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & ICIS Chemical Business, 22 May 2006, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Week, 17 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemical and Engineering News, 15 May 2006, 84 (20), 21-22 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Diversa reports financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2006 Diversa Corp reported financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2006. Revenues for 1Q 2006 were $9.5 M ($12.8 M in 1Q 2005). The net loss for 1Q 2006, including restructuring charges of $11 M, was $21.4 M (net loss of $12 M in 1Q 2005). Product-
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DuPont gains patents for Versipol DuPont has secured the patents for Gavilan catalyst and polyolefin technology from Eastman Chemical. The newly acquired patents add to DuPont’s Versipol catalyst system, which covers late transition metal catalyst lines that create highly branched to exceptionally linear ethylene homopolymers and linear alpha olefins. ICIS Chemical Business, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Market Reporter, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
MRPL seeking technology Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) is on the lookout for potential technology partners for its refinery expansion and aromatics project in India. The Rup 48.52 bn (€857.34 M) aromatics complex, under a jv with parent company Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), will yield 1 M tonne/y of p-xylene (POX) and 140,000 tonne/y of benzene. MRPL will also pursue a Rup 79.43 bn expansion at its existing refinery in Mangalore to increase the refinery’s crude processing capacity from 9.69 M tonne/y to 15 M tonne/y. The company also seeks a process licence for a 2.1 M tonne/y high severity fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit that will manufacture 300,000
tonne/y of propylene and a significant amount of liquefied petroleum gas. ICIS Chemical Business, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Novozymes Group financial statement for 1Q 2006 Novozymes made a good start to 2006, with growth of 14% in operating profit and 11% in sales for 1Q 2006; outlook for 2006 is maintained. Sales for 1Q 2006 were DKR 1633 M (+11% over DKR 1476 M in 1Q 2005). Net profit for 1Q 2006 increased by 2% to DKR 196 M (DKR 193 M in 1Q 2005). Outlook for 2006: Assuming no change in exchange rates, Novozymes’ outlook for 2006 is maintained. Growth in sales is expected at 7-9% for 2006, equivalent to 6-8% measured in local currency. Growth in operating profit is expected at 7-9%, while the outlook for net profit is expected at 5-7% for 2006. Novozymes 1Q 2006 results: 2006 outlook, 1 May 2006, (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, Bagsvaerd 2880, Denmark. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Reliance Petro, Dow pact gets nod Reliance Petroleum Ltd’s 10-year foreign technology collaboration agreement with Dow Global Technologies for a polypropylene plant at Meghpar village near Lalpur in Gujarat has been approved by the department of chemicals and petrochemicals in India. The plant will have a capacity of 900,000 tonne/y. Under the agreement, Dow Global Technologies will receive a payment of $26.55 M for the plant in four instalments. An option for setting up a catalyst plant with a solvent recovery unit is also provided. The initial capacity of 100 tonne/y may be expanded to 300 tonne/y with the addition of two more plants having a capacity of 100 tonne/y each. Dow will obtain a payment of $14 M for the catalyst technology and $5.2 M for the solvent recovery plant. Dow Global Technologies will supply its UNIPOLPP using the UNIPOL fluidized gas process. Chemical Business (India), Mar 2006, 20 (3), 73-74
Reliance gets award for PDEB process In 2005, Reliance was awarded a Golden Peacock Innovation Award for the development of a process for the production of p-diethylbenzene
JULY 2006
F O C U S (PDEB). The award also covered the manufacture of zeolite-based sulfurselective catalysts. A 3000 tonne/y PDEB unit was commissioned early in 2006 and Reliance has already supplied over 1000 tonnes of PDEB for use in its p-xylene facilities. Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2006, 168 (14 supplement), 17 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
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300,000 tonne propylene oxide plant in Antwerp, Belgium. Construction at the plant will begin in 2006, with commissioning slated in early 2008. The plant will employ the companies’ hydrogen peroxide route to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology. Dow is presently evaluating various options and possible locations for future PO investment.
Grace acquires catalyst assets from Basell
High Performance Plastics, May 2006, 9
WR Grace has acquired the custom catalyst and catalyst components business of Basell USA. It recently acquired the related business, SingleSite Catalysts, LLC.
Süd-Chemie to expand styrene catalyst manufacture in Japan
Press release from: WR Grace, 7500 Grace Drive, Columia, MD 21044. Tel: +1 212 468 3734 (2 Jun 2006) & Chemical & Engineering News, 12 Jun 2006, 84 (24), 20
NEW PLANTS Albemarle breaks ground on hydroprocessing catalyst plant As petroleum fuel refiners face the dual challenge of meeting rising US and global fuel demand and rigorous clean fuels specifications, the need for topperformance hydroprocessing catalysts is greater than ever. Refiners will soon find relief on both fronts from Albemarle. Albemarle Corp recently broke ground on a new 10,000 tonne/y capacity hydroprocessing catalyst (HPC) production plant at its Bayport facility in Pasadena, TX, and set the plant to begin production in 1Q 2007. Albemarle first announced the new plant in 2005 as part of a larger capacity-expansion project to meet growing HPC demand. The company also will add a specialized production line at its Amsterdam site; implement debottlenecking activities at Bayport and Amsterdam; and make additional investments in its laboratories. A third debottlenecking project is being considered for Niihama, as well. Press release from: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (1 Jun 2006)
Dow and BASF sign PO agreement Dow Chemical Co and BASF AG have formed a jv to build a new
JULY 2006
Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan will raise its production capacity for dehydrogenation catalysts by 80% at its Toyama unit, with completion and commissioning slated in Aug 2006. The dehydrogenation catalysts are used principally in the manufacture of styrene monomer from ethyl benzene. Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan, which is Süd-Chemie’s base in the Pacific Asia region, takes a 70% share in the Asian market for dehydrogenation catalysts used for styrene monomer manufacture. Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan produces and distributes principally petrochemical, refinery and environmental catalysts. The company is targeting a 7%/y growth and sales of Yen 22 bn ($188 M) by fiscal 2015. To fulfill this objective, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan is intensifying efforts to develop businesses for its petrochemical catalysts.
organic wastes such as bagasse, rice hulls and wood in addition to corn. BioEnergy has a pipeline of projects in various stages of development representing over 400 M gallons of annual ethanol production. Separately, BioEnergy has obtained exclusive licences for novel biocatalysts and has initiated research to support commercial development of speciality chemicals utilizing these biocatalysts for introduction into the Lake Providence facility in the next few years; thus achieving its goal of becoming a world-scale biorefinery. In addition, BioEnergy has secured an exclusive research agreement with the University of Florida and Dr Lonnie Ingram to develop proprietary technologies to produce biobased speciality chemicals (other than ethanol) from starch and cellulose derived sugars. BioEnergy International LLC headquartered in Norwell, MA, is a privately held, biotechnology company focused on developing biorefineries and proprietary technologies to produce speciality chemicals and renewable fuels from both traditional feedstocks and cellulose. BioEnergy currently has two 108 M gallon/y ethanol plants under development which, over time, will utilize its proprietary technologies to produce high value speciality chemicals and renewable fuels. Press release from: BioEnergy International. Website: http://www.bioenergyinternational.com (8 May 2006)
Japan Chemical Week, 11 May 2006, 47 (2366), 6-7
Perstorp Oxo uses Axens’ biodiesel technology
BioEnergy starts site work on 108 M gallon ethanol project
The Esterfip H biodiesel technology of Axen will be employed by Perstorp Oxo on its planned 160,000 tonne/y unit at Stenungsund, Sweden, with start up slated in 1Q 2007. Biodiesel is based on fatty acid methyl esters derived from the esterification of different vegetable oils, such a soybean, sunflower, or rapeseed oil. The Esterfip H technology, developed by IFP, is designed and marketed by Axens.
BioEnergy International LLC (BioEnergy) has commenced site work on its first biorefinery, a 108 M gallon/y ethanol plant located on land leased from the Lake Providence Port Commission in East Carroll Parish, LA. The plant will be owned by Bionol LLC, a subsidiary of BioEnergy, and is expected to commence full-scale construction early in 4Q 2006. Initially the plant will produce ethanol from corn using conventional technology designed by Delta-T Corp, a leading, innovative designer of alcohol plants, systems and technology. BioEnergy intends to rapidly introduce its proprietary technology to produce fuels and speciality chemicals using
Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2006, 85 (5), 38
Green Star Products to construct total bio-refineries Green Star Products Inc (GSPI) announced its plans to construct total bio-refinery complexes for production of both biodiesel and biomass ethanol
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chemicals industry, primarily for the synthesis of propylene oxide. Propylene oxide producers are already planning to increase capacity to 25,000 tonne/y each, and each unit will consume 180,000 tonne/y+ of hydrogen peroxide. Degussa and Headwaters have developed a hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide process which will be used at SKC Chemicals’ unit. Degussa will also provide the catalyst (developed in collaboration with Uhde). Upstream, Degussa and Headwaters are also working on a new direct catalytic synthesis technology to replace the anthraquinone process. The new process should be commercially available from 2007.
related revenue for 1Q 2006 increased 63%. The increase in product-related revenue was primarily due to increased sales of Phyzyme XP enzyme sold through the company’s collaboration with Danisco Animal Nutrition. R&D expenses were $14.061 M during 1Q 2006 ($19.550 M in 1Q 2005). Based upon progress with recently launched products, and consistent with financial guidance provided earlier in 2006, the company expects, for 2006, total revenues of $50 to $55 M, which include about $18 to $20 M of product-related revenues, and a net loss, excluding restructuring charges and non-cash, stock-based compensation charges, of about $20 M.
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 15 May 2006, (340), 8 (in French)
Diversa 1Q 2006 results, 1 May 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)
Uhde to build HPPO plant in S Korea Uhde is to erect a propylene oxide (PO) plant at Ulsan for S Korean company SKC that will use a new Degussa process. The 100,000 ton/y unit is due onstream in early 2008 and will be the first commercial-scale plant using the process. The propylene oxide is made from hydrogen peroxide and propylene (HPPO). DegussaHeadwaters Korea, will supply the hydrogen peroxide. The jv is to acquire Kemira’s hydrogen peroxide plant at Ulsan and double its 34,000 ton/y capacity. Uhde and Degussa say the new process is a more cost-effective alternative to conventional PO production processes, as capital investment costs are lower and, apart from water, no significant quantities of byproducts result. Chemical Market Reporter, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & ICIS Chemical Business, 22 May 2006, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Week, 17 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemical and Engineering News, 15 May 2006, 84 (20), 21-22 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Diversa reports financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2006 Diversa Corp reported financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2006. Revenues for 1Q 2006 were $9.5 M ($12.8 M in 1Q 2005). The net loss for 1Q 2006, including restructuring charges of $11 M, was $21.4 M (net loss of $12 M in 1Q 2005). Product-
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DuPont gains patents for Versipol DuPont has secured the patents for Gavilan catalyst and polyolefin technology from Eastman Chemical. The newly acquired patents add to DuPont’s Versipol catalyst system, which covers late transition metal catalyst lines that create highly branched to exceptionally linear ethylene homopolymers and linear alpha olefins. ICIS Chemical Business, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Market Reporter, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
MRPL seeking technology Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) is on the lookout for potential technology partners for its refinery expansion and aromatics project in India. The Rup 48.52 bn (€857.34 M) aromatics complex, under a jv with parent company Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), will yield 1 M tonne/y of p-xylene (POX) and 140,000 tonne/y of benzene. MRPL will also pursue a Rup 79.43 bn expansion at its existing refinery in Mangalore to increase the refinery’s crude processing capacity from 9.69 M tonne/y to 15 M tonne/y. The company also seeks a process licence for a 2.1 M tonne/y high severity fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit that will manufacture 300,000
tonne/y of propylene and a significant amount of liquefied petroleum gas. ICIS Chemical Business, 15 May 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Novozymes Group financial statement for 1Q 2006 Novozymes made a good start to 2006, with growth of 14% in operating profit and 11% in sales for 1Q 2006; outlook for 2006 is maintained. Sales for 1Q 2006 were DKR 1633 M (+11% over DKR 1476 M in 1Q 2005). Net profit for 1Q 2006 increased by 2% to DKR 196 M (DKR 193 M in 1Q 2005). Outlook for 2006: Assuming no change in exchange rates, Novozymes’ outlook for 2006 is maintained. Growth in sales is expected at 7-9% for 2006, equivalent to 6-8% measured in local currency. Growth in operating profit is expected at 7-9%, while the outlook for net profit is expected at 5-7% for 2006. Novozymes 1Q 2006 results: 2006 outlook, 1 May 2006, (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, Bagsvaerd 2880, Denmark. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Reliance Petro, Dow pact gets nod Reliance Petroleum Ltd’s 10-year foreign technology collaboration agreement with Dow Global Technologies for a polypropylene plant at Meghpar village near Lalpur in Gujarat has been approved by the department of chemicals and petrochemicals in India. The plant will have a capacity of 900,000 tonne/y. Under the agreement, Dow Global Technologies will receive a payment of $26.55 M for the plant in four instalments. An option for setting up a catalyst plant with a solvent recovery unit is also provided. The initial capacity of 100 tonne/y may be expanded to 300 tonne/y with the addition of two more plants having a capacity of 100 tonne/y each. Dow will obtain a payment of $14 M for the catalyst technology and $5.2 M for the solvent recovery plant. Dow Global Technologies will supply its UNIPOLPP using the UNIPOL fluidized gas process. Chemical Business (India), Mar 2006, 20 (3), 73-74
Reliance gets award for PDEB process In 2005, Reliance was awarded a Golden Peacock Innovation Award for the development of a process for the production of p-diethylbenzene
JULY 2006
F O C U S (PDEB). The award also covered the manufacture of zeolite-based sulfurselective catalysts. A 3000 tonne/y PDEB unit was commissioned early in 2006 and Reliance has already supplied over 1000 tonnes of PDEB for use in its p-xylene facilities. Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2006, 168 (14 supplement), 17 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
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300,000 tonne propylene oxide plant in Antwerp, Belgium. Construction at the plant will begin in 2006, with commissioning slated in early 2008. The plant will employ the companies’ hydrogen peroxide route to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology. Dow is presently evaluating various options and possible locations for future PO investment.
Grace acquires catalyst assets from Basell
High Performance Plastics, May 2006, 9
WR Grace has acquired the custom catalyst and catalyst components business of Basell USA. It recently acquired the related business, SingleSite Catalysts, LLC.
Süd-Chemie to expand styrene catalyst manufacture in Japan
Press release from: WR Grace, 7500 Grace Drive, Columia, MD 21044. Tel: +1 212 468 3734 (2 Jun 2006) & Chemical & Engineering News, 12 Jun 2006, 84 (24), 20
NEW PLANTS Albemarle breaks ground on hydroprocessing catalyst plant As petroleum fuel refiners face the dual challenge of meeting rising US and global fuel demand and rigorous clean fuels specifications, the need for topperformance hydroprocessing catalysts is greater than ever. Refiners will soon find relief on both fronts from Albemarle. Albemarle Corp recently broke ground on a new 10,000 tonne/y capacity hydroprocessing catalyst (HPC) production plant at its Bayport facility in Pasadena, TX, and set the plant to begin production in 1Q 2007. Albemarle first announced the new plant in 2005 as part of a larger capacity-expansion project to meet growing HPC demand. The company also will add a specialized production line at its Amsterdam site; implement debottlenecking activities at Bayport and Amsterdam; and make additional investments in its laboratories. A third debottlenecking project is being considered for Niihama, as well. Press release from: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (1 Jun 2006)
Dow and BASF sign PO agreement Dow Chemical Co and BASF AG have formed a jv to build a new
JULY 2006
Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan will raise its production capacity for dehydrogenation catalysts by 80% at its Toyama unit, with completion and commissioning slated in Aug 2006. The dehydrogenation catalysts are used principally in the manufacture of styrene monomer from ethyl benzene. Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan, which is Süd-Chemie’s base in the Pacific Asia region, takes a 70% share in the Asian market for dehydrogenation catalysts used for styrene monomer manufacture. Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan produces and distributes principally petrochemical, refinery and environmental catalysts. The company is targeting a 7%/y growth and sales of Yen 22 bn ($188 M) by fiscal 2015. To fulfill this objective, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan is intensifying efforts to develop businesses for its petrochemical catalysts.
organic wastes such as bagasse, rice hulls and wood in addition to corn. BioEnergy has a pipeline of projects in various stages of development representing over 400 M gallons of annual ethanol production. Separately, BioEnergy has obtained exclusive licences for novel biocatalysts and has initiated research to support commercial development of speciality chemicals utilizing these biocatalysts for introduction into the Lake Providence facility in the next few years; thus achieving its goal of becoming a world-scale biorefinery. In addition, BioEnergy has secured an exclusive research agreement with the University of Florida and Dr Lonnie Ingram to develop proprietary technologies to produce biobased speciality chemicals (other than ethanol) from starch and cellulose derived sugars. BioEnergy International LLC headquartered in Norwell, MA, is a privately held, biotechnology company focused on developing biorefineries and proprietary technologies to produce speciality chemicals and renewable fuels from both traditional feedstocks and cellulose. BioEnergy currently has two 108 M gallon/y ethanol plants under development which, over time, will utilize its proprietary technologies to produce high value speciality chemicals and renewable fuels. Press release from: BioEnergy International. Website: http://www.bioenergyinternational.com (8 May 2006)
Japan Chemical Week, 11 May 2006, 47 (2366), 6-7
Perstorp Oxo uses Axens’ biodiesel technology
BioEnergy starts site work on 108 M gallon ethanol project
The Esterfip H biodiesel technology of Axen will be employed by Perstorp Oxo on its planned 160,000 tonne/y unit at Stenungsund, Sweden, with start up slated in 1Q 2007. Biodiesel is based on fatty acid methyl esters derived from the esterification of different vegetable oils, such a soybean, sunflower, or rapeseed oil. The Esterfip H technology, developed by IFP, is designed and marketed by Axens.
BioEnergy International LLC (BioEnergy) has commenced site work on its first biorefinery, a 108 M gallon/y ethanol plant located on land leased from the Lake Providence Port Commission in East Carroll Parish, LA. The plant will be owned by Bionol LLC, a subsidiary of BioEnergy, and is expected to commence full-scale construction early in 4Q 2006. Initially the plant will produce ethanol from corn using conventional technology designed by Delta-T Corp, a leading, innovative designer of alcohol plants, systems and technology. BioEnergy intends to rapidly introduce its proprietary technology to produce fuels and speciality chemicals using
Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2006, 85 (5), 38
Green Star Products to construct total bio-refineries Green Star Products Inc (GSPI) announced its plans to construct total bio-refinery complexes for production of both biodiesel and biomass ethanol
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