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Süd-Chemie catalysts for the methanol market
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ceramics), the Johnson Matthey group has completed its integration. The last phase of the process consisted of selling Argillon’s aluminium oxide and ceramic insulators business. These were acquired at end Nov 2008 by Lapp Insulator for €21 M.
With mileage levels comparable to conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts, smooth operability and excellent process control, it confirms the impressive potential of Metocene PP technology.” Only recently, a Metocene PP technology license was granted to PolyMirae in South Korea.
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 1 Dec 2008, (446), 9 (in French)
Press release from: LyondellBasell, PO Box 2416, 3000 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 10 275 5500. Website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com (5 Jan 2009)
LyondellBasell expands conversion technology range LyondellBasell Industries is expanding its range of technology for the conversion of low-olefin products. The Superflex, Prodflex, and Isomplus processes are used for isomerization and catalytic hydration. The firm is also launching new technology for the separation and purification of C4 and C5 olefins and for aromatics extraction processes. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 8 Dec 2008, (447), 10 (in French)
New single-site catalyst boosts process performance of LyondellBasell’s Metocene PP technology On 5 Jan 2009, LyondellBasell announced that it had launched a new Avant M single-site catalyst system designed to extend the performance capabilities of its Metocene polypropylene (PP) manufacturing technology platform. “This new singlesite catalyst family provides additional product capabilities within our existing Metocene PP portfolio, which is already extremely versatile”, said Yves Bonte, Senior Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Polypropylene Business. The catalyst family extends the range of homopolymer, random and impact copolymer grades by offering performance from very low to very high melt flow rates, while maintaining outstanding levels of homogeneity, transparency, and other features typical of single-site catalysis.” According to Jim Seward, Senior Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Catalyst Business, “We have been successfully using this catalyst system at our LyondellBasell facilities. This new family offers significant advantages above our existing metallocene catalyst portfolio.
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OM licenses Rahu Catalytics’ ironbased oxidation catalyst The US OM Group has acquired a licence to use UK company Rahu Catalytics’ new additives technology. This involves iron-based oxidation catalysts and is suitable for drying agents used with coatings and inks and for polymerization additives for composites. Chemical Week, 5 Jan 2009, 171 (1), 35 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 14 (in French)
Shell, Shanxi explore coal gasification A process for the conversion of coalbased synthesis gas (syngas) into higher alcohols is to be developed via an R&D agreement between Shell Global Solutions International and the Shanxi Institute of Coal Chemistry. The process could become an attractive option for the clean use of coal to produce environmentally friendly fuels and fuel additives, with reducing dependence on crude oil. ICIS Chemical Business, 8 Dec 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Süd-Chemie 3Q 2008: Catalysts division For the first nine-months of its fiscal 2008 (period ends 30 Sep 2008), the Catalysts division of Süd-Chemie AG has reported revenue of €333.5 M (€312.7 M for the same period of its fiscal 2007), EBITDA of €70.9 M (€59.5 M), EBIT of €55.4 M (€44.5 M), and headcount of 2246 (1820). There is discussion of the business and of the results of this division. Süd-Chemie Interim Report 3Q 2008, 29 Oct 2008, 45 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie catalysts for the methanol market Süd-Chemie, in addition to introducing new methanol synthesis and sour gas shift catalysts, is also working on various feed purification catalysts and adsorbents. The company came up with catalysts designed specifically for Lurgi’s Mega-Methanol and Methanolto-Propylene technologies. A crucial technology for this is Süd-Chemie’s copper-zinc catalyst belonging to the MegaMax series. Shift Max 820 is the company’s new offering, designed specifically for the production of crude synthesis gas from coal gasification. Advantages include reduced temperature activity and preservation of physical power and surface area. Aside from methanol synthesis, the company also designs other highly specialized catalysts for upstream reformer processes as well as in downstream processing. Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2008, (296), 38-40,42
Synthesis Energy reaches license agreement with ExxonMobil ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co and Synthesis Energy Systems Inc (SES) have inked a deal that will provide SES with an option to utilize a maximum of 15 methanol-togasoline (MTG) technology licenses at coal gasification units worldwide. SES intends to employ the technology at its goal gasification projects currently being developed in North America. The company thinks that each of the projects will generate about 100 M gallon/y of gasoline, if completed. Hydrocarbon Processing, Nov 2008, 87 (11), 41 & Chemical Engineering (New York), Nov 2008, 115 (12), 67
Toho targets top ranking for PPmaking catalysts Toho Titanium is targeting to boost its sales of propylene polymerization catalysts as the company seeks to become the world’s top supplier of these catalysts for polypropylene production by 2012. Apart from aggressively seeking profitable, customized products for the manufacture of PP, Toho also intends to intensify marketing in the commodity segment, where the company expects
FEBRUARY 2009
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C ATA LY S T S
ceramics), the Johnson Matthey group has completed its integration. The last phase of the process consisted of selling Argillon’s aluminium oxide and ceramic insulators business. These were acquired at end Nov 2008 by Lapp Insulator for €21 M.
With mileage levels comparable to conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts, smooth operability and excellent process control, it confirms the impressive potential of Metocene PP technology.” Only recently, a Metocene PP technology license was granted to PolyMirae in South Korea.
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 1 Dec 2008, (446), 9 (in French)
Press release from: LyondellBasell, PO Box 2416, 3000 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 10 275 5500. Website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com (5 Jan 2009)
LyondellBasell expands conversion technology range LyondellBasell Industries is expanding its range of technology for the conversion of low-olefin products. The Superflex, Prodflex, and Isomplus processes are used for isomerization and catalytic hydration. The firm is also launching new technology for the separation and purification of C4 and C5 olefins and for aromatics extraction processes. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 8 Dec 2008, (447), 10 (in French)
New single-site catalyst boosts process performance of LyondellBasell’s Metocene PP technology On 5 Jan 2009, LyondellBasell announced that it had launched a new Avant M single-site catalyst system designed to extend the performance capabilities of its Metocene polypropylene (PP) manufacturing technology platform. “This new singlesite catalyst family provides additional product capabilities within our existing Metocene PP portfolio, which is already extremely versatile”, said Yves Bonte, Senior Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Polypropylene Business. The catalyst family extends the range of homopolymer, random and impact copolymer grades by offering performance from very low to very high melt flow rates, while maintaining outstanding levels of homogeneity, transparency, and other features typical of single-site catalysis.” According to Jim Seward, Senior Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Catalyst Business, “We have been successfully using this catalyst system at our LyondellBasell facilities. This new family offers significant advantages above our existing metallocene catalyst portfolio.
4
OM licenses Rahu Catalytics’ ironbased oxidation catalyst The US OM Group has acquired a licence to use UK company Rahu Catalytics’ new additives technology. This involves iron-based oxidation catalysts and is suitable for drying agents used with coatings and inks and for polymerization additives for composites. Chemical Week, 5 Jan 2009, 171 (1), 35 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 14 (in French)
Shell, Shanxi explore coal gasification A process for the conversion of coalbased synthesis gas (syngas) into higher alcohols is to be developed via an R&D agreement between Shell Global Solutions International and the Shanxi Institute of Coal Chemistry. The process could become an attractive option for the clean use of coal to produce environmentally friendly fuels and fuel additives, with reducing dependence on crude oil. ICIS Chemical Business, 8 Dec 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Süd-Chemie 3Q 2008: Catalysts division For the first nine-months of its fiscal 2008 (period ends 30 Sep 2008), the Catalysts division of Süd-Chemie AG has reported revenue of €333.5 M (€312.7 M for the same period of its fiscal 2007), EBITDA of €70.9 M (€59.5 M), EBIT of €55.4 M (€44.5 M), and headcount of 2246 (1820). There is discussion of the business and of the results of this division. Süd-Chemie Interim Report 3Q 2008, 29 Oct 2008, 45 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie catalysts for the methanol market Süd-Chemie, in addition to introducing new methanol synthesis and sour gas shift catalysts, is also working on various feed purification catalysts and adsorbents. The company came up with catalysts designed specifically for Lurgi’s Mega-Methanol and Methanolto-Propylene technologies. A crucial technology for this is Süd-Chemie’s copper-zinc catalyst belonging to the MegaMax series. Shift Max 820 is the company’s new offering, designed specifically for the production of crude synthesis gas from coal gasification. Advantages include reduced temperature activity and preservation of physical power and surface area. Aside from methanol synthesis, the company also designs other highly specialized catalysts for upstream reformer processes as well as in downstream processing. Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2008, (296), 38-40,42
Synthesis Energy reaches license agreement with ExxonMobil ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co and Synthesis Energy Systems Inc (SES) have inked a deal that will provide SES with an option to utilize a maximum of 15 methanol-togasoline (MTG) technology licenses at coal gasification units worldwide. SES intends to employ the technology at its goal gasification projects currently being developed in North America. The company thinks that each of the projects will generate about 100 M gallon/y of gasoline, if completed. Hydrocarbon Processing, Nov 2008, 87 (11), 41 & Chemical Engineering (New York), Nov 2008, 115 (12), 67
Toho targets top ranking for PPmaking catalysts Toho Titanium is targeting to boost its sales of propylene polymerization catalysts as the company seeks to become the world’s top supplier of these catalysts for polypropylene production by 2012. Apart from aggressively seeking profitable, customized products for the manufacture of PP, Toho also intends to intensify marketing in the commodity segment, where the company expects
FEBRUARY 2009