- Email: [email protected]
Shengquan and Novozymes in partnership to commercialize cellulosic ethanol
FOCUS countermeasures are now beginning to show results and are expected to affect growth positively during the next quarters. Key sales data are presented in graphs and tables. Original source: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 Apr 2012) © Novozymes 2012
Novozymes 1Q 2012: feed & technical enzymes sales Feed & Other Technical Enzymes sales for 1Q 2012 were down by 4% in DKR to DKR 329 M (1Q 2011: DKR 342 M). Enzyme sales to the animal feed area experienced solid growth in 1Q 2012 as expected. Phytase enzyme sales continued to show a positive development and RONOZYME ProAct, a feed enzyme increasing protein uptake in poultry, continued to develop positively on the Latin American and European markets. Enzyme sales to the other technical industries were lower for the period, mainly due to lower textile enzyme sales. Key sales data are presented in graphs and tables. Original Source: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 Apr 2012) © Novozymes 2012
Shengquan and Novozymes in partnership to commercialize cellulosic ethanol Shengquan Group and Novozymes have announced a partnership enabling Shengquan to start commercial-scale production of cellulosic ethanol for solvents in Jun 2012 using Novozymes’ technology. Shengquan is a leading producer of furfural using xylose in corncobs, a monomer for resin production in the foundry industry. Using Novozymes enzymes, Shengquan will now convert corncob residues from furfural production into fermentable sugars and then into ethanol for solvents and other purposes. Original Source: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 April 2012) © Novozymes 2012
JUNE 2012
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OM Group buys Rahu Catalytics Rahu Catalytics Ltd was bought by US-based OM Group Inc from Unilever Ventures and Management. The acquisition includes all related intellectual property rights and master patents as well as all manufacturing and supply deals. Rahu Catalytics has developed a unique iron ligand-based chemistry for use in eco-friendly coatings, inks, and composites. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Mar 2012, 28 (3), 15-16 (Website: http://www.pcimag.com) © NP Media 2012
WR Grace reports 1Q 2012 adjusted EPS of $0.88: Grace Catalysts Technologies For its 1Q 2012 (period ends 31 Mar 2012), the Grace Catalysts Technologies division of WR Grace & Co has reported net sales of $313.2 M ($275.7 M for its 1Q 2011) and adjusted EBIT of $99.2 M ($77.9 M). The Catalysts Technologies operating segment includes specialty catalysts and additives for refinery, plastics and other chemical process applications. Sales in the Refining Technologies product group increased approximately 18%, as improved pricing more than offset slightly lower sales volumes and unfavorable currency translation. More than two-thirds of the improvement in pricing was due to improvement in base price, largely reflecting the impact of new product introductions. Weaker volumes primarily resulted from slow-downs in North American refinery operations and customer order patterns. Separately, sales volumes and pricing improved for polyolefin catalysts as end-users continued to migrate to higher-margin niche plastics. Polypropylene catalyst growth continued at double-digit rates primarily due to increased penetration with key partners. The increase in gross margin compared with the prior-year quarter primarily was due to improved pricing partially offset by higher raw materials costs. Original Source: WR Grace & Co, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044, US, website: http://www.grace.com (25 Apr 2012) © WR Grace & Co – Conn 2012
NEW PLANTS New experimental facility for microchannel reactor testing and development opens in Thailand A new experimental facility for testing microchannel reactors has begun operations at the PTT Research and Technology Institute in Wangnoi, Ayutthaya, Thailand, approximately 70 km north of Bangkok. The new facility is operated by PTT (the Thai National Energy Company) and was set up under the terms of a research collaboration with Velocys Inc (the US-based member of the Oxford Catalysts Group) and is designed specifically to test microchannel reactors for gas to liquids (GTL) applications. The facility is manned by 8 research staff from PTT and is linked to Velocys via a computer network to enable Velocys researchers to access experimental data in real time. This will make it possible for Velocys to analyse various aspects of catalyst performance and to optimise and validate the long-term performance of its microchannel steam methane reforming (SMR) reactors, an important element in the Group’s modular GTL technology. It will also enable PTT staff to gain valuable experience in the use of microchannel GTL technology, and provide them with the data necessary to carry out detailed engineering evaluations of modular GTL facilities. PTT are particularly interested in the Group’s modular GTL technology as a means to monetise associated gas from onshore wells that is currently disposed of by flaring. Original Source: Oxford Catalysts, 115E-H Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, UK, tel: +44 (0)1235 841 70, fax: +44 (0)1235 841 701, email: [email protected], website: http://www.oxfordcatalysts.com/ (12 Apr 2012) © Oxford Catalysts Group plc 2012
BASF inaugurates its first sodium methoxide plant in South America BASF has formally opened its 60,000 tonne/y plant for sodium methoxide in Guaratingueta, Brazil. The new worldscale plant commenced production at the end of 2011 and caters to the regional market. It is BASF’s first plant for this material in South America and
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Novozymes 1Q 2012: feed & technical enzymes sales Feed & Other Technical Enzymes sales for 1Q 2012 were down by 4% in DKR to DKR 329 M (1Q 2011: DKR 342 M). Enzyme sales to the animal feed area experienced solid growth in 1Q 2012 as expected. Phytase enzyme sales continued to show a positive development and RONOZYME ProAct, a feed enzyme increasing protein uptake in poultry, continued to develop positively on the Latin American and European markets. Enzyme sales to the other technical industries were lower for the period, mainly due to lower textile enzyme sales. Key sales data are presented in graphs and tables. Original Source: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 Apr 2012) © Novozymes 2012
Shengquan and Novozymes in partnership to commercialize cellulosic ethanol Shengquan Group and Novozymes have announced a partnership enabling Shengquan to start commercial-scale production of cellulosic ethanol for solvents in Jun 2012 using Novozymes’ technology. Shengquan is a leading producer of furfural using xylose in corncobs, a monomer for resin production in the foundry industry. Using Novozymes enzymes, Shengquan will now convert corncob residues from furfural production into fermentable sugars and then into ethanol for solvents and other purposes. Original Source: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (25 April 2012) © Novozymes 2012
JUNE 2012
ON
C ATA LY S T S
OM Group buys Rahu Catalytics Rahu Catalytics Ltd was bought by US-based OM Group Inc from Unilever Ventures and Management. The acquisition includes all related intellectual property rights and master patents as well as all manufacturing and supply deals. Rahu Catalytics has developed a unique iron ligand-based chemistry for use in eco-friendly coatings, inks, and composites. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Mar 2012, 28 (3), 15-16 (Website: http://www.pcimag.com) © NP Media 2012
WR Grace reports 1Q 2012 adjusted EPS of $0.88: Grace Catalysts Technologies For its 1Q 2012 (period ends 31 Mar 2012), the Grace Catalysts Technologies division of WR Grace & Co has reported net sales of $313.2 M ($275.7 M for its 1Q 2011) and adjusted EBIT of $99.2 M ($77.9 M). The Catalysts Technologies operating segment includes specialty catalysts and additives for refinery, plastics and other chemical process applications. Sales in the Refining Technologies product group increased approximately 18%, as improved pricing more than offset slightly lower sales volumes and unfavorable currency translation. More than two-thirds of the improvement in pricing was due to improvement in base price, largely reflecting the impact of new product introductions. Weaker volumes primarily resulted from slow-downs in North American refinery operations and customer order patterns. Separately, sales volumes and pricing improved for polyolefin catalysts as end-users continued to migrate to higher-margin niche plastics. Polypropylene catalyst growth continued at double-digit rates primarily due to increased penetration with key partners. The increase in gross margin compared with the prior-year quarter primarily was due to improved pricing partially offset by higher raw materials costs. Original Source: WR Grace & Co, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044, US, website: http://www.grace.com (25 Apr 2012) © WR Grace & Co – Conn 2012
NEW PLANTS New experimental facility for microchannel reactor testing and development opens in Thailand A new experimental facility for testing microchannel reactors has begun operations at the PTT Research and Technology Institute in Wangnoi, Ayutthaya, Thailand, approximately 70 km north of Bangkok. The new facility is operated by PTT (the Thai National Energy Company) and was set up under the terms of a research collaboration with Velocys Inc (the US-based member of the Oxford Catalysts Group) and is designed specifically to test microchannel reactors for gas to liquids (GTL) applications. The facility is manned by 8 research staff from PTT and is linked to Velocys via a computer network to enable Velocys researchers to access experimental data in real time. This will make it possible for Velocys to analyse various aspects of catalyst performance and to optimise and validate the long-term performance of its microchannel steam methane reforming (SMR) reactors, an important element in the Group’s modular GTL technology. It will also enable PTT staff to gain valuable experience in the use of microchannel GTL technology, and provide them with the data necessary to carry out detailed engineering evaluations of modular GTL facilities. PTT are particularly interested in the Group’s modular GTL technology as a means to monetise associated gas from onshore wells that is currently disposed of by flaring. Original Source: Oxford Catalysts, 115E-H Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, UK, tel: +44 (0)1235 841 70, fax: +44 (0)1235 841 701, email: [email protected], website: http://www.oxfordcatalysts.com/ (12 Apr 2012) © Oxford Catalysts Group plc 2012
BASF inaugurates its first sodium methoxide plant in South America BASF has formally opened its 60,000 tonne/y plant for sodium methoxide in Guaratingueta, Brazil. The new worldscale plant commenced production at the end of 2011 and caters to the regional market. It is BASF’s first plant for this material in South America and
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