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Tessenderlo Group pulls out of zeolites
F O C U S biotech revenues of Rup 25 crore during 2008-2009. (1 crore = 10 M, 1 lakh = 100,000). BioSpectrum, Jun 2009, 7 (6), 90 (Website: http://www.biospectrumindia.com)
Biofuel gasification plant discontinued NewPage Corp, a US-based paper maker, has backed away from the biofuels gasification project at its mill in Escanaba, MI, because of spiralling costs. The project, a partnership between the company and Swedish firm Chemrec AB, had aimed to produce methanol and dimethyl ether from kraft pulp black liquor. The project was deemed unviable due to the lack of demand for methanol and dimethyl ether in North America that would sustain the plant’s production and justify its installation costs. NewPage might go ahead with the project in the future once market and policy conditions improve. Nitrogen + Syngas, Sep/Oct 2009, (301), 11
Nippon Shokubai 2009: environment and catalysts Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd’s net sales from its environment and catalysts segment fell to Yen 32,994 M in FY ended 31 Mar 2009 from Yen 38,165 M in FY ended 31 Mar 2008, while operating income dropped to Yen 1222 M from Yen 2813 M. The segment’s capital expenditures rose to Yen 452 M from Yen 331 M. Operating income declined due to a drop in sales volumes of process catalysts, and an impact from inventory valuation losses. Nippon Shokubai Annual Report 2009, 7 May 2009, 5,38 (Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd, General Affairs Department, Public Relations Group, Japan. Tel: +81 6 6223 9105. Website: http://www.shokubai.co.jp/eng)
Novozymes intensifies enzyme proliferation Bangalore, India-based Novozymes South Asia (Novozymes) is the provider of industrial biotechnology products and it pioneered the replacement of chemicals with enzymes. For 2008-2009, the company reported estimated revenue of Rup 250 crore (Rup 225 crore in 2007-2008). The company accounts for 65-70% share of the industrial enzymes market, in textiles and
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starch it accounts for 90% share. The company caters to the needs of detergent, textile, beverage alcohol, animal feed, and biofuel industries. Novozymes’ R&D facility got a much needed boost when it acquired the enzyme division of Biocon Ltd. The acquisition has resulted in good market reach and strong distribution network in India. After the addition of 150 employees of Biocon, the company presently has about 200 employees working for it in India. Novozymes’ new R&D centre at Bangalore aims to focus on optimisation of enzyme properties and application development. The company allocates nearly 13% of its total turnover to R&D. By 2010, Novozymes is planning to produce second generation bioethanol from agricultural residues. In a bid to develop certain applications to the local market, the company is keenly observing the biofuels and biodiesel segments. The included figure depicts the business revenue of the company from 2004-2005 to 2008-2009. BioSpectrum, Jun 2009, 7 (6), 48 (Website: http://www.biospectrumindia.com)
Rhodia’s automotive offer: more innovation, less CO2 Rhodia, a chemical company working in partnership with automotive manufacturers, showcases a range of innovative solutions for reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These new technologies expand Rhodia’s current portfolio of solutions for reducing CO2 vehicle emissions by more than 20 grams per kilometre. Catalysis materials – more emissions control for less CO2: Rhodia’s catalysis materials have been developed to minimize the environmental impact of CO2 emissions, beyond the elimination of primary pollutants. The new EolysPowerFlex technology has been designed to fully eliminate soot particles from engines running on biofuels, whatever the type of fuel mix. This technology enables fast regeneration of particulate filters at low temperature, resulting in a 3 to 5% higher CO2 reduction compared with other technologies. In addition, Rhodia’s Acilys product line, a joint development with MEL, is used to formulate efficient catalysts for NOx
reduction systems with urea injection technology, that enables diesel engines to run at very low rpms, thereby emitting little CO2. For gasoline engines, Rhodia’s ActalysOPtalys mixed oxides and its Stabilys range of aluminas enable the development of high durability catalyst formulations with a low content of precious metals, which are ideally suited for downsized engines that have a low CO2 impact. Press release from: Rhodia SA, Immeuble Coeur Defense, Tour A, 110 esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 92400 Courbevoie, France. Tel: +33 1 5356 6464. Fax: +33 1 5356 6459. Website: http://www.rhodia.com (22 Sep 2009)
Sumitomo Metal/BASF Catalysts move to fully own NE Chemcat Sumitomo Metal Mining and BASF Catalysts Asia recently embarked on an unconditional cash tender bid to purchase all of NE Chemcat’s remaining stocks that they did not already own. The two firms, which presently own 42.22% each of NE Chemcat’s issued stocks, are offering Yen 1830/share ($20.15). The entire acquisition has an estimated value of Yen 8228 M. With 100% ownership, Sumitomo Metal Mining, BASF Catalysts Asia and NE Chemcat will be able to fortify their business relationship in the catalyst area. Japan Chemical Web, 17 Sep 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Tessenderlo Group pulls out of zeolites Tessenderlo Group, which had a stake in the zeolite segment via a 5050 joint venture with Prayon SA, has recently sold this non-strategic shareholding to Prayon. This sale is in line with Tessenderlo Group’s strategic repositioning. Press release from: Tessenderlo Group NV, Troonstraat 130, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 639 18 11. Fax: +32 2 639 19 99. Website: http://www.tessenderlogroup.com (24 Sep 2009)
Tosoh actively shifting to high-margin products at Yokkaichi Tosoh Corp is stepping up the value chain for the production line-up of its Yokkaichi complex. At the heart of the complex is a naphtha cracker; also, production of commodity petrochemicals such as polyvinyl chloride and cumene, and sales of
NOVEMBER 2009
Biofuel gasification plant discontinued NewPage Corp, a US-based paper maker, has backed away from the biofuels gasification project at its mill in Escanaba, MI, because of spiralling costs. The project, a partnership between the company and Swedish firm Chemrec AB, had aimed to produce methanol and dimethyl ether from kraft pulp black liquor. The project was deemed unviable due to the lack of demand for methanol and dimethyl ether in North America that would sustain the plant’s production and justify its installation costs. NewPage might go ahead with the project in the future once market and policy conditions improve. Nitrogen + Syngas, Sep/Oct 2009, (301), 11
Nippon Shokubai 2009: environment and catalysts Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd’s net sales from its environment and catalysts segment fell to Yen 32,994 M in FY ended 31 Mar 2009 from Yen 38,165 M in FY ended 31 Mar 2008, while operating income dropped to Yen 1222 M from Yen 2813 M. The segment’s capital expenditures rose to Yen 452 M from Yen 331 M. Operating income declined due to a drop in sales volumes of process catalysts, and an impact from inventory valuation losses. Nippon Shokubai Annual Report 2009, 7 May 2009, 5,38 (Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd, General Affairs Department, Public Relations Group, Japan. Tel: +81 6 6223 9105. Website: http://www.shokubai.co.jp/eng)
Novozymes intensifies enzyme proliferation Bangalore, India-based Novozymes South Asia (Novozymes) is the provider of industrial biotechnology products and it pioneered the replacement of chemicals with enzymes. For 2008-2009, the company reported estimated revenue of Rup 250 crore (Rup 225 crore in 2007-2008). The company accounts for 65-70% share of the industrial enzymes market, in textiles and
4
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C ATA LY S T S
starch it accounts for 90% share. The company caters to the needs of detergent, textile, beverage alcohol, animal feed, and biofuel industries. Novozymes’ R&D facility got a much needed boost when it acquired the enzyme division of Biocon Ltd. The acquisition has resulted in good market reach and strong distribution network in India. After the addition of 150 employees of Biocon, the company presently has about 200 employees working for it in India. Novozymes’ new R&D centre at Bangalore aims to focus on optimisation of enzyme properties and application development. The company allocates nearly 13% of its total turnover to R&D. By 2010, Novozymes is planning to produce second generation bioethanol from agricultural residues. In a bid to develop certain applications to the local market, the company is keenly observing the biofuels and biodiesel segments. The included figure depicts the business revenue of the company from 2004-2005 to 2008-2009. BioSpectrum, Jun 2009, 7 (6), 48 (Website: http://www.biospectrumindia.com)
Rhodia’s automotive offer: more innovation, less CO2 Rhodia, a chemical company working in partnership with automotive manufacturers, showcases a range of innovative solutions for reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These new technologies expand Rhodia’s current portfolio of solutions for reducing CO2 vehicle emissions by more than 20 grams per kilometre. Catalysis materials – more emissions control for less CO2: Rhodia’s catalysis materials have been developed to minimize the environmental impact of CO2 emissions, beyond the elimination of primary pollutants. The new EolysPowerFlex technology has been designed to fully eliminate soot particles from engines running on biofuels, whatever the type of fuel mix. This technology enables fast regeneration of particulate filters at low temperature, resulting in a 3 to 5% higher CO2 reduction compared with other technologies. In addition, Rhodia’s Acilys product line, a joint development with MEL, is used to formulate efficient catalysts for NOx
reduction systems with urea injection technology, that enables diesel engines to run at very low rpms, thereby emitting little CO2. For gasoline engines, Rhodia’s ActalysOPtalys mixed oxides and its Stabilys range of aluminas enable the development of high durability catalyst formulations with a low content of precious metals, which are ideally suited for downsized engines that have a low CO2 impact. Press release from: Rhodia SA, Immeuble Coeur Defense, Tour A, 110 esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 92400 Courbevoie, France. Tel: +33 1 5356 6464. Fax: +33 1 5356 6459. Website: http://www.rhodia.com (22 Sep 2009)
Sumitomo Metal/BASF Catalysts move to fully own NE Chemcat Sumitomo Metal Mining and BASF Catalysts Asia recently embarked on an unconditional cash tender bid to purchase all of NE Chemcat’s remaining stocks that they did not already own. The two firms, which presently own 42.22% each of NE Chemcat’s issued stocks, are offering Yen 1830/share ($20.15). The entire acquisition has an estimated value of Yen 8228 M. With 100% ownership, Sumitomo Metal Mining, BASF Catalysts Asia and NE Chemcat will be able to fortify their business relationship in the catalyst area. Japan Chemical Web, 17 Sep 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Tessenderlo Group pulls out of zeolites Tessenderlo Group, which had a stake in the zeolite segment via a 5050 joint venture with Prayon SA, has recently sold this non-strategic shareholding to Prayon. This sale is in line with Tessenderlo Group’s strategic repositioning. Press release from: Tessenderlo Group NV, Troonstraat 130, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 639 18 11. Fax: +32 2 639 19 99. Website: http://www.tessenderlogroup.com (24 Sep 2009)
Tosoh actively shifting to high-margin products at Yokkaichi Tosoh Corp is stepping up the value chain for the production line-up of its Yokkaichi complex. At the heart of the complex is a naphtha cracker; also, production of commodity petrochemicals such as polyvinyl chloride and cumene, and sales of
NOVEMBER 2009