Avantium begins building pilot plant

FOCUS methoxymethylfurfural (MMF) from glucose and fructose. MMF is a stable substitute for hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The technology has allowed the company to oxidize MMF to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), which could be used as a chemical building block to replace terephthalic acid used to produce PET. Avantium has partnered with Natureworks to commercialize its furanics and with Natureworks’ parent Cargill Inc for the supply of starchderived materials such as syrup. USA-based Rennovia Inc is also using HTS experimentation methods to develop adipic acid, a monomer utilized in the production of nylon 6,6 fibres and resins, adipate esters, and polyurethanes. Meanwhile, Rivertop Renewables employs a proprietary technology that involves the use of nitric acid to oxidize sugars within a catalytic approach. The company uses this method to produce glucaric acid from glucose. Rivertop is also aiming to develop various bioproducts and polymers using xylaric, arabinaric, and mannaric acids, which are obtained from sugars derived from woody biomass. Biorefining, Dec 2010 (Website: http://biorefiningmagazine.com)

COMPANY NEWS Acima Specialty Chemicals announces new tin catalyst Acima Specialty Chemicals has announced the commercialization of Metatin Katalysator 1230 Catalyst, a dimethyltin catalyst that was developed as a new option for companies using dibutyltin and dioctylin catalysts. The new product offers excellent reactivity and ease of formulation in products ranging from polyurethanes to polysilicones. Metatin Katalysator 1230 can replace dioctyltin catalysts and dibutyltin catalysts. Metatin Katalysator 1230 is self classified as CMR Cat 3, pending ECHA review. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000. Fax: +1 989 636 3518. Website: http://www.dow.com (1 Dec 2010)

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Albemarle R&D lab ready in S Korea Albemarle started construction of a production plant at a site in Yeosu, South Korea, after completing the R&D laboratories there. The new plant is expected to be in full operation in 2012. The new lab will provide lab samples of metallocene polyolefin catalyst for trial use by local customers, as well as high purity metal organics for the high brightness LED sector. Speciality Chemicals, Nov 2010, 30 (11), 8

Avantium begins building pilot plant Avantium has started building a pilot plant for the manufacture of biobased molecular building blocks for making green materials and fuels at its Chemelot facility in Geleen, The Netherlands. The company has developed a novel catalytic technology to transform carbohydrates into furanic building blocks, labelled as YXY. The pilot plant, slated for startup in 1Q 2011, will produce several ton/y of YXY to support product development. Avantium is working with a number of industrial partners, including NatureWorks and Teijin Aramid, to create novel materials based on its YXY building blocks. It has also partnered with DAF Trucks to develop YXY fuels. Biorefining, Nov 2010 (Website: http://www.biorefiningmagazine.com) & Hydrocarbon Processing, Nov 2010, 89 (11), 28 & Chemical Engineering (New York), Nov 2010, 117 (12), 15

BASF to acquire CRI/Criterion’s global styrene catalysts business On 29 Nov 2010 BASF announced it had signed a purchase agreement to acquire the styrene catalysts business of CRI/Criterion (a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell based in Houston, TX). Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed. CRI/Criterion is a leading global manufacturer of chemical catalysts used in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene, which is a vital ingredient in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. The acquisition provides a strong complement to BASF’s existing styrene catalysts business. Upon deal closing, BASF will work closely with

CRI/Criterion’s business, manufacturing, and R&D teams to ensure a seamless customer and technology transition. BASF’s updated styrene catalyst portfolio will then be established over time, based on an evaluation and comparative benchmarking of the performance characteristics of both BASF and CRI/Criterion solutions. Closing the acquisition is expected to occur by year-end 2010, subject to the satisfaction of all requisite regulatory approvals. Press releases from: BASF SE, D-67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 621 600. Website: http://www.basf.com (29 Nov 2010 and 4 Jan 2011)

BASF acquires catalyst business from CRI/Criterion BASF has signed an agreement to acquire the styrene catalyst activity of CRI/Criterion, a Shell subsidiary based at Houston, TX. The deal is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010. BASF had sales of €3.64 bn for Jan-Sep 2010 compared with €2.12 bn in the same period of 2009. The German ministry for research and education has approved funding of €2.2 M for research into BASF’s catalysts and those of the BASF company HTE AG. BASF is collaborating with the Technical University of Munich on a method to produce sodium acrylate from carbon dioxide. BASF and HTE will provide an additional €1.7 M. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 6 Dec 2010, (531), 5 (in French) & Chemical Week, 6 Dec 2010 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Het Financieele Dagblad, 30 Nov 2010, (279), 13 (in Dutch) & Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 7 Jan 2011 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)

BASF enters agreement to market additional molecular sieve products BASF Catalysts LLC and Chemiewerk Bad Kostritz have signed an original equipment manufacturing deal to supply molecular sieve products to the natural gas, petroleum refining, petrochemical, and air-drying sectors. The business will be managed by BASF, through its Adsorbents unit. Chemical Engineering (New York), Dec 2010, 117 (13), 59

FEBRUARY 2011