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BASF achieves leap in earnings during 1H 2010: Functional Solutions in 2Q 2010
FOCUS supply agreements. Albemarle Corp, headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highlyengineered speciality chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/ transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety, and custom chemistry services. 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 (30 Aug 2010)
BASF achieves leap in earnings during 1H 2010: Functional Solutions in 2Q 2010 Sales in BASF’s Functional Solutions segment rose sharply in all regions in 2Q 2010, mainly due to stronger demand from the automotive industry, and increased 40% compared with 2Q 2009. EBIT before special items was up €117 M compared with the previous year (+244%). In addition to a more favourable business environment, successful restructuring measures contributed to this development. Positive currency effects and higher precious metals prices helped to boost sales (volumes 19%, prices 11%, portfolio 1%, currencies 9%). All divisions increased their income from operations before special items. This was a result of both an improved business environment as well as successful restructuring measures. Sales in BASF’s Catalysts division increased sharply. Sales volumes for mobile emission catalysts in particular grew thanks to the recovery in the automotive sector. Sales in precious metals trading rose on account of higher volumes and prices to €609 M (up from €261 M in 2Q 2009). For chemical and refinery catalysts, sales overall were slightly above the level in 2Q 2009. Thanks to increased volumes and lower fixed costs, the division again made a significant contribution to earnings following a loss posted in 2Q 2009. BASF Results 1H 2010, 29 Jul 2010 (BASF SE, D67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0)621 600. Website: http://www.basf.com)
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International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo. Trademarked Spezyme Robust Starch Liquefaction (RSL) enzyme, the product is claimed to have increased efficiency in liquefying dry ground corn or milo. It can also be used across a wide range of pH levels with improved thermal stability. Spezyme RSL is the result of a three year controlled experiment and testing period. There are now 20 different ethanol plants using Spezyme RSL, with each plant projected to cut sulfuric acid usage by 25-50%. Novozymes also unveiled its new product, the Spirizyme Excel enzyme, at the Expo. Spirizyme Excel can break down the most difficult starch fractions in the feedstock to boost production yields, says the company. Ethanol Producer Magazine, Aug 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
Haldor Topsoe and CoaLogix to collaborate On 24 Aug 2010, Haldor Topsoe Inc and CoaLogix Inc announced collaboration in supplying certified regenerated SCR catalyst to the power industry. Haldor Topsoe and CoaLogix have developed a closer collaboration since 2009, which has now been executed into a signed agreement to provide additional value in connection with SCR catalyst supply to the Power generation Industry. Haldor Topsoe will utilise CoaLogix services exclusively to regenerate spent Topsoe SCR catalyst to be re-used in the power industry. Haldor Topsoe will work with its clients to optimise a catalyst loading system including various ratios of Topsoe Certified Regenerated Catalyst and fresh catalyst to minimise the life cycle cost while maintaining an efficient, trouble free NOx conversion in the plants. CoaLogix, the leader in SCR regeneration services for power generation is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (24 Aug 2010)
New enzymes for corn ethanol
Johnson Matthey to divest its Vertec business
Genencor has launched a new enzyme for corn ethanol at the 2010
Further to Johnson Matthey’s announcement on 27 May 2010 that it
OCTOBER 2010
was consulting with employees on the future of its Vertec business, the company announced on 16 Aug 2010 that it had agreed to divest the Vertec business. The Vertec business’ order book is to be acquired by Dorf Ketal Chemicals AG, a subsidiary of Dorf Ketal Chemicals (India) Pvt Ltd (www.dorfketal.com), for £4.6 M. The transaction is conditional upon regulatory clearance and is expected to be completed by 30 Sep 2010. Johnson Matthey has agreed to enter into a toll manufacturing agreement with Dorf Ketal upon completion of the divestment. Under this agreement, the company will continue to manufacture and supply products to Dorf Ketal from its Haverton site in Billingham, UK, until 31 Mar 2011, at which time the Haverton manufacturing site will close. Press release from: Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 207 269 8400. Fax: +44 207 269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com (16 Aug 2010)
LyondellBasell reports 2Q 2010 results: Technology segment For its 2Q 2010, the Technology segment of LyondellBasell has reported operating income of €31 M (€67 M for its 2Q 2009) and EBITDAR of €43 M (€101 M). For its 1H 2010, this segment has reported operating loss of €62 M (€117 M for its 1H 2009) and EBITDAR of €90 M (€167 M). The principal products of the Technology segment are polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses. There is discussion of the business and of the results. LyondellBasell Results 2Q 2010, 16 Aug 2010 (LyondellBasell, PO Box 2416, 3000 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 10 275 5500. Website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com)
Novozymes 1H 2010: 2010 outlook For 2010, Novozymes’ total sales are now expected to grow by 79% in local currency (LCY) and organically. Based on currency rates at 11 Aug 2010, sales growth in DKR is expected at 10-12%. The full-year sales growth expectation is based on an average growth rate for the coming two quarters that is lower than the growth seen in the first half. Although no structural changes are expected in Novozymes’ business environment, 1H 2009 was easier from a
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BASF achieves leap in earnings during 1H 2010: Functional Solutions in 2Q 2010 Sales in BASF’s Functional Solutions segment rose sharply in all regions in 2Q 2010, mainly due to stronger demand from the automotive industry, and increased 40% compared with 2Q 2009. EBIT before special items was up €117 M compared with the previous year (+244%). In addition to a more favourable business environment, successful restructuring measures contributed to this development. Positive currency effects and higher precious metals prices helped to boost sales (volumes 19%, prices 11%, portfolio 1%, currencies 9%). All divisions increased their income from operations before special items. This was a result of both an improved business environment as well as successful restructuring measures. Sales in BASF’s Catalysts division increased sharply. Sales volumes for mobile emission catalysts in particular grew thanks to the recovery in the automotive sector. Sales in precious metals trading rose on account of higher volumes and prices to €609 M (up from €261 M in 2Q 2009). For chemical and refinery catalysts, sales overall were slightly above the level in 2Q 2009. Thanks to increased volumes and lower fixed costs, the division again made a significant contribution to earnings following a loss posted in 2Q 2009. BASF Results 1H 2010, 29 Jul 2010 (BASF SE, D67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0)621 600. Website: http://www.basf.com)
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C ATA LY S T S
International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo. Trademarked Spezyme Robust Starch Liquefaction (RSL) enzyme, the product is claimed to have increased efficiency in liquefying dry ground corn or milo. It can also be used across a wide range of pH levels with improved thermal stability. Spezyme RSL is the result of a three year controlled experiment and testing period. There are now 20 different ethanol plants using Spezyme RSL, with each plant projected to cut sulfuric acid usage by 25-50%. Novozymes also unveiled its new product, the Spirizyme Excel enzyme, at the Expo. Spirizyme Excel can break down the most difficult starch fractions in the feedstock to boost production yields, says the company. Ethanol Producer Magazine, Aug 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
Haldor Topsoe and CoaLogix to collaborate On 24 Aug 2010, Haldor Topsoe Inc and CoaLogix Inc announced collaboration in supplying certified regenerated SCR catalyst to the power industry. Haldor Topsoe and CoaLogix have developed a closer collaboration since 2009, which has now been executed into a signed agreement to provide additional value in connection with SCR catalyst supply to the Power generation Industry. Haldor Topsoe will utilise CoaLogix services exclusively to regenerate spent Topsoe SCR catalyst to be re-used in the power industry. Haldor Topsoe will work with its clients to optimise a catalyst loading system including various ratios of Topsoe Certified Regenerated Catalyst and fresh catalyst to minimise the life cycle cost while maintaining an efficient, trouble free NOx conversion in the plants. CoaLogix, the leader in SCR regeneration services for power generation is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (24 Aug 2010)
New enzymes for corn ethanol
Johnson Matthey to divest its Vertec business
Genencor has launched a new enzyme for corn ethanol at the 2010
Further to Johnson Matthey’s announcement on 27 May 2010 that it
OCTOBER 2010
was consulting with employees on the future of its Vertec business, the company announced on 16 Aug 2010 that it had agreed to divest the Vertec business. The Vertec business’ order book is to be acquired by Dorf Ketal Chemicals AG, a subsidiary of Dorf Ketal Chemicals (India) Pvt Ltd (www.dorfketal.com), for £4.6 M. The transaction is conditional upon regulatory clearance and is expected to be completed by 30 Sep 2010. Johnson Matthey has agreed to enter into a toll manufacturing agreement with Dorf Ketal upon completion of the divestment. Under this agreement, the company will continue to manufacture and supply products to Dorf Ketal from its Haverton site in Billingham, UK, until 31 Mar 2011, at which time the Haverton manufacturing site will close. Press release from: Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 207 269 8400. Fax: +44 207 269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com (16 Aug 2010)
LyondellBasell reports 2Q 2010 results: Technology segment For its 2Q 2010, the Technology segment of LyondellBasell has reported operating income of €31 M (€67 M for its 2Q 2009) and EBITDAR of €43 M (€101 M). For its 1H 2010, this segment has reported operating loss of €62 M (€117 M for its 1H 2009) and EBITDAR of €90 M (€167 M). The principal products of the Technology segment are polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses. There is discussion of the business and of the results. LyondellBasell Results 2Q 2010, 16 Aug 2010 (LyondellBasell, PO Box 2416, 3000 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 10 275 5500. Website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com)
Novozymes 1H 2010: 2010 outlook For 2010, Novozymes’ total sales are now expected to grow by 79% in local currency (LCY) and organically. Based on currency rates at 11 Aug 2010, sales growth in DKR is expected at 10-12%. The full-year sales growth expectation is based on an average growth rate for the coming two quarters that is lower than the growth seen in the first half. Although no structural changes are expected in Novozymes’ business environment, 1H 2009 was easier from a
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