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BASF, Cargill, and Novozymes link up for acrylic acid project
FOCUS information regarding the policies and activities in fuel cells and hydrogen in the US and the District of Columbia. Details are given of new and planned projects by companies including Walmart, Apple, Coca-Cola and eBay. In the top five states, (California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas and South Carolina) over 1500 forklifts powered by fuel cells are already in operation. Original Source: Renewable Energy Focus (Online Version) 31 Aug 2012, (Website: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com) © Elsevier Ltd 2012
US energy department grants $15 M for algal fuel research The Arizona State University-led Algae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP3) will get a $15 M award from the US Department of Energy for its advancements in sustainable algal production opportunities. Various agencies including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories, Cellana, Touchstone Research Laboratory, SRS Energy, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, and Commercial Algae Management have contributed to a partnership at the Polytechnic campus of the Arizona State University. ATP3 offers testbed facilities to the algal research community in Arizona, Hawaii, California, Ohio, and Georgia. The DoE’s initiative will now give companies and research institutes access to its facilities and data from long-term algal cultivation trials for further developing algal bio-fuels. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 19 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/) © CTBR 2012
Industrial enzymes: technology trends and opportunities The world market for industrial enzymes has been calculated to rise at a CAGR of 4% to $2.70 bn by 2012 and a CAGR of 9.1% to $6 bn by 2016. Food and beverage enzymes account for the biggest segment of industrial enzymes with a market share that is expected to increase at a CAGR of 10.4% to $2.1 bn by 2016. Technical enzymes follow, with approximately $1.10 bn revenues in
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2010 and almost $1.2 bn in 2011. The technical enzymes market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 8.2% to reach $1.70 bn by 2016. In India, the market for industrial enzymes was pegged at $119 M in 2009-2010, up 14%/y from 2008-2009. Major players in the domestic market include Novozymes with a market share of more than 50%, and Advanced Enzyme Technologies with a market share of 25%-30%. A table shows industrial enzymes and their applications. A bar graph describes the global market for industrial enzymes.
chosen to use the SuPR2G Laboratory Scale Pre-treatment Reactor from AdvanceBio Systems LLC in its research projects. The work will be carried out to develop processes to produce biofuels and other chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. The two companies will work together on the projects. Research carried out by various organisations on enzymes which can hydrolyze cellulose has identified pre-treatment as a vital process stage. CTBE and AdvanceBio aim to raise bioethanol yields from sugarcane feedstock by at least 30%.
Original Source: Chemical Business (India), Jul 2012, 26 (7), 31-37 (Website: http://www. printsjournals.com/) © Prints India 2012
Original Source: Renewable Energy Focus (Online Version), 22 Aug 2012, (Website: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com) © Elsevier Ltd 2012
Enzymes: a market survey The US demand for enzymes is projected to reach $2.8 bn in 2014, increasing 4.8%/y. The biggest selling enzyme product type will continue to be carbohydrates, although growth will be below average due to modest sales in the starch processing and biofuels sectors. The world market for enzyme inhibitors amounted to almost $104.6 bn in 2011 versus $104.4 bn in 2010. BCC Research projects this market will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4% to reach nearly $127.4 bn by 2016. In Europe, the enzyme inhibitors market reached $32.4 bn in 2011 versus $32 bn in 2010. This market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 3.6% to nearly $38.7 bn by 2016. Meanwhile, the global enzyme demand will see average increases of 6.3%/y through 2015, dominated by animal feed and food and beverage enzymes. A bar graph describes global revenue of industrial enzymes market in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016. Original Source: Chemical Business (India), Jul 2012, 26 (7), 45-46 (Website: http://www.printsjournals.com/) © Prints India 2012
COMPANY NEWS AdvanceBio Systems wins Brazil contract for biomass pre-treatment research The Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE) has
Albemarle celebrates grand opening of R&D centre at catalyst manufacturing facilities in S Korea Albemarle Corp has celebrated the opening of a new research and operations centre (ROC) at its facility in Yeosu, S Korea. The Yeosu facility is currently producing lab-scale and pilot-scale quantities of single site catalysts and components used in the polymer industry. The ROC addition will house new analytical and polymerisation labs designed to support R&D and manufacturing efforts for these products. PR Newswire, 28 Aug 2012, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
Alfa Aesar offers family of novel biocatalysts Alfa Aesar has made available an X-Zyme family of novel biocatalysts that complement the synthetic capabilities of its existing products. The new additions include 11 enzyme kits, which will be used in screening and identifying reaction conditions for chiral synthesis. Original Source: Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, Jul/Aug 2012, 30 (4), 11 (Website: http://www.teknoscienze.com/) © Teknoscienze Srl 2012
BASF, Cargill, and Novozymes link up for acrylic acid project BASF has joined Cargill and Novozymes in a project for bio-acrylic acid. Novozymes and Cargill have been collaborating for 4 years in the
NOVEMBER 2012
FOCUS development of microorganisms capable of converting renewable raw materials to 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-PH), a possible precursor for acrylic acid. BASF will contribute a process for the conversion of 3-PH to acrylic acid. The German group is one of the world’s largest acrylic acid producers. It plans to use the bioacrylic acid for the manufacture of superabsorbent polymers, adhesives, and coatings. World production of acrylic acid was 4.5 M tonnes in 2011. The market was worth $11 bn (€8.7 bn) at the end of 2011 and is growing by 4%/y. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 3 Sep 2012, (603), 6 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie) (in French) © ETAI Information 2012. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Aug 2012, 90 (35), 8 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) © American Chemical Society 2012
Clariant to buy remaining share of jv Clariant has agreed to buy the remaining 40% share of Ukrainebased Süd-Chemie Alvigo Catalysts GmbH, a syngas catalyst jv between Alvigo AS and Süd-Chemie AG. The deal, which was signed at the end of Jun 2012, is pending merger control approval. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Sep 2012, 28 (9), 19 (Website: http://www.pcimag.com/) © BNP Media 2012
Codexis secures licence from Shell to market cellulase enzymes Codexis and Shell have entered into a new global commercialisation agreement for its CodeXyme cellulase enzymes used in bio-fuels production, terminating the old agreement. In Nov 2006, Codexis and Shell entered into an Amended and Restated Collaborative Research Agreement. According to this agreement, Codexis developed CodeXyme for Shell. As per the new agreement, Codexis has royalty-bearing, non-exclusive licence for developing, manufacturing, using, and selling CodeXyme cellulase enzymes used in bio-fuels. Also, Shell will receive a percentage royalty in single-digits, on net sales of CodeXyme and will also not sell any cellulase enzymes to third party biofuel customers using technology developed by Codexis. However, Brazil is excluded from the new agreement and Codexis is negotiating
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with Raizen for selling its cellulase enzymes for second generation ethanol production in Brazil. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 5 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/) © CTBR 2012
Codexis splits from Shell and restructures US biocatalysis specialist Codexis recently ended its research collaboration with oil group Shell ahead of schedule. The aim of the partnership was to develop methods for converting biomass into biofuels and was due to have run until Nov 2012. As a result of its premature conclusion, Shell will have to pay $7.5 M in milestone payments. At end Aug 2012 the partners signed a new agreement giving Codexis non-exclusive rights to develop, produce, use, and sell Codexyme brand cellulase enzymes developed under their partnership. The agreement is valid worldwide except in Brazil and covers applications in the biofuels sector. Codexis already has an exclusive licence to use cellulases in other sectors. In exchange it will pay royalties on sales to Shell. Shell will retain the right to use and produce these enzymes over the next 10 years. The ending of this strategic collaboration will mean the loss of a continuous source of funding for workers employed in research. In order to control expenses and retain resources for current and future programmes, Codexis has announced that it is shedding 133 jobs with effect from 30 Oct 2012. The group has not specified which functions will be affected. The measure will cost $3.6 M against 2H 2012 results. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 10 Sep 2012, (604), 7 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French) © ETAI Information 2012
Evonik and BioAmber to cooperate The Catalysts Division of German company Evonik Industries signed a long-term agreement with US company BioAmber for the development and manufacture of catalysts which are derived from biobased succinic acid. The 1,4-butandiol, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and gamma-butyrolactone manufactured with the catalysts are industrial chemicals, which primarily find applications in plastics, paints, adhesives, and solvents. The global market for these products, which can be manufactured using petrochemicals, is estimated at $4 bn/y. Original Source: Farbe und Lack (Online Version), 25 Jul 2012, (Website: http://www.farbeundlack.de/) (in German) © Vincentz Network 2012
Lignol successfully completes enzyme optimisation work with Novozymes Lignol Energy Corp (Lignol), a leading technology company in the advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals sector, has successfully completed a major body of work in producing cellulosic ethanol at Lignol’s pilotscale biorefinery, in partnership with Novozymes Inc, a world leader in bioinnovation. The work involved optimisation of process conditions for the use of Novozymes’ latest cellulase enzyme preparation, Cellic CTec 3, with Lignol’s substrate, using Lignol’s 2500 lt fermenters. Performance improvements of up to 35% were observed, as compared to previously best achieved results. PR Newswire, 6 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
LyondellBasell report 2Q 2012: technology
Dow Chemical has concluded an 18-month programme to eliminate organomercury catalysts from its polyurethane elastomers. The move will permit the company to meet European Union regulations five years before the regulations take effect.
The principal products of LyondellBasell’s technology segment include polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses and related services. The segment’s 2Q 2012 EBITDA fell to $49 M (down from $57 M in 1Q 2012) due to lower licensing and services income coupled with lower catalyst volumes. The segment’s 2Q 2011 EBITDA was $42 M.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Aug 2012, 90 (35), 21 (Website: http://www.cenonline.org) © American Chemical Society 2012
Original Source: LyondellBasell, website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com (27 Jul 2012) © LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV 2012
Dow stops use of organomercury catalysts
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US energy department grants $15 M for algal fuel research The Arizona State University-led Algae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP3) will get a $15 M award from the US Department of Energy for its advancements in sustainable algal production opportunities. Various agencies including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories, Cellana, Touchstone Research Laboratory, SRS Energy, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, and Commercial Algae Management have contributed to a partnership at the Polytechnic campus of the Arizona State University. ATP3 offers testbed facilities to the algal research community in Arizona, Hawaii, California, Ohio, and Georgia. The DoE’s initiative will now give companies and research institutes access to its facilities and data from long-term algal cultivation trials for further developing algal bio-fuels. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 19 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/) © CTBR 2012
Industrial enzymes: technology trends and opportunities The world market for industrial enzymes has been calculated to rise at a CAGR of 4% to $2.70 bn by 2012 and a CAGR of 9.1% to $6 bn by 2016. Food and beverage enzymes account for the biggest segment of industrial enzymes with a market share that is expected to increase at a CAGR of 10.4% to $2.1 bn by 2016. Technical enzymes follow, with approximately $1.10 bn revenues in
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2010 and almost $1.2 bn in 2011. The technical enzymes market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 8.2% to reach $1.70 bn by 2016. In India, the market for industrial enzymes was pegged at $119 M in 2009-2010, up 14%/y from 2008-2009. Major players in the domestic market include Novozymes with a market share of more than 50%, and Advanced Enzyme Technologies with a market share of 25%-30%. A table shows industrial enzymes and their applications. A bar graph describes the global market for industrial enzymes.
chosen to use the SuPR2G Laboratory Scale Pre-treatment Reactor from AdvanceBio Systems LLC in its research projects. The work will be carried out to develop processes to produce biofuels and other chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. The two companies will work together on the projects. Research carried out by various organisations on enzymes which can hydrolyze cellulose has identified pre-treatment as a vital process stage. CTBE and AdvanceBio aim to raise bioethanol yields from sugarcane feedstock by at least 30%.
Original Source: Chemical Business (India), Jul 2012, 26 (7), 31-37 (Website: http://www. printsjournals.com/) © Prints India 2012
Original Source: Renewable Energy Focus (Online Version), 22 Aug 2012, (Website: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com) © Elsevier Ltd 2012
Enzymes: a market survey The US demand for enzymes is projected to reach $2.8 bn in 2014, increasing 4.8%/y. The biggest selling enzyme product type will continue to be carbohydrates, although growth will be below average due to modest sales in the starch processing and biofuels sectors. The world market for enzyme inhibitors amounted to almost $104.6 bn in 2011 versus $104.4 bn in 2010. BCC Research projects this market will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4% to reach nearly $127.4 bn by 2016. In Europe, the enzyme inhibitors market reached $32.4 bn in 2011 versus $32 bn in 2010. This market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 3.6% to nearly $38.7 bn by 2016. Meanwhile, the global enzyme demand will see average increases of 6.3%/y through 2015, dominated by animal feed and food and beverage enzymes. A bar graph describes global revenue of industrial enzymes market in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016. Original Source: Chemical Business (India), Jul 2012, 26 (7), 45-46 (Website: http://www.printsjournals.com/) © Prints India 2012
COMPANY NEWS AdvanceBio Systems wins Brazil contract for biomass pre-treatment research The Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE) has
Albemarle celebrates grand opening of R&D centre at catalyst manufacturing facilities in S Korea Albemarle Corp has celebrated the opening of a new research and operations centre (ROC) at its facility in Yeosu, S Korea. The Yeosu facility is currently producing lab-scale and pilot-scale quantities of single site catalysts and components used in the polymer industry. The ROC addition will house new analytical and polymerisation labs designed to support R&D and manufacturing efforts for these products. PR Newswire, 28 Aug 2012, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
Alfa Aesar offers family of novel biocatalysts Alfa Aesar has made available an X-Zyme family of novel biocatalysts that complement the synthetic capabilities of its existing products. The new additions include 11 enzyme kits, which will be used in screening and identifying reaction conditions for chiral synthesis. Original Source: Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, Jul/Aug 2012, 30 (4), 11 (Website: http://www.teknoscienze.com/) © Teknoscienze Srl 2012
BASF, Cargill, and Novozymes link up for acrylic acid project BASF has joined Cargill and Novozymes in a project for bio-acrylic acid. Novozymes and Cargill have been collaborating for 4 years in the
NOVEMBER 2012
FOCUS development of microorganisms capable of converting renewable raw materials to 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-PH), a possible precursor for acrylic acid. BASF will contribute a process for the conversion of 3-PH to acrylic acid. The German group is one of the world’s largest acrylic acid producers. It plans to use the bioacrylic acid for the manufacture of superabsorbent polymers, adhesives, and coatings. World production of acrylic acid was 4.5 M tonnes in 2011. The market was worth $11 bn (€8.7 bn) at the end of 2011 and is growing by 4%/y. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 3 Sep 2012, (603), 6 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie) (in French) © ETAI Information 2012. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Aug 2012, 90 (35), 8 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) © American Chemical Society 2012
Clariant to buy remaining share of jv Clariant has agreed to buy the remaining 40% share of Ukrainebased Süd-Chemie Alvigo Catalysts GmbH, a syngas catalyst jv between Alvigo AS and Süd-Chemie AG. The deal, which was signed at the end of Jun 2012, is pending merger control approval. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Sep 2012, 28 (9), 19 (Website: http://www.pcimag.com/) © BNP Media 2012
Codexis secures licence from Shell to market cellulase enzymes Codexis and Shell have entered into a new global commercialisation agreement for its CodeXyme cellulase enzymes used in bio-fuels production, terminating the old agreement. In Nov 2006, Codexis and Shell entered into an Amended and Restated Collaborative Research Agreement. According to this agreement, Codexis developed CodeXyme for Shell. As per the new agreement, Codexis has royalty-bearing, non-exclusive licence for developing, manufacturing, using, and selling CodeXyme cellulase enzymes used in bio-fuels. Also, Shell will receive a percentage royalty in single-digits, on net sales of CodeXyme and will also not sell any cellulase enzymes to third party biofuel customers using technology developed by Codexis. However, Brazil is excluded from the new agreement and Codexis is negotiating
NOVEMBER 2012
ON
C ATA LY S T S
with Raizen for selling its cellulase enzymes for second generation ethanol production in Brazil. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 5 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/) © CTBR 2012
Codexis splits from Shell and restructures US biocatalysis specialist Codexis recently ended its research collaboration with oil group Shell ahead of schedule. The aim of the partnership was to develop methods for converting biomass into biofuels and was due to have run until Nov 2012. As a result of its premature conclusion, Shell will have to pay $7.5 M in milestone payments. At end Aug 2012 the partners signed a new agreement giving Codexis non-exclusive rights to develop, produce, use, and sell Codexyme brand cellulase enzymes developed under their partnership. The agreement is valid worldwide except in Brazil and covers applications in the biofuels sector. Codexis already has an exclusive licence to use cellulases in other sectors. In exchange it will pay royalties on sales to Shell. Shell will retain the right to use and produce these enzymes over the next 10 years. The ending of this strategic collaboration will mean the loss of a continuous source of funding for workers employed in research. In order to control expenses and retain resources for current and future programmes, Codexis has announced that it is shedding 133 jobs with effect from 30 Oct 2012. The group has not specified which functions will be affected. The measure will cost $3.6 M against 2H 2012 results. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 10 Sep 2012, (604), 7 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French) © ETAI Information 2012
Evonik and BioAmber to cooperate The Catalysts Division of German company Evonik Industries signed a long-term agreement with US company BioAmber for the development and manufacture of catalysts which are derived from biobased succinic acid. The 1,4-butandiol, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and gamma-butyrolactone manufactured with the catalysts are industrial chemicals, which primarily find applications in plastics, paints, adhesives, and solvents. The global market for these products, which can be manufactured using petrochemicals, is estimated at $4 bn/y. Original Source: Farbe und Lack (Online Version), 25 Jul 2012, (Website: http://www.farbeundlack.de/) (in German) © Vincentz Network 2012
Lignol successfully completes enzyme optimisation work with Novozymes Lignol Energy Corp (Lignol), a leading technology company in the advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals sector, has successfully completed a major body of work in producing cellulosic ethanol at Lignol’s pilotscale biorefinery, in partnership with Novozymes Inc, a world leader in bioinnovation. The work involved optimisation of process conditions for the use of Novozymes’ latest cellulase enzyme preparation, Cellic CTec 3, with Lignol’s substrate, using Lignol’s 2500 lt fermenters. Performance improvements of up to 35% were observed, as compared to previously best achieved results. PR Newswire, 6 Sep 2012, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
LyondellBasell report 2Q 2012: technology
Dow Chemical has concluded an 18-month programme to eliminate organomercury catalysts from its polyurethane elastomers. The move will permit the company to meet European Union regulations five years before the regulations take effect.
The principal products of LyondellBasell’s technology segment include polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses and related services. The segment’s 2Q 2012 EBITDA fell to $49 M (down from $57 M in 1Q 2012) due to lower licensing and services income coupled with lower catalyst volumes. The segment’s 2Q 2011 EBITDA was $42 M.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 27 Aug 2012, 90 (35), 21 (Website: http://www.cenonline.org) © American Chemical Society 2012
Original Source: LyondellBasell, website: http://www.lyondellbasell.com (27 Jul 2012) © LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV 2012
Dow stops use of organomercury catalysts
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