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BASF invests in Renmatix's lignocellulose technology
FOCUS years, from 43°C to 41°C. On 1-2 Dec 2011, Novozymes will host the second Copenhagen Household Care Sustainability Summit. Press release from: 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 (1 Dec 2011)
Green chemicals: growing number of chemical firms enter bio-butanol space Eastman Chemical and Rhodia are just a few of the rising number of global chemical companies that are turning to bio-butanol in the face of the continuing uncertainty in securing supply for propylene, the primary feedstock in petroleum-based butanol production. France’s Rhodia and USA-based bio-butanol developer Cobalt Technologies have entered into a development and commercialization deal for sugarcane bagasse-based nbutanol. Initially, the companies will study options to implement Cobalt’s technology at a pilot plant co-located or close to a sugar mill in Brazil. Eastman has also joined the biobutanol arena with the acquisition of USA-based TetraVitae Bioscience through its subsidiary, Eastman Renewable Materials. TetraVitae is developing a proprietary technology to produce bio-based n-butanol and bio-acetone using a patented fermentation organism. According to US consultant Nexant, the world butanol market is forecast to grow to $9.2 bn in 2015, from $5.9 bn in 2011. A line graph tracks n-butanol prices in Asia Pacific, the USA and Europe in Nov 2010-Nov 2011. Two pie charts present global butanol demand by application in 2010; and global butanol demand by region in 2010.
ON
C ATA LY S T S
which is developing a process for converting lignocellulose into industrial sugar. The process, called Plantrose, uses supercritical water to separate the lignin from the sugars, but without using a catalyst. Original source ICIS Chemical Business, 9 Jan 2012, 281(2), 6 (Website http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Ltd 2012
BASF SE and Purac tie-up Talks are now underway between BASF SE and CSM nv’s subsidiary Purac to establish a jv for bio-based succinic acid production. The partners highlight a newly developed process that brings together high efficiency with use of renewable substrates and the fixation of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process. A broad variety of C3, C5 and C6 renewable feedstocks can be processed, including biomass sources, using the microorganism Basfia succiniciproducens. Original Source: Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, Sep/Oct 2011, 29 (5), 13 (Website: http://www.teknoscienze.com) © Teknoscienze Srl 2011
BASF and UniCat Cluster of Excellence establish joint lab on alternatives to petroleum
BASF invests in Renmatix’s lignocellulose technology
On 8 Dec 2011, the Cluster of Excellence Unifying Concepts in Catalysis (UniCat) and the chemical company BASF SE signed a cooperation agreement establishing a new joint lab dedicated to the development of new catalytic processes for raw material change. The move promotes the search for alternatives to petroleum, in particular the use of natural gas. The long term goal is to ensure the continued future availability of raw materials for the production of chemicals. BASF SE and Technische Universität Berlin are putting substantial resources into setting up the UniCatBASF Joint Lab. BASF plans to invest up to €6.4 M during the first 5 years. The total volume amounts to about €13 M. 12 postdocs and postgrads will do research in the 900 sq m lab. Installation of equipment for catalyst synthesis, characterization, and testing starts in Jan 2012.
BASF is to invest $30 M in Renmatix (headquartered in Pennsylvania)
Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (8 Dec 2011)
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 5 Dec 2011 (Website http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2011
COMPANY NEWS
2
Blue Horizon patents biodiesel technology Blue Horizon Bio-Diesel Inc has licensed a patent-pending technology to transform hydrocarbons and lowgrade cellulosic materials into highgrade biodiesel from two unnamed third parties. The technology is based on a low-temperature, low-pressure catalytically driven process that can break down complex carbon molecules and polymers into shorter hydrocarbons. BH Bio-Diesel will establish a 750 litre/hr (198 gallon/hr) demonstration plant at a leased facility in Bruderheim, AB, Canada. The technology can also produce methyl ester biodiesel using canola oil, yellow grease, and other fats and oil feedstocks. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Nov 2011 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2011
Catalyst Group partners with China Chemical Information Catalyst Group, a US-based chemicals and polymers consultancy, has entered into a strategic partnership with the China National Chemical Information Center (CNIC), through which each entity will be able to cross-commercialize products and broaden their respective global presences. Each of the organizations will share their sales channels, and together seek prospects to further cultivate Europe’s chemical market and the Chinese chemical market. Catalyst Group said the tie-up would expand offerings for both companies. Original Source: Plastics News, 29 Nov 2011 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc
Codexis introduces CodeXyme cellulase enzyme product line for biobased chemicals Codexis Inc has introduced the CodeXyme cellulase enzyme product line to convert biomass to sugar, enabling cost effective production of sustainable products. CodeXyme Cellulase enzymes have the potential to deliver lower-cost sugar from abundant, locally available feedstocks, enabling an economically viable biobased chemical industry. PR Newswire, 7 Dec 2011 (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
FEBRUARY 2012
Green chemicals: growing number of chemical firms enter bio-butanol space Eastman Chemical and Rhodia are just a few of the rising number of global chemical companies that are turning to bio-butanol in the face of the continuing uncertainty in securing supply for propylene, the primary feedstock in petroleum-based butanol production. France’s Rhodia and USA-based bio-butanol developer Cobalt Technologies have entered into a development and commercialization deal for sugarcane bagasse-based nbutanol. Initially, the companies will study options to implement Cobalt’s technology at a pilot plant co-located or close to a sugar mill in Brazil. Eastman has also joined the biobutanol arena with the acquisition of USA-based TetraVitae Bioscience through its subsidiary, Eastman Renewable Materials. TetraVitae is developing a proprietary technology to produce bio-based n-butanol and bio-acetone using a patented fermentation organism. According to US consultant Nexant, the world butanol market is forecast to grow to $9.2 bn in 2015, from $5.9 bn in 2011. A line graph tracks n-butanol prices in Asia Pacific, the USA and Europe in Nov 2010-Nov 2011. Two pie charts present global butanol demand by application in 2010; and global butanol demand by region in 2010.
ON
C ATA LY S T S
which is developing a process for converting lignocellulose into industrial sugar. The process, called Plantrose, uses supercritical water to separate the lignin from the sugars, but without using a catalyst. Original source ICIS Chemical Business, 9 Jan 2012, 281(2), 6 (Website http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Ltd 2012
BASF SE and Purac tie-up Talks are now underway between BASF SE and CSM nv’s subsidiary Purac to establish a jv for bio-based succinic acid production. The partners highlight a newly developed process that brings together high efficiency with use of renewable substrates and the fixation of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process. A broad variety of C3, C5 and C6 renewable feedstocks can be processed, including biomass sources, using the microorganism Basfia succiniciproducens. Original Source: Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, Sep/Oct 2011, 29 (5), 13 (Website: http://www.teknoscienze.com) © Teknoscienze Srl 2011
BASF and UniCat Cluster of Excellence establish joint lab on alternatives to petroleum
BASF invests in Renmatix’s lignocellulose technology
On 8 Dec 2011, the Cluster of Excellence Unifying Concepts in Catalysis (UniCat) and the chemical company BASF SE signed a cooperation agreement establishing a new joint lab dedicated to the development of new catalytic processes for raw material change. The move promotes the search for alternatives to petroleum, in particular the use of natural gas. The long term goal is to ensure the continued future availability of raw materials for the production of chemicals. BASF SE and Technische Universität Berlin are putting substantial resources into setting up the UniCatBASF Joint Lab. BASF plans to invest up to €6.4 M during the first 5 years. The total volume amounts to about €13 M. 12 postdocs and postgrads will do research in the 900 sq m lab. Installation of equipment for catalyst synthesis, characterization, and testing starts in Jan 2012.
BASF is to invest $30 M in Renmatix (headquartered in Pennsylvania)
Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (8 Dec 2011)
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 5 Dec 2011 (Website http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2011
COMPANY NEWS
2
Blue Horizon patents biodiesel technology Blue Horizon Bio-Diesel Inc has licensed a patent-pending technology to transform hydrocarbons and lowgrade cellulosic materials into highgrade biodiesel from two unnamed third parties. The technology is based on a low-temperature, low-pressure catalytically driven process that can break down complex carbon molecules and polymers into shorter hydrocarbons. BH Bio-Diesel will establish a 750 litre/hr (198 gallon/hr) demonstration plant at a leased facility in Bruderheim, AB, Canada. The technology can also produce methyl ester biodiesel using canola oil, yellow grease, and other fats and oil feedstocks. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Nov 2011 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2011
Catalyst Group partners with China Chemical Information Catalyst Group, a US-based chemicals and polymers consultancy, has entered into a strategic partnership with the China National Chemical Information Center (CNIC), through which each entity will be able to cross-commercialize products and broaden their respective global presences. Each of the organizations will share their sales channels, and together seek prospects to further cultivate Europe’s chemical market and the Chinese chemical market. Catalyst Group said the tie-up would expand offerings for both companies. Original Source: Plastics News, 29 Nov 2011 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc
Codexis introduces CodeXyme cellulase enzyme product line for biobased chemicals Codexis Inc has introduced the CodeXyme cellulase enzyme product line to convert biomass to sugar, enabling cost effective production of sustainable products. CodeXyme Cellulase enzymes have the potential to deliver lower-cost sugar from abundant, locally available feedstocks, enabling an economically viable biobased chemical industry. PR Newswire, 7 Dec 2011 (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
FEBRUARY 2012