- Email: [email protected]
BASF sets plant for biodiesel catalyst
F O C U S company, of genetically engineered products that can generate enzymes that will break down cellulose is also noted. New Scientist – UK Edition, 21 Jun 2008, 198 (2661), 30-31
Enzymes to 2012 (Study # 2351) US demand for enzymes will grow 6%/y through 2012. Advances will be led by continued rapid expansion in the fuel ethanol segment of the starch processing enzyme market, as well as by strong growth in the large pharmaceutical and smaller biocatalyst and pulp and paper markets. Animal feed will also contribute to gains. This study analyzes the $91 bn US enzyme industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 1997, 2002, and 2007, and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by market (eg pharmaceuticals, starch processing, research and biotechnology, food and beverage processing, cleaning products, diagnostics, animal feed) and product (eg carohydrases, proteases, polymerases, nucleases, lipases). The study also considers market shares and profiles 39 industry competitors, including Novozymes, Danisco, and Allergan. Freedonia Group, 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143, USA. Tel: +1 440 684 9600. Fax: +1 440 646 0484
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle invests in a cleaner process The catalysts producer Albemarle is to reduce by 80% the wastes from its organometallics plant at Pasadena, TX. This is to be done by installing a new process, to come online in 1Q 2009. The main product is n-butyl ethyl magnesium, for use in making polyethylene and polypropylene resins. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 30 Jun 2008, (429), 10 (in French) & Press release from: Albemarle Corporation, Baton Rouge Tower, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402. Fax: +1 225 388 7686. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (25 Jun 2008)
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ALL Fuels & Energy to pursue development of second line of enzymes ALL Fuels & Energy announced that its subsidiary, AFSE Enzyme, has entered into negotiations to acquire the rights to a second line of related enzymes that have boosted ethanol production by nearly 10% in field tests. Following the first round of negotiations, AFSE Enzyme is optimistic that its efforts will be successful. With the enzyme cocktail AFSE Enzyme expects to increase the ethanol yield per bushel of corn processed. ALL Fuels & Energy Co is a development-stage ethanol company organized to operate as an ethanol producer, focusing primarily on the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products. Press release from: ALL Fuels & Energy Company, 6165 NW 86th Street, Johnston, Iowa 50131, USA. Tel: +1 515 331 6509. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.allfuelsandenergy.com (12 Jun 2008)
BASF sets plant for biodiesel catalyst BASF intends to establish a 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide plant in Guaratingueta, Brazil. The product functions as a catalyst in converting vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel. BASF predicts worldwide biodiesel demand will expand to around 18 bn ton/y in the near term. Chemical and Engineering News, 2 Jun 2008, 86 (22), 25 & Chemistry and Industry (London), 23 Jun 2008, (12), 15
BASF with new class of enzymes for production of chiral intermediates BASF has developed a new class of enzymes, enoate reductases, which can be used for the industrial production of chiral intermediates. The asymmetric bioreactions catalyzed by enoate reductases take place at low temperatures and standard pressure and, by being highly selective, yield particularly high-quality products. This allows a very efficient process for producing chemically sophisticated chiral molecules of outstanding optical purity. BASF currently operates three production facilities for ChiPros, the brand name by which the company’s chiral intermediates are traded, at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and
Geismar, US, with a combined capacity in excess of 4000 tonne/y. Press release from: BASF SE, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (12 Jun 2008)
Emitec produces 100 millionth metal catalyst substrate Emitec Inc will produce its 100 millionth metal catalyst substrate for the worldwide market in Jun 2008. This production milestone demonstrates Emitec’s commitment and expertise in exhaust aftertreatment and evaporative emissions technology. Emitec’s Metalit, a metallic substrate used in the catalytic converter components of exhaust emissions reduction systems, has been proven to show improvements in both performance and overall system cost when compared to the traditional ceramic catalytic converter-based systems. The turbulent flow conditions created by the specific foil geometry forming the catalytic cells reduces the size and cost of the exhaust gas purification system. This has been recognized by the gasoline engine manufacturers as well as the light duty, heavy duty, and on/off highway diesel and gasoline engine manufacturers worldwide who are successfully applying Emitec’s technologies. With North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI, Emitec produced about 20% of the 100 M metal catalyst substrates in its Fountain Inn, SC, plant over the past 10 years of its operation. Emitec GmbH is the leading designer and manufacturer of metallic substrates Metalit and Diesel PM-Metalit for exhaust gas after-treatment and evaporative emissions. Press release from: Emitec Inc, 3250 University Drive, Suite 100, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA. Tel: +1 248 276 6430. Fax: +1 248 276 6431. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.emitec.com (27 Jun 2008)
Evonik closes orthoesters unit in Germany The Evonik group is to close its orthoesters factory in Niederkassel, Germany during 3Q 2008 because of the increase in raw material prices, overcapacities, and fierce competition on the market, particularly in China. According to the group, production of synthetic intermediates for chemicals and pharmaceuticals in Europe is no
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Enzymes to 2012 (Study # 2351) US demand for enzymes will grow 6%/y through 2012. Advances will be led by continued rapid expansion in the fuel ethanol segment of the starch processing enzyme market, as well as by strong growth in the large pharmaceutical and smaller biocatalyst and pulp and paper markets. Animal feed will also contribute to gains. This study analyzes the $91 bn US enzyme industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 1997, 2002, and 2007, and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by market (eg pharmaceuticals, starch processing, research and biotechnology, food and beverage processing, cleaning products, diagnostics, animal feed) and product (eg carohydrases, proteases, polymerases, nucleases, lipases). The study also considers market shares and profiles 39 industry competitors, including Novozymes, Danisco, and Allergan. Freedonia Group, 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143, USA. Tel: +1 440 684 9600. Fax: +1 440 646 0484
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle invests in a cleaner process The catalysts producer Albemarle is to reduce by 80% the wastes from its organometallics plant at Pasadena, TX. This is to be done by installing a new process, to come online in 1Q 2009. The main product is n-butyl ethyl magnesium, for use in making polyethylene and polypropylene resins. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 30 Jun 2008, (429), 10 (in French) & Press release from: Albemarle Corporation, Baton Rouge Tower, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402. Fax: +1 225 388 7686. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (25 Jun 2008)
AUGUST 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
ALL Fuels & Energy to pursue development of second line of enzymes ALL Fuels & Energy announced that its subsidiary, AFSE Enzyme, has entered into negotiations to acquire the rights to a second line of related enzymes that have boosted ethanol production by nearly 10% in field tests. Following the first round of negotiations, AFSE Enzyme is optimistic that its efforts will be successful. With the enzyme cocktail AFSE Enzyme expects to increase the ethanol yield per bushel of corn processed. ALL Fuels & Energy Co is a development-stage ethanol company organized to operate as an ethanol producer, focusing primarily on the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products. Press release from: ALL Fuels & Energy Company, 6165 NW 86th Street, Johnston, Iowa 50131, USA. Tel: +1 515 331 6509. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.allfuelsandenergy.com (12 Jun 2008)
BASF sets plant for biodiesel catalyst BASF intends to establish a 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide plant in Guaratingueta, Brazil. The product functions as a catalyst in converting vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel. BASF predicts worldwide biodiesel demand will expand to around 18 bn ton/y in the near term. Chemical and Engineering News, 2 Jun 2008, 86 (22), 25 & Chemistry and Industry (London), 23 Jun 2008, (12), 15
BASF with new class of enzymes for production of chiral intermediates BASF has developed a new class of enzymes, enoate reductases, which can be used for the industrial production of chiral intermediates. The asymmetric bioreactions catalyzed by enoate reductases take place at low temperatures and standard pressure and, by being highly selective, yield particularly high-quality products. This allows a very efficient process for producing chemically sophisticated chiral molecules of outstanding optical purity. BASF currently operates three production facilities for ChiPros, the brand name by which the company’s chiral intermediates are traded, at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and
Geismar, US, with a combined capacity in excess of 4000 tonne/y. Press release from: BASF SE, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (12 Jun 2008)
Emitec produces 100 millionth metal catalyst substrate Emitec Inc will produce its 100 millionth metal catalyst substrate for the worldwide market in Jun 2008. This production milestone demonstrates Emitec’s commitment and expertise in exhaust aftertreatment and evaporative emissions technology. Emitec’s Metalit, a metallic substrate used in the catalytic converter components of exhaust emissions reduction systems, has been proven to show improvements in both performance and overall system cost when compared to the traditional ceramic catalytic converter-based systems. The turbulent flow conditions created by the specific foil geometry forming the catalytic cells reduces the size and cost of the exhaust gas purification system. This has been recognized by the gasoline engine manufacturers as well as the light duty, heavy duty, and on/off highway diesel and gasoline engine manufacturers worldwide who are successfully applying Emitec’s technologies. With North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI, Emitec produced about 20% of the 100 M metal catalyst substrates in its Fountain Inn, SC, plant over the past 10 years of its operation. Emitec GmbH is the leading designer and manufacturer of metallic substrates Metalit and Diesel PM-Metalit for exhaust gas after-treatment and evaporative emissions. Press release from: Emitec Inc, 3250 University Drive, Suite 100, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA. Tel: +1 248 276 6430. Fax: +1 248 276 6431. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.emitec.com (27 Jun 2008)
Evonik closes orthoesters unit in Germany The Evonik group is to close its orthoesters factory in Niederkassel, Germany during 3Q 2008 because of the increase in raw material prices, overcapacities, and fierce competition on the market, particularly in China. According to the group, production of synthetic intermediates for chemicals and pharmaceuticals in Europe is no
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