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BioDiesel develops new biodiesel production process
FOCUS Bridge & Iron Co (CB&I) to change a natural gas plant to a gasificationbased fertilizer and ultra-clean synthetic fuels unit. CB&I will install equipment using Rentech’s patented advanced derivative of the FischerTropsch process in the initial stages. The Rentech Energy Midwest Corp (REMC) plant is expected to yield at least 1250 bbl/day or 17.8 M gallon/y of ultra clean Fischer-Tropsch fuels. The plant is also predicted to churn out roughly 545,000 ton/y of ammonia and other nitrogen fertilizers. The project is expected to be completed in 2010. Chemical Engineering Progress, Aug 2007, 103 (8), 14-15
Nikki to boost output of hydrogenation catalysts Nikki Chemical plans to raise the capacity for hydrogenation catalysts, particularly its series of stabilized nickel catalysts, by 50% to 900 tonne/y. The company intends to commence construction of new plants in 2H 2008. Nickel and copper-based hydrogenation catalysts are the company’s major products and development has focused on the areas of petrochemicals and fine chemicals. Nikki Chemical had strengthened its global business to gain a share of around 40% of its overall sales. Sales have been robust and total sales have escalated 2.5 times from those in 2002. Under the revised plan, the company targets sales of Yen 8 bn ($66.7 M) in fiscal 2008 ending 31 Mar 2009 and Yen 10 bn in fiscal 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Sep 2007, 48 (2431), 2
Novozymes seeks new production site in US Novozymes has great expectations for market growth in the US and is looking for a new construction site in the Mid-West. The acquisition of more land in America will help the company to meet future market demand quickly. Novozymes is planning to establish facilities to supply chain-service activities in the area of biofuels and at the same time is considering the possibility of a new plant for the production of enzymes. In the near future the Danish firm will initiate negotiations with five US states, Iowa,
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Nebraska, S Dakota, Minnesota, and Illinois, over a possible plant location. Dagbladet Borsen, 27 Sep 2007 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
NEW TECHNOLOGY New HDS catalyst uses titania Chiyoda Corp has awarded Axens its proprietary titania-supported catalyst for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of gas oil. Axens intends to commence commercial production of the new catalyst in 1Q 2008. The catalyst is derived from titania support that provides higher HDS activity per unit area compared with traditional alumina-supported catalysts. Chiyoda’s multi-gelation process allows the formulation of titaniasupported catalysts with surface areas of more than 160 sq m/g and with a narrow pore-size distribution. Chemical Engineering (New York), 31 Aug 2007, 114 (8), 14
Breakthrough, low-risk alkylation catalyst Albemarle Corp has teamed up with ABB Lummus Global and Neste Oil in the development of a new and improved solid acid catalyst, AlkyStar. Claimed as a low-risk method, the technology can significantly improve the safety of existing refinery processes and minimize hazards during transport and handling of liquid acids utilized in alkylate production. The catalyst, which is used exclusively with the AlkyClean alkylation process, imparts 25% higher activity and 35% lower precious metals content. Hydrocarbon Processing, Sep 2007, 86 (9), 32,35
from 2008. Mazda’s announcement caused the prices of platinum and palladium to fall slightly. Financial Times, 2 Oct 2007
Chemspec Europe 2007: Johnson Matthey/X-Zyme Johnson Matthey’s Catalysts division won a global licence from German biotechnology firm X-Zyme covering the application and marketing of carbonyl reductase enzyme technology in the manufacture of chiral alcohols, for use in the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals markets. A new oxidoreductase that acts as a catalyst to reduce various carbonyl compounds was developed by X-Zyme. The material particularly reduces keto esters to their matching chiral hydroxy esters. Conversion of aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic ketones, cyclic ketones and diketones, and ketoacetals is also possible, all of which with superior enantiomeric purity. The products will soon be made available via the Alfa Aesar catalogue. Johnson Matthey announced these developments at the recent Chemspec Europe 2007 in Amsterdam. Speciality Chemicals, Jul/Aug 2007, 27 (6), 45
BioDiesel develops new biodiesel production process BioDiesel International has unveiled a biodiesel manufacturing process that is said to yield higher quality at reduced cost for multi-feed operations and to boost the quality of by-product glycerol. With the RepCat reusable catalyst, the new technology utilizes animal fats or used cooking oils and skips the process of blending with clean vegetable oils while retaining the free fatty acid content. Oils and Fats International, Sep 2007, 23 (6), 9
Mazda can cut PGM usage in cars Mazda has announced that it has developed an auto catalyst which uses up to 90% less platinum and palladium than present commercial catalysts. But it has not yet decided when to use it in new models. Nissan made a similar announcement in Jul 2007 and plans to use its catalysts
Eco-friendly adipic acid process advances to pilot plant A 30 tonne/y pilot plant, to produce adipic acid by a new, eco-friendly process, has been constructed by Daicel Chemical Industry. The new, one-step process converts cyclohexane to adipic acid, using
NOVEMBER 2007
Nikki to boost output of hydrogenation catalysts Nikki Chemical plans to raise the capacity for hydrogenation catalysts, particularly its series of stabilized nickel catalysts, by 50% to 900 tonne/y. The company intends to commence construction of new plants in 2H 2008. Nickel and copper-based hydrogenation catalysts are the company’s major products and development has focused on the areas of petrochemicals and fine chemicals. Nikki Chemical had strengthened its global business to gain a share of around 40% of its overall sales. Sales have been robust and total sales have escalated 2.5 times from those in 2002. Under the revised plan, the company targets sales of Yen 8 bn ($66.7 M) in fiscal 2008 ending 31 Mar 2009 and Yen 10 bn in fiscal 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Sep 2007, 48 (2431), 2
Novozymes seeks new production site in US Novozymes has great expectations for market growth in the US and is looking for a new construction site in the Mid-West. The acquisition of more land in America will help the company to meet future market demand quickly. Novozymes is planning to establish facilities to supply chain-service activities in the area of biofuels and at the same time is considering the possibility of a new plant for the production of enzymes. In the near future the Danish firm will initiate negotiations with five US states, Iowa,
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ON
C ATA LY S T S
Nebraska, S Dakota, Minnesota, and Illinois, over a possible plant location. Dagbladet Borsen, 27 Sep 2007 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
NEW TECHNOLOGY New HDS catalyst uses titania Chiyoda Corp has awarded Axens its proprietary titania-supported catalyst for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of gas oil. Axens intends to commence commercial production of the new catalyst in 1Q 2008. The catalyst is derived from titania support that provides higher HDS activity per unit area compared with traditional alumina-supported catalysts. Chiyoda’s multi-gelation process allows the formulation of titaniasupported catalysts with surface areas of more than 160 sq m/g and with a narrow pore-size distribution. Chemical Engineering (New York), 31 Aug 2007, 114 (8), 14
Breakthrough, low-risk alkylation catalyst Albemarle Corp has teamed up with ABB Lummus Global and Neste Oil in the development of a new and improved solid acid catalyst, AlkyStar. Claimed as a low-risk method, the technology can significantly improve the safety of existing refinery processes and minimize hazards during transport and handling of liquid acids utilized in alkylate production. The catalyst, which is used exclusively with the AlkyClean alkylation process, imparts 25% higher activity and 35% lower precious metals content. Hydrocarbon Processing, Sep 2007, 86 (9), 32,35
from 2008. Mazda’s announcement caused the prices of platinum and palladium to fall slightly. Financial Times, 2 Oct 2007
Chemspec Europe 2007: Johnson Matthey/X-Zyme Johnson Matthey’s Catalysts division won a global licence from German biotechnology firm X-Zyme covering the application and marketing of carbonyl reductase enzyme technology in the manufacture of chiral alcohols, for use in the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals markets. A new oxidoreductase that acts as a catalyst to reduce various carbonyl compounds was developed by X-Zyme. The material particularly reduces keto esters to their matching chiral hydroxy esters. Conversion of aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic ketones, cyclic ketones and diketones, and ketoacetals is also possible, all of which with superior enantiomeric purity. The products will soon be made available via the Alfa Aesar catalogue. Johnson Matthey announced these developments at the recent Chemspec Europe 2007 in Amsterdam. Speciality Chemicals, Jul/Aug 2007, 27 (6), 45
BioDiesel develops new biodiesel production process BioDiesel International has unveiled a biodiesel manufacturing process that is said to yield higher quality at reduced cost for multi-feed operations and to boost the quality of by-product glycerol. With the RepCat reusable catalyst, the new technology utilizes animal fats or used cooking oils and skips the process of blending with clean vegetable oils while retaining the free fatty acid content. Oils and Fats International, Sep 2007, 23 (6), 9
Mazda can cut PGM usage in cars Mazda has announced that it has developed an auto catalyst which uses up to 90% less platinum and palladium than present commercial catalysts. But it has not yet decided when to use it in new models. Nissan made a similar announcement in Jul 2007 and plans to use its catalysts
Eco-friendly adipic acid process advances to pilot plant A 30 tonne/y pilot plant, to produce adipic acid by a new, eco-friendly process, has been constructed by Daicel Chemical Industry. The new, one-step process converts cyclohexane to adipic acid, using
NOVEMBER 2007