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Catalytica
FOCUS and antibacterial tiles is estimated at around Yen 40 bn/y. Four photocatalyst standards are to be established by METI covering selfcleaning, air cleaning, water clarification, and antibacterial and antifungal photocatalysts. Japan Chemical Week, 12 Feb 2004, 45 (2257), 2
Chemical firms in fuel firsts Both Dow Chemical and Novozymes advanced fuel cell- and ethanol-based alternative energy projects last week, both projects having the backing of the Department of Energy. A switch was flipped in Freeport, TX, on a General Motors fuel cell – the first used to generate electricity at Dow Chemical’s chemical complex at the location. The cell generates 75 kW of electricity, enough for about 60 homes. Following 4-6 months of testing, GM and Dow will install 12 more modules, generating 1 MW. Some 400 units are planned by 2006, producing 35 MW and supplying about 2% of the site’s power needs. For Dow, the fuel cells are a test of a technology whereby it can use byproduct hydrogen more efficiently than burning or selling it to industrial gas companies. Elsewhere, Novozymes has achieved a 12-fold reduction in the cost of making cellulase, an enzyme needed to convert the cellulose in biomass into glucose for fermentation to fuel ethanol (see p 6). Chemical and Engineering News, 16 Feb 2004, 82 (7), 12
COMPANY NEWS Akzo Nobel 4Q and full year 2003 results In a very difficult business environment, Akzo Nobel’s Chemicals turned in a robust performance in 2003 thanks to cost-cutting. Sales were down 4% to €4.4 bn and operating income declined 6% to €324 M. The currencies’ impact on sales was 7%. Base Chemicals and Catalysts posted strong performances which Pulp and Paper Chemicals reaped the benefits of cost savings.
APRIL 2004
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Restructuring in Polymer Chemicals and Surface Chemistry was intensified. It continued to invest in profitable and leadership positions in The Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, and Brazil. In Sep 2003, Akzo Nobel announced its intention to sell the Catalysts, Phosphorus Chemicals and Coating Resins businesses in order to create financial room to manoeuvre for the company. Akzo Nobel 4Q and full year results 2003, 3 Feb 2004, 2 (Akzo Nobel nv, Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 366 43 43. Fax: +31 26 366 49 40. Website: http://www.akzonobel.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Feb 2004, (244), 3 (in French)
Avecia: continuing focus on early phase Avecia Pharmaceuticals is launching its Pd EnCat encapsulated palladium catalyst technology in N America at the Informex 04 meeting. The process offers reduced metal contamination, lower solvent usage, catalyst recovery, and recycling at scale. Avecia continues to focus on early phase pharmaceutical development. It has invested $2 M in a new high potency substance kilogram quantity facility at Grangemouth, Scotland. This will produce anticancer drugs for clinical trials. Avecia has five pilot plants and 12 kilo suites which produce specifically for early phase development. Its Canadian operation Torcan Chemical has recently opened a non-GMP laboratory. PharmaChem, Nov/Dec 2003, 2 (11/12), 41-42
Catalytica: 4Q and FY2003: New developments On 5 Feb 2004, Catalytica Energy Systems announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SCR-Tech LLC, a privatelyheld company based in Charlotte, NC. SCR-Tech is the North American leader in catalyst regeneration technologies and management services for selective catalytic reduction systems, which are used by major utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and large industrial operators of coal-fired plants and other power generating equipment to reduce NOx emissions. Catalytica Energy Systems is also reporting an update on the status of its joint development program with GE Power Systems relating to the application of
Xonon Cool Combustion to the 10 MW GE10 gas turbine. Following its recent completion of initial engine testing with GE and a thorough review of the data, the companies have agreed that certain modifications of the catalyst and other combustion system hardware will be required to achieve optimal performance within a commercial GE10 gas turbine environment. Accordingly, Catalytica is working to identify the specific modifications that will be required to deliver a system that meets GE’s commercial specifications. Catalytica 4Q and FY 2003, 5 Feb 2004, 1-2 (Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, 430 Ferguson Drive, Bldg 3, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Tel: +1 650 960 3000. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com)
Codexis plans R&D doubling Codexis is doubling the size of its bioprocess unit in Redwood City, CA, by erecting a new scale-up and product launch centre. The company is a supplier of biocatalysts and fermentation processes and says the multimillion-dollar investment will add 6,000 sq ft of process development laboratories, including a 650-litre fermentation unit. Completion is due in 3Q 2004. Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Feb 2004, 82 (6), 12-13 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Engelhard 4Q 2003 operating results Operating earnings from Engelhard Corp’s Environmental Technologies were up 51% to $32 M in 4Q 2003. Sales rose 10% to $206 M on increased revenue from automotive and diesel markets. The increase in sales primarily results from favourable exchange rates and higher passthrough costs of substrates. Operating earnings from Process Technologies increased 5% to $33 M. Sales rose 4% to $167 M. Demand remained strong for new catalyst and additive technologies for petroleum refining as well as polyolefin catalysts. Engelhard 4Q Results 2003, 3 Feb 2004, 1-2 (Engelhard Corp, Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Website: http://www.engelhard.com)
Grace 4Q and FY2003: Consolidated statement of operations FY2003 For its fiscal 2003 (ends 31 Dec 2003), WR Grace & Co has reported
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Chemical firms in fuel firsts Both Dow Chemical and Novozymes advanced fuel cell- and ethanol-based alternative energy projects last week, both projects having the backing of the Department of Energy. A switch was flipped in Freeport, TX, on a General Motors fuel cell – the first used to generate electricity at Dow Chemical’s chemical complex at the location. The cell generates 75 kW of electricity, enough for about 60 homes. Following 4-6 months of testing, GM and Dow will install 12 more modules, generating 1 MW. Some 400 units are planned by 2006, producing 35 MW and supplying about 2% of the site’s power needs. For Dow, the fuel cells are a test of a technology whereby it can use byproduct hydrogen more efficiently than burning or selling it to industrial gas companies. Elsewhere, Novozymes has achieved a 12-fold reduction in the cost of making cellulase, an enzyme needed to convert the cellulose in biomass into glucose for fermentation to fuel ethanol (see p 6). Chemical and Engineering News, 16 Feb 2004, 82 (7), 12
COMPANY NEWS Akzo Nobel 4Q and full year 2003 results In a very difficult business environment, Akzo Nobel’s Chemicals turned in a robust performance in 2003 thanks to cost-cutting. Sales were down 4% to €4.4 bn and operating income declined 6% to €324 M. The currencies’ impact on sales was 7%. Base Chemicals and Catalysts posted strong performances which Pulp and Paper Chemicals reaped the benefits of cost savings.
APRIL 2004
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Restructuring in Polymer Chemicals and Surface Chemistry was intensified. It continued to invest in profitable and leadership positions in The Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, and Brazil. In Sep 2003, Akzo Nobel announced its intention to sell the Catalysts, Phosphorus Chemicals and Coating Resins businesses in order to create financial room to manoeuvre for the company. Akzo Nobel 4Q and full year results 2003, 3 Feb 2004, 2 (Akzo Nobel nv, Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 366 43 43. Fax: +31 26 366 49 40. Website: http://www.akzonobel.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Feb 2004, (244), 3 (in French)
Avecia: continuing focus on early phase Avecia Pharmaceuticals is launching its Pd EnCat encapsulated palladium catalyst technology in N America at the Informex 04 meeting. The process offers reduced metal contamination, lower solvent usage, catalyst recovery, and recycling at scale. Avecia continues to focus on early phase pharmaceutical development. It has invested $2 M in a new high potency substance kilogram quantity facility at Grangemouth, Scotland. This will produce anticancer drugs for clinical trials. Avecia has five pilot plants and 12 kilo suites which produce specifically for early phase development. Its Canadian operation Torcan Chemical has recently opened a non-GMP laboratory. PharmaChem, Nov/Dec 2003, 2 (11/12), 41-42
Catalytica: 4Q and FY2003: New developments On 5 Feb 2004, Catalytica Energy Systems announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SCR-Tech LLC, a privatelyheld company based in Charlotte, NC. SCR-Tech is the North American leader in catalyst regeneration technologies and management services for selective catalytic reduction systems, which are used by major utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and large industrial operators of coal-fired plants and other power generating equipment to reduce NOx emissions. Catalytica Energy Systems is also reporting an update on the status of its joint development program with GE Power Systems relating to the application of
Xonon Cool Combustion to the 10 MW GE10 gas turbine. Following its recent completion of initial engine testing with GE and a thorough review of the data, the companies have agreed that certain modifications of the catalyst and other combustion system hardware will be required to achieve optimal performance within a commercial GE10 gas turbine environment. Accordingly, Catalytica is working to identify the specific modifications that will be required to deliver a system that meets GE’s commercial specifications. Catalytica 4Q and FY 2003, 5 Feb 2004, 1-2 (Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, 430 Ferguson Drive, Bldg 3, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Tel: +1 650 960 3000. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com)
Codexis plans R&D doubling Codexis is doubling the size of its bioprocess unit in Redwood City, CA, by erecting a new scale-up and product launch centre. The company is a supplier of biocatalysts and fermentation processes and says the multimillion-dollar investment will add 6,000 sq ft of process development laboratories, including a 650-litre fermentation unit. Completion is due in 3Q 2004. Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Feb 2004, 82 (6), 12-13 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Engelhard 4Q 2003 operating results Operating earnings from Engelhard Corp’s Environmental Technologies were up 51% to $32 M in 4Q 2003. Sales rose 10% to $206 M on increased revenue from automotive and diesel markets. The increase in sales primarily results from favourable exchange rates and higher passthrough costs of substrates. Operating earnings from Process Technologies increased 5% to $33 M. Sales rose 4% to $167 M. Demand remained strong for new catalyst and additive technologies for petroleum refining as well as polyolefin catalysts. Engelhard 4Q Results 2003, 3 Feb 2004, 1-2 (Engelhard Corp, Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Website: http://www.engelhard.com)
Grace 4Q and FY2003: Consolidated statement of operations FY2003 For its fiscal 2003 (ends 31 Dec 2003), WR Grace & Co has reported
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