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Codexis and Dyadic in enzyme dispute
F O C U S finished by 2015. The companies noted that the team-up will develop new Ziegler-Natta catalysts for use by Lummus licensees as well as other polypropylene producers. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 26 Aug 2013, 91 (34), 16 (Website: http://www.cenonline.org) © American Chemical Society 2013
Codexis and Dyadic in enzyme dispute Dyadic International has informed Codexis of its violation of the terms of its license for Dyadic’s C1 fungal expression technology. Dyadic has sent a warning to Codexis that it will terminate the agreement if Codexis does not comply. However, Codexis claimed that it did not violate any provisions of the agreement. Codexis is using the technology to produce its CodeXyme cellulose enzymes for biofuel production. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 12 Aug 2013, 91 (32), 16 (Website: http://www.cenonline.org) © American Chemical Society 2013
Royal DSM signs MOU with Rostekhnologii A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between Dutch company Royal DSM and Russia-based Rostekhnologii (Rostec) which will allow the companies to explore a potential cooperation in converting cellulosic biomass from forestry and agriculture to fermentable sugars. The companies are seeking to produce biofuels and/or bio-based products from sugars derived from cellulosic biomass. Original Source: Oils and Fats International, Jul 2013, 29 (6), 8 (Website: http://www.oilsandfatsinternational.com) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2013
Duonix retrofitting Beatrice plant Benefuel Inc has entered into a jv with Flint Hills Resources Renewables (FHR) LLC under the name Duonix LLC. The agreement covers the development of biodiesel refineries in the US through Ensel refining technology. Patented by Benefuel, the technology uses a solid catalyst reactor to combine esterification and transesterification. Meanwhile, Itochu Corp has invested in Duonix’s ongoing first project: the installation of 50 M gal/y facility in Beatrice, NE. FHR will continue to operate its NOVEMBER 2013
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acquired Beatrice plant. Also, Benefuel and Itochu plan to develop international opportunities primarily in Asia. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jul-Aug 2013, 10 (4), 10 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2013
FirmTec to shift novel unit to Waterland Indonesian firm Waterland plans to transform camelina oil to biodiesel through FirmTec’s enzymatic biodiesel plant. This plant, which uses ethanol in place of methanol, is scheduled for delivery in Bali. Operation of the plant will start in mid-Sep 2013. The Indonesian government will assist in the project development and implementation of the biodiesel type. Meanwhile, Waterland will soon be producing all the raw materials necessary for the new green biodiesel, including ethanol. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jul-Aug 2013, 10 (4), 12 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2013
Gevo begins demonstration production of bio-p-xylene Gevo has opened a demonstrationscale biosourced paraxylene production unit next to its kerosene production site in Silsbee, TX. The size of neither the investment or the unit’s capacity have been revealed. The new unit will give Gevo a biorefinery capable of serving the renewable chemical products and biofuels market. The company is working with Toray Industries and Coca-Cola on the development of biosourced paraxylene. Toray provided financial support for construction work on the factory. The partners are working together on creating renewable paraxylene. They have signed an agreement whereby Toray will buy Gevo’s paraxylene in order to evaluate the potential of scaling up the operation and developing renewable polyethylene terephthalate. Gevo is working with Coca-Cola on making a completely renewable polyethylene terephthalate for its drinks bottles. Coca-Cola has provided R&D aid for the new unit via one of its subsidiaries. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 2 Sep 2013, (644), (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French) © ETAI Information 2013
Haldor Topsoe maintains solid performance in 1H 2013 On 15 Aug 2013, Haldor Topsoe reported its 1H 2013 financial results. In 1H 2013, Haldor Topsoe maintained a solid performance level achieving profitability and growth rates in line with the company’s overall ambitions. The ongoing expansion and modernization of the chemical, refining, power, and automotive industries continue to drive demand for Topsoe’s catalysts and related process technologies across the globe. Group revenue amounted to DKR 2842 M, an increase of 14% compared to same period last 2012. EBIT was DKR 403 M compared to DKR 315 M in 1H 2012. Net profit was DKR 311 M compared to DKR 228 M in 1H 2012. Cash flow from operations was DKR 516 M compared to DKR 347 M in 1H 2012. Capital expenditure increased to DKR 298 M compared to DKR 124 M in 1H 2012 reflecting the investments being made to establish additional production lines in Frederikssund, Denmark and Houston, Texas, Topsoe’s two primary production sites. Original Source: Haldor Topsoe, website: http://www.topsoe.com/ (15 Aug 2013) © HaldorTopsoe A/S 2013
INEOS jv begins first production of cellulosic biofuel INEOS New Planet BioEnergy, a jv between INEOS Bio and New Planet Energy, has announced that the first commercial production of its bioethanol facility in Vero Beach, FL, has begun. The facility has production capacity of 8 M gal/y of biofuel and 6 MW/y of power. The plant utilizes gasification and fermentation technology to produce bioethanol. The initiative helps divert waste materials from communities by converting them into affordable and renewable fuel and power. Other companies are also producing commercial quantities of cellulosicbased biofuel. In Jul 2011, Abengoa Bioenergy began construction of a plant near Hugoston, KS, for the production of 25 M gal/y of cellulosic ethanol and 20 MW of renewable power. The plant is scheduled for start-up in Jan 2014. POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, a joint venture
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Codexis and Dyadic in enzyme dispute Dyadic International has informed Codexis of its violation of the terms of its license for Dyadic’s C1 fungal expression technology. Dyadic has sent a warning to Codexis that it will terminate the agreement if Codexis does not comply. However, Codexis claimed that it did not violate any provisions of the agreement. Codexis is using the technology to produce its CodeXyme cellulose enzymes for biofuel production. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 12 Aug 2013, 91 (32), 16 (Website: http://www.cenonline.org) © American Chemical Society 2013
Royal DSM signs MOU with Rostekhnologii A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between Dutch company Royal DSM and Russia-based Rostekhnologii (Rostec) which will allow the companies to explore a potential cooperation in converting cellulosic biomass from forestry and agriculture to fermentable sugars. The companies are seeking to produce biofuels and/or bio-based products from sugars derived from cellulosic biomass. Original Source: Oils and Fats International, Jul 2013, 29 (6), 8 (Website: http://www.oilsandfatsinternational.com) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2013
Duonix retrofitting Beatrice plant Benefuel Inc has entered into a jv with Flint Hills Resources Renewables (FHR) LLC under the name Duonix LLC. The agreement covers the development of biodiesel refineries in the US through Ensel refining technology. Patented by Benefuel, the technology uses a solid catalyst reactor to combine esterification and transesterification. Meanwhile, Itochu Corp has invested in Duonix’s ongoing first project: the installation of 50 M gal/y facility in Beatrice, NE. FHR will continue to operate its NOVEMBER 2013
O N
C ATA LY S T S
acquired Beatrice plant. Also, Benefuel and Itochu plan to develop international opportunities primarily in Asia. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jul-Aug 2013, 10 (4), 10 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2013
FirmTec to shift novel unit to Waterland Indonesian firm Waterland plans to transform camelina oil to biodiesel through FirmTec’s enzymatic biodiesel plant. This plant, which uses ethanol in place of methanol, is scheduled for delivery in Bali. Operation of the plant will start in mid-Sep 2013. The Indonesian government will assist in the project development and implementation of the biodiesel type. Meanwhile, Waterland will soon be producing all the raw materials necessary for the new green biodiesel, including ethanol. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jul-Aug 2013, 10 (4), 12 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2013
Gevo begins demonstration production of bio-p-xylene Gevo has opened a demonstrationscale biosourced paraxylene production unit next to its kerosene production site in Silsbee, TX. The size of neither the investment or the unit’s capacity have been revealed. The new unit will give Gevo a biorefinery capable of serving the renewable chemical products and biofuels market. The company is working with Toray Industries and Coca-Cola on the development of biosourced paraxylene. Toray provided financial support for construction work on the factory. The partners are working together on creating renewable paraxylene. They have signed an agreement whereby Toray will buy Gevo’s paraxylene in order to evaluate the potential of scaling up the operation and developing renewable polyethylene terephthalate. Gevo is working with Coca-Cola on making a completely renewable polyethylene terephthalate for its drinks bottles. Coca-Cola has provided R&D aid for the new unit via one of its subsidiaries. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 2 Sep 2013, (644), (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French) © ETAI Information 2013
Haldor Topsoe maintains solid performance in 1H 2013 On 15 Aug 2013, Haldor Topsoe reported its 1H 2013 financial results. In 1H 2013, Haldor Topsoe maintained a solid performance level achieving profitability and growth rates in line with the company’s overall ambitions. The ongoing expansion and modernization of the chemical, refining, power, and automotive industries continue to drive demand for Topsoe’s catalysts and related process technologies across the globe. Group revenue amounted to DKR 2842 M, an increase of 14% compared to same period last 2012. EBIT was DKR 403 M compared to DKR 315 M in 1H 2012. Net profit was DKR 311 M compared to DKR 228 M in 1H 2012. Cash flow from operations was DKR 516 M compared to DKR 347 M in 1H 2012. Capital expenditure increased to DKR 298 M compared to DKR 124 M in 1H 2012 reflecting the investments being made to establish additional production lines in Frederikssund, Denmark and Houston, Texas, Topsoe’s two primary production sites. Original Source: Haldor Topsoe, website: http://www.topsoe.com/ (15 Aug 2013) © HaldorTopsoe A/S 2013
INEOS jv begins first production of cellulosic biofuel INEOS New Planet BioEnergy, a jv between INEOS Bio and New Planet Energy, has announced that the first commercial production of its bioethanol facility in Vero Beach, FL, has begun. The facility has production capacity of 8 M gal/y of biofuel and 6 MW/y of power. The plant utilizes gasification and fermentation technology to produce bioethanol. The initiative helps divert waste materials from communities by converting them into affordable and renewable fuel and power. Other companies are also producing commercial quantities of cellulosicbased biofuel. In Jul 2011, Abengoa Bioenergy began construction of a plant near Hugoston, KS, for the production of 25 M gal/y of cellulosic ethanol and 20 MW of renewable power. The plant is scheduled for start-up in Jan 2014. POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, a joint venture
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