- Email: [email protected]
Codexis and Dyadic sign enzymes pact
F O C U S system. We have some ideas on how to solve that. Guest Editorial by Professors Magali Boutonnet and Sven Järås, Chemical Technology, KTH, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. Email: [email protected] and [email protected] 1. M Boutonnet et al, Recent developments in the application of nanoparticles prepared from w/o microemulsions in heterogeneous catalysis. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, Aug 2008, 13, (4), 270-286 2. M Boutonnet et al, Preparation of catalysts from microemulsions and their applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Applied Catalysis A-Gen, Jul 2004, 265, (2), 207-219
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the biggest producer of methanol worldwide, owing to new coal-to-liquid methods. The country is now focusing on coal-to-liquid processes in recognition of the scarcity of natural gas reserves. Süd-Chemie is trying to keep up with the dynamic market with fresh introductions. Haldor Topsoe is focusing on coming up with new catalysts and improvements on its existing products. Johnson Matthey is also offering new products.
catalyst components, has developed a new single-site catalyst program called ActivCat that doubles the typical productivity of conventional products. ActivCat can be used for both polyethylene and polypropylene resin production and standard MAO/silica type catalysts production. ActivCat does not alter the properties of MAO/silica catalysts during production. Chemical Engineering World, Nov 2008, 43 (11), 20
Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2008, (296), 38-40,42,44-47
Avantium and Cosun to collaborate on bioplastics
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Global catalyst demand to rise The Freedonia Group predicts worldwide demand for catalysts will rise by almost 6%/y to $16.3 bn by 2012. Volumes are projected to increase by 2%/y to 5.3 M tonne/y. Demand for catalysts from the chemical sector will be slowest. The fastest will be catalysts for the polymer sector. Meanwhile, DSM Elastomers will begin sending samples of its ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, which contains high levels of 2-vinyl-5norbornene(VNB), in 2009. The product is produced at one of the company’s EPDM rubber plants in Geleen, The Netherlands. A pie chart shows projected world catalyst demand in 2012, by type. Chemical Week, 8 Dec 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Hydrocarbon Processing, Dec 2008, 87 (12), 25
Catalyst suppliers meet new challenges Catalysts suppliers are faced with the task of addressing how to enhance production of both methanol and ammonia amid the brisk growth of the methanol industry. Taking into account both demand and production, the Americas and the Middle East are the two most critical markets for methanol. In these areas, methanol is used as a raw material to produce formaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. These days, methanol can be used for mass-manufacture of propylene and dimethyl ether (DME). China appears to be developing into
2
Platinum pummelled by automotive crisis The platinum industry is directly affected by the crisis bearing down on the global automotive sector, according to sector specialists. Platinum, which finds application in catalytic converters for cars, abounds only in Colombia, South Africa, and Russia. Colombia will continue producing the metal despite the latest drop in platinum prices. Refining costs have increased significantly for platinum miners since demand is weak. In Mar 2008, platinum was traded at about $2290/ounce, down to $806.5/ounce in the first week of Dec 2008. BNAmericas Metals News, 2 Dec 2008 (Business News Americas Ltda. Website: http://www.bnamericas.com)
Biofuels 2008 and the impact on chemicals A very comprehensive report containing much information, technical and commercial, on many catalytic processes. $9900. A ‘Safe and Sustainable Chemicals Report’ from SRI Consulting, 4300 Bohannon Drive, Suite 2000, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA. Tel: +1 650 330 1149. Website: http://www.sriconsulting.com (Dec 2008)
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle launches new ActivCat technology Albemarle Corp, a leading producer of single site catalyst and metallocene
Avantium and Royal Cosun are to collaborate in developing a process for making a new generation of bioplastics and biofuels from organic waste. Avantium is already working on these materials under the name ‘Furanics’. Press releases from: Avantium, website: http://www.avantium.com and Cosun, website: http:www.cosun.com (21 Jan 2009)
Codexis and Dyadic sign enzymes pact US biocatalyst technology company Codexis has licensed the Chrysosporium lucknowense fungus, or C1, expression system of Dyadic International, which it will use for production of enzymes on a largescale. The enzymes will be used in the manufacture of biofuels, and chemical and pharmaceutical intermediates. A $10 M up-front payment will be made by Codexis as long as specific performance criteria are met. Chemical and Engineering News, 24 Nov 2008, 86 (47), 19
Danisco and Genencor results 2Q 2008-2009 In 2Q of fiscal 2008-2009 Danisco reported sales of DKR 3.3 bn, DKR 100,000 more than in 2Q 2007-2008, and operating results of DKR 317 M, up DKR 36 M. For the US enzymes daughter company Genencor, operating profit was down from DKR 150 M in 2Q 2007-2008 to less than DKR 100 M in 2Q 2008-2009; sales were up from DKR 920 M to DKR 1056 M. Dagbladet Borsen, 16 Dec 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
FEBRUARY 2009
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the biggest producer of methanol worldwide, owing to new coal-to-liquid methods. The country is now focusing on coal-to-liquid processes in recognition of the scarcity of natural gas reserves. Süd-Chemie is trying to keep up with the dynamic market with fresh introductions. Haldor Topsoe is focusing on coming up with new catalysts and improvements on its existing products. Johnson Matthey is also offering new products.
catalyst components, has developed a new single-site catalyst program called ActivCat that doubles the typical productivity of conventional products. ActivCat can be used for both polyethylene and polypropylene resin production and standard MAO/silica type catalysts production. ActivCat does not alter the properties of MAO/silica catalysts during production. Chemical Engineering World, Nov 2008, 43 (11), 20
Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2008, (296), 38-40,42,44-47
Avantium and Cosun to collaborate on bioplastics
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Global catalyst demand to rise The Freedonia Group predicts worldwide demand for catalysts will rise by almost 6%/y to $16.3 bn by 2012. Volumes are projected to increase by 2%/y to 5.3 M tonne/y. Demand for catalysts from the chemical sector will be slowest. The fastest will be catalysts for the polymer sector. Meanwhile, DSM Elastomers will begin sending samples of its ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, which contains high levels of 2-vinyl-5norbornene(VNB), in 2009. The product is produced at one of the company’s EPDM rubber plants in Geleen, The Netherlands. A pie chart shows projected world catalyst demand in 2012, by type. Chemical Week, 8 Dec 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Hydrocarbon Processing, Dec 2008, 87 (12), 25
Catalyst suppliers meet new challenges Catalysts suppliers are faced with the task of addressing how to enhance production of both methanol and ammonia amid the brisk growth of the methanol industry. Taking into account both demand and production, the Americas and the Middle East are the two most critical markets for methanol. In these areas, methanol is used as a raw material to produce formaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. These days, methanol can be used for mass-manufacture of propylene and dimethyl ether (DME). China appears to be developing into
2
Platinum pummelled by automotive crisis The platinum industry is directly affected by the crisis bearing down on the global automotive sector, according to sector specialists. Platinum, which finds application in catalytic converters for cars, abounds only in Colombia, South Africa, and Russia. Colombia will continue producing the metal despite the latest drop in platinum prices. Refining costs have increased significantly for platinum miners since demand is weak. In Mar 2008, platinum was traded at about $2290/ounce, down to $806.5/ounce in the first week of Dec 2008. BNAmericas Metals News, 2 Dec 2008 (Business News Americas Ltda. Website: http://www.bnamericas.com)
Biofuels 2008 and the impact on chemicals A very comprehensive report containing much information, technical and commercial, on many catalytic processes. $9900. A ‘Safe and Sustainable Chemicals Report’ from SRI Consulting, 4300 Bohannon Drive, Suite 2000, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA. Tel: +1 650 330 1149. Website: http://www.sriconsulting.com (Dec 2008)
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle launches new ActivCat technology Albemarle Corp, a leading producer of single site catalyst and metallocene
Avantium and Royal Cosun are to collaborate in developing a process for making a new generation of bioplastics and biofuels from organic waste. Avantium is already working on these materials under the name ‘Furanics’. Press releases from: Avantium, website: http://www.avantium.com and Cosun, website: http:www.cosun.com (21 Jan 2009)
Codexis and Dyadic sign enzymes pact US biocatalyst technology company Codexis has licensed the Chrysosporium lucknowense fungus, or C1, expression system of Dyadic International, which it will use for production of enzymes on a largescale. The enzymes will be used in the manufacture of biofuels, and chemical and pharmaceutical intermediates. A $10 M up-front payment will be made by Codexis as long as specific performance criteria are met. Chemical and Engineering News, 24 Nov 2008, 86 (47), 19
Danisco and Genencor results 2Q 2008-2009 In 2Q of fiscal 2008-2009 Danisco reported sales of DKR 3.3 bn, DKR 100,000 more than in 2Q 2007-2008, and operating results of DKR 317 M, up DKR 36 M. For the US enzymes daughter company Genencor, operating profit was down from DKR 150 M in 2Q 2007-2008 to less than DKR 100 M in 2Q 2008-2009; sales were up from DKR 920 M to DKR 1056 M. Dagbladet Borsen, 16 Dec 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
FEBRUARY 2009