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Danisco opens new plants in India
F O C U S vehicles at its Michigan plant. In Feb 2008, Coskata partnered with US engineering firm ICM for the design and construction of a 50-100 M gallon ethanol plant that will employ Coskata’s biological fermentation technology. The unit is expected to come online in late 2010. Chemical Week, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & 24 Mar 2008, 170 (10), 53
Strong growth for Danisco’s bioethanol enzymes in 3Q 2007-2008 In 3Q of fiscal 2007-2008 Danisco reported a strong growth for enzymes for bioethanol production in the US. However, Jyske Bank believes the 2figure growth is only of symbolic significance as the company is recovering from a very low level, particularly after having lost a legal dispute with Novozymes. Since receiving damages from Danisco, Novozymes has also won market share and Danisco remains in the shadow of its big brother. Feed enzymes generated a particularly high growth rate while enzymes for alcoholic fermentation, primarily for use in the bioethanol industry, recovered momentum quickly and are close to achieving market growth in the dominant N American market. R&D costs were up 17% in 3Q 20072008 relative to 2006-2007, partly reflecting investment in bioethanol. Dagbladet Borsen, 26 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Danisco opens new plants in India On 11 Mar 2008 Danisco opened two new production units for functional systems and enzymes in SE Asia. The $6 M investment involves plants, laboratories, and office facilities, as well as 20 new jobs. India is the world’s biggest milk producer and has major potential in the area of valueadded dairy products. The functional systems plant will manufacture mixtures for the ice cream market in the first instance but will later extend its work to include other milk products. The industrial enzymes market is growing rapidly in India and Danisco wants to exploit this potential by opening an enzyme plant which will be operated by the enzymes division
MAY 2008
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Genencor. This plant will mainly produce enzyme mixtures for use in animal feed, foodstuffs, beverages, bioethanol, grain processing, washing products, and textiles. Net Posten, 11 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish) & Business Line, 12 Mar 2008, 15 (71), 3
Eastman uses green esterification process USA-based Eastman Chemical will launch two enzymatic esterificationbased cosmetic ingredients in Apr 2008. Enzymatic esterification is an environment-friendly processing technology. ICIS Chemical Business, 24 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Cargill and Materia form jv to make bio-based specialities Cargill and Materia have formed a jv, Elevance Renewable Sciences (Lisle, IL), to make bio-based speciality chemicals. Materia has proprietary technology in metathesis catalysts, and Cargill is a major supplier of plant products. The two companies have had a joint development agreement since 2004. Chemical Week, 24 Mar 2008, 170 (10), 18 & ICIS Chemical Business, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical and Engineering News, 31 Mar 2007, 86 (13), 6 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Apr 2008, (418), 12 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
Materia and Cargill form speciality chemical company A bio-based speciality chemicals company has been formed by USAbased catalyst technology developer Materia and Cargill. The new company, Elevance Renewable Sciences, hopes to post over $20 M sales in 2008 and generate over $1 bn/y by 2016. Fort Worth, TX, USAbased private investment company Texas Pacific Group (TPG) has lent over $40 M in financing to Elevance. Materia and Cargill are minority stakeholders in Elevance, with TPG controlling the majority shares. Materia’s proprietary olefin metathesis process will be used by Elevance. Plant oils are converted into speciality chemicals with the help of a ruthenium catalyst. The natural feedstocks will be supplied by Cargill,
while the ruthenium catalyst will be supplied by Materia. Chemical Week, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Evonik and Sibur mull cooperation Sibur Holding and Evonik Industries AG have started a feasibility study for a propylene oxide (PO) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) plant. A decision on location and capacities will be made after completion of the study . The new plant will use the new hydrogen peroxide-based HPPO process developed jointly by Evonik and engineering company Uhde. If approval for construction of the PO plant is received, Evonik and Sibur will consider establishing a jv for the production of hydrogen peroxide to supply raw material. Capacity of the new plant will not only allow Sibur to supply the PO plant but also to meet demands of the Russian and CIS markets for hydrogen peroxide for applications in the paper industry. RCCnews, 28 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.rccnews.ru/ENG) & Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
GreenField Ethanol and Enerkem plan to commercialise cellulosic ethanol GreenField Ethanol Inc (GreenField) and Enerkem have signed a binding term sheet outlining their plan to produce cellulosic ethanol on a commercial scale. GreenField has agreed to work with Enerkem to make cellulosic ethanol a commercial reality in Canada. Canadian consumers are looking for a greener, affordable alternative to fossil fuels and GreenField is delivering by expanding its corn ethanol business to include new bio-based fuels. The companies agreed to terms that will see them collaborate 50/50 on joint projects to design, build and operate commercial cellulosic ethanol plants using Enerkem technology in specified geographic areas. The first plant location has been secured within Canada and will be announced shortly from Mar 2008. A second plant is also in development. Enerkem’s technology converts biomass such as sorted municipal solid waste and urban wood residues into cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. It
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Strong growth for Danisco’s bioethanol enzymes in 3Q 2007-2008 In 3Q of fiscal 2007-2008 Danisco reported a strong growth for enzymes for bioethanol production in the US. However, Jyske Bank believes the 2figure growth is only of symbolic significance as the company is recovering from a very low level, particularly after having lost a legal dispute with Novozymes. Since receiving damages from Danisco, Novozymes has also won market share and Danisco remains in the shadow of its big brother. Feed enzymes generated a particularly high growth rate while enzymes for alcoholic fermentation, primarily for use in the bioethanol industry, recovered momentum quickly and are close to achieving market growth in the dominant N American market. R&D costs were up 17% in 3Q 20072008 relative to 2006-2007, partly reflecting investment in bioethanol. Dagbladet Borsen, 26 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Danisco opens new plants in India On 11 Mar 2008 Danisco opened two new production units for functional systems and enzymes in SE Asia. The $6 M investment involves plants, laboratories, and office facilities, as well as 20 new jobs. India is the world’s biggest milk producer and has major potential in the area of valueadded dairy products. The functional systems plant will manufacture mixtures for the ice cream market in the first instance but will later extend its work to include other milk products. The industrial enzymes market is growing rapidly in India and Danisco wants to exploit this potential by opening an enzyme plant which will be operated by the enzymes division
MAY 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Genencor. This plant will mainly produce enzyme mixtures for use in animal feed, foodstuffs, beverages, bioethanol, grain processing, washing products, and textiles. Net Posten, 11 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish) & Business Line, 12 Mar 2008, 15 (71), 3
Eastman uses green esterification process USA-based Eastman Chemical will launch two enzymatic esterificationbased cosmetic ingredients in Apr 2008. Enzymatic esterification is an environment-friendly processing technology. ICIS Chemical Business, 24 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Cargill and Materia form jv to make bio-based specialities Cargill and Materia have formed a jv, Elevance Renewable Sciences (Lisle, IL), to make bio-based speciality chemicals. Materia has proprietary technology in metathesis catalysts, and Cargill is a major supplier of plant products. The two companies have had a joint development agreement since 2004. Chemical Week, 24 Mar 2008, 170 (10), 18 & ICIS Chemical Business, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical and Engineering News, 31 Mar 2007, 86 (13), 6 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Apr 2008, (418), 12 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
Materia and Cargill form speciality chemical company A bio-based speciality chemicals company has been formed by USAbased catalyst technology developer Materia and Cargill. The new company, Elevance Renewable Sciences, hopes to post over $20 M sales in 2008 and generate over $1 bn/y by 2016. Fort Worth, TX, USAbased private investment company Texas Pacific Group (TPG) has lent over $40 M in financing to Elevance. Materia and Cargill are minority stakeholders in Elevance, with TPG controlling the majority shares. Materia’s proprietary olefin metathesis process will be used by Elevance. Plant oils are converted into speciality chemicals with the help of a ruthenium catalyst. The natural feedstocks will be supplied by Cargill,
while the ruthenium catalyst will be supplied by Materia. Chemical Week, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Evonik and Sibur mull cooperation Sibur Holding and Evonik Industries AG have started a feasibility study for a propylene oxide (PO) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) plant. A decision on location and capacities will be made after completion of the study . The new plant will use the new hydrogen peroxide-based HPPO process developed jointly by Evonik and engineering company Uhde. If approval for construction of the PO plant is received, Evonik and Sibur will consider establishing a jv for the production of hydrogen peroxide to supply raw material. Capacity of the new plant will not only allow Sibur to supply the PO plant but also to meet demands of the Russian and CIS markets for hydrogen peroxide for applications in the paper industry. RCCnews, 28 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.rccnews.ru/ENG) & Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 31 Mar 2008 (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
GreenField Ethanol and Enerkem plan to commercialise cellulosic ethanol GreenField Ethanol Inc (GreenField) and Enerkem have signed a binding term sheet outlining their plan to produce cellulosic ethanol on a commercial scale. GreenField has agreed to work with Enerkem to make cellulosic ethanol a commercial reality in Canada. Canadian consumers are looking for a greener, affordable alternative to fossil fuels and GreenField is delivering by expanding its corn ethanol business to include new bio-based fuels. The companies agreed to terms that will see them collaborate 50/50 on joint projects to design, build and operate commercial cellulosic ethanol plants using Enerkem technology in specified geographic areas. The first plant location has been secured within Canada and will be announced shortly from Mar 2008. A second plant is also in development. Enerkem’s technology converts biomass such as sorted municipal solid waste and urban wood residues into cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. It
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