F O C U S advances in enzyme production technologies. The Midwest’s new enzyme production facility, which is currently coming up at Blair, NE, is an example of the hub production model. The production model is located at a site surrounded by the US ethanol industry. The construction cost of the project is about $200 M. It will cater to the needs of both corn- and cellulosebased ethanol manufacturers. In the meantime, Novozyme has announced the expansion of its R&D facility in Davis, CA. The facility will work on developing an innovative method and commercially producing cellulosic ethanol. The company expects to launch its enzymes by 2010. Biofuels International, Jun 2009, 3 (5), 48
COMPANY NEWS Danisco warns potential bidders Danisco’s chairman Jorgen Tandrup has sent a clear warning to any potential investors from both industry and the financial sector that are interested in acquiring the underperforming Danish enzymes and ingredients producer. Tandrup says there is now no longer any technical share protection which can hinder a takeover of the company, but any bid will have to overmatch the strong growth and earnings that he foresees for Danisco in the future. The recent proposal that the voting rights restriction in Danisco should be lifted should not be interpreted as an invitation to bid for the company. NP Investor, 22 Sep 2009 (Website: http://www.npinvestor.dk/) (in Danish)
Dow to open Middle East R&D Center at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and The Dow Chemical Co plan to build on their partnership by establishing the Dow Middle East R&D Centre at the University’s adjacent Research Park and Innovation Cluster. Substantial completion of the proposed state-ofthe-art R&D centre, to be jointly designed by the partners, is expected
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by the end of 2010. Initial research at the Dow Middle East R&D Centre will focus on water and water treatment technologies, eventually expanding its scope to oil and gas, processes R&D, and infrastructure materials. All of these activities are aligned with existing KAUST Research Centres. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000. Fax: +1 989 636 3518. Website: http://www.dow.com (29 Sep 2009) & ICIS ChemicalBusiness, 5 Oct 2009, 276 (12), 9
Eucodis Bioscience launches lipase portfolio Eucodis Bioscience GmbH (Eucodis) has launched the first enzymes of its lipase portfolio. Eucodis currently offers 12 lipases that have been selected to cover a broad range of potential industrial applications. Lipases are an enzyme family that is widely used across the chemical industry, including the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textiles, and food and feed industries. Eucodis offers lipases up to the kilogram scale. The company can also customize promising lipases to properties specified by the customer, using its proven in-vivo recombination technology. With the launch of its lipases portfolio Eucodis enters a market of $300 M. Eucodis’ customers can select from its portfolio of currently 12 lipases which include both enzymes designed for wellestablished uses as well as those with exciting novel properties. Going forward it plans to expand its lipase platform and to leverage the industrial expertise it can offer in this area. Press release from: EUCODIS Bioscience, Campus Vienna Biocenter II, Viehmarktgasse 2 a/ 2 OG, A1030 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 8900804. E-mail:
[email protected]. Website: http://www.eucodisbioscience.com (21 Sep 2009)
Haldor Topsoe eyes EU biorefineries project Haldor Topsoe plans to take part in a European Union (EU) biorefineries project, an effort aimed at giving incentives for facilities that can produce chemicals and fuels from biomass or renewables. The facilities should also be equipped to handle the conversion of biomass from field to fuel, and from plants to plastic. The project, which has been allocated €23 M in funding from the EU’s Seventh
Framework Programme, will bring together partners from 15 nations. Haldor Topsoe expects to make significant contributions to the project through its downstream gasification technology and catalytic processes. Chemical Week, 7 Sep 2009 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Biofuel maker LS9 raises $25 M LS9, the Renewable Petroleum Company, successfully completed a $25 M round of funding. Participating investors included CTTV Investments LLC, the venture capital arm of Chevron Technology Ventures LLC; Flagship Ventures; Khosla Ventures; and Lightspeed Venture Partners. In May 2009, LS9 announced a strategic partnership with Procter & Gamble to support the joint development and commercialisation of LS9 technology to produce key chemicals used within the P&G portfolio of consumer products. LS9’s revolutionary technology uses a one-step fermentation process to convert renewable plant-based materials into a portfolio of UltraClean fuels and high-value, sustainable chemicals. LS9 Inc, the Renewable Petroleum Company, is a privately-held industrial biotechnology company pursuing the commercial development of renewable fuels and chemicals. Press release from: LS9 Inc, 1300 Industrial Road, 16 San Carlos, CA 94070, USA. Fax: +1 650 596 6195. E-mail:
[email protected]. Website: http://www.ls9.com (25 Sep 2009)
Maps India produces and exports industrial enzymes Maps India (Maps) is engaged in producing and exporting a wide variety of industrial enzymes, which include amylases, proteases, cellulases, xylanase, glucoamylase, pectinase, catalase and phytase. These enzymes find applications in many industries. Besides industrial enzymes, the company also works on microorganisms. Maps’ product range includes over 60 products, a sales network that covers 20 countries and products for more than 10 industries, with a workforce of over 150. Furthermore, the company is also envisaging diversifying its operations in Gujarat, India, with an investment of Rup 10 crore. Maps recorded
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