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Diversa and Givaudan announce milestone achievement
F O C U S ingredients are being produced by Daiso using new technology developed by Brandeis University. Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted with alcohols in the presence of optically active catalysts. Optically active hemiester compounds are produced when the catalysts incorporate frameworks of quinine, quinidine, or other compounds. The molecular structures of the compounds include carboxylic acid and ester groups. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3 & Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 21
Diversa and Givaudan announce milestone achievement Diversa Corp and Givaudan Flavors Corp have achieved a key milestone in their collaborative agreement to discover and develop novel enzymes and processes for the cost-effective production of new products for consumer applications. This milestone signifies the successful development of a novel biocatalyst that significantly improves the efficient production of a natural flavour ingredient. The new proprietary bio-catalytic process, which will replace an existing chemical process, is currently being scaled up for pilot plant trials. Under the terms of the collaborative agreement initiated in Jan 2002, Diversa will receive a milestone payment and, upon commercialisation, will receive licence fees and royalties. Press releases from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. Website: http://www.diversa.com; and Givaudan Flavors Corp, 1199, Edison Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216, USA. Tel: +1 513 948 8000. Fax: +1 513 948 5637. Website: http://www.givaudan.com (3 Sep 2003)
Engelhard’s FCC additive boosts flexibility Engelhard has developed a new additive which enhances the operational flexibility of the catalytic cracking (FCC) systems of petroleum refiners. The additive is claimed to help FCC systems maintain unit activity with heavier crude feedstocks, increase unit conversion and profitability, enhance bottoms recovery, selectively adjust the performance characteristics of a given
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product, and produce a wider range of petroleum products, all without changing the catalyst. The firm’s Distributed Matrix Structure (DMS) technology platform has been used as the basis for the converter. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2003, 110 (7), 23
EnviroFuels obtains private placement Mdechem Inc was incorporated in 1996 to fund R&D into innovative products based on the patented technology of Frank DeFalco and Charles McCoy. The company has developed three products: REV-ERUP, Blue Marble and a fuel-borne catalyst, all of which are now owned by EnviroFuels LP, a partnership in which Mdechem owns 70,000 participation units. As announced in early 2003, EnviroFuels purchased all of Mdechem’s technology and patent rights and entire line of products developed for improving fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines. EnviroFuels has successfully sold new Limited Partnership Units in a Private Placement, raising $530,000 in new equity during 1Q and 2Q 2003. The new infusion provides operating capital needed to continue testing and initiate marketing activities and extend intellectual property rights. Press release from Mdechem Inc, 3505 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057, USA. Tel: +1 713 334 7882. Fax: +1 713 334 7221. Website: http://www.mdechem.com (3 Sep 2003)
Idemitsu to start FCC improvement research Research into a fluid catalytic cracking unit giving a high yield of propylene from heavy oil and byproducts is to be undertaken by Idemitsu Kosan in conjunction with Idemitsu Petrochemical, Mitsui Chemicals, and Sumitomo Chemical. The development is aimed at improving the competitiveness of refineries in relation to facilities in China and the Middle East. Research will be undertaken into increasing the cracking temperature from 500° to 600° which would result in higher yields of aromatics and propylene. Japan Chemical Week, 28 Aug 2003, 44 (2234), 7
Indian Oil Technologies to offer tech solutions to hydrocarbons industry Indian Oil Technologies Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of IOC, was recently started as a marketing outfit for all the technologies developed at the R&D Centre of IOC. Indian Oil Technologies is banking on its 111 patents which include 28 from the US to meet the requirements for new technologies by the hydrocarbon sector in India, Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. The R&D activities of the company, which are basically in refining technology, target fluid catalytic cracking hydroprocessing, catalysis etc. Chemical Weekly, 19 Aug 2003, 48 (52), 128
New GTL technology company FMC Technologies Inc. and Accentus plc of the UK have set up a jv, GTL MicroSystems, which will focus on the development of small-scale gas-toliquids technology. The new company is expected provide technology suitable for small, stranded reserves and gas as by-product of oil production, which are commercially difficult to exploit. GTL MicroSystems expects to provide technology that can allow the commercial development of gas reserves as small as 10 M cu ft/day, or equivalent to 1000 bbl/day, at lower capital cost per barrel than those of traditional, largescale plants. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul-Aug 2003, (264), 9
Kemira’s Ecocat purrs with new growth strategy For 1H 2003, Ecocat, previously known as Kemira Metalkat, reported a 30% rise in sales. The company expects that this increase will be maintained in 2H 2003, because of expansion into new geographical markets and new products. Sales for 2002 were €34 M. In response to clients’ requests, Ecocat is permitting competitors’ substrates to be put onto its own catalysts and for its substrates to be coated with competitors’ products. This action has been taken because of consolidation in automotive supplier sectors. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 8
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Diversa and Givaudan announce milestone achievement Diversa Corp and Givaudan Flavors Corp have achieved a key milestone in their collaborative agreement to discover and develop novel enzymes and processes for the cost-effective production of new products for consumer applications. This milestone signifies the successful development of a novel biocatalyst that significantly improves the efficient production of a natural flavour ingredient. The new proprietary bio-catalytic process, which will replace an existing chemical process, is currently being scaled up for pilot plant trials. Under the terms of the collaborative agreement initiated in Jan 2002, Diversa will receive a milestone payment and, upon commercialisation, will receive licence fees and royalties. Press releases from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. Website: http://www.diversa.com; and Givaudan Flavors Corp, 1199, Edison Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216, USA. Tel: +1 513 948 8000. Fax: +1 513 948 5637. Website: http://www.givaudan.com (3 Sep 2003)
Engelhard’s FCC additive boosts flexibility Engelhard has developed a new additive which enhances the operational flexibility of the catalytic cracking (FCC) systems of petroleum refiners. The additive is claimed to help FCC systems maintain unit activity with heavier crude feedstocks, increase unit conversion and profitability, enhance bottoms recovery, selectively adjust the performance characteristics of a given
OCTOBER 2003
O N
C ATA LY S T S
product, and produce a wider range of petroleum products, all without changing the catalyst. The firm’s Distributed Matrix Structure (DMS) technology platform has been used as the basis for the converter. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2003, 110 (7), 23
EnviroFuels obtains private placement Mdechem Inc was incorporated in 1996 to fund R&D into innovative products based on the patented technology of Frank DeFalco and Charles McCoy. The company has developed three products: REV-ERUP, Blue Marble and a fuel-borne catalyst, all of which are now owned by EnviroFuels LP, a partnership in which Mdechem owns 70,000 participation units. As announced in early 2003, EnviroFuels purchased all of Mdechem’s technology and patent rights and entire line of products developed for improving fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines. EnviroFuels has successfully sold new Limited Partnership Units in a Private Placement, raising $530,000 in new equity during 1Q and 2Q 2003. The new infusion provides operating capital needed to continue testing and initiate marketing activities and extend intellectual property rights. Press release from Mdechem Inc, 3505 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057, USA. Tel: +1 713 334 7882. Fax: +1 713 334 7221. Website: http://www.mdechem.com (3 Sep 2003)
Idemitsu to start FCC improvement research Research into a fluid catalytic cracking unit giving a high yield of propylene from heavy oil and byproducts is to be undertaken by Idemitsu Kosan in conjunction with Idemitsu Petrochemical, Mitsui Chemicals, and Sumitomo Chemical. The development is aimed at improving the competitiveness of refineries in relation to facilities in China and the Middle East. Research will be undertaken into increasing the cracking temperature from 500° to 600° which would result in higher yields of aromatics and propylene. Japan Chemical Week, 28 Aug 2003, 44 (2234), 7
Indian Oil Technologies to offer tech solutions to hydrocarbons industry Indian Oil Technologies Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of IOC, was recently started as a marketing outfit for all the technologies developed at the R&D Centre of IOC. Indian Oil Technologies is banking on its 111 patents which include 28 from the US to meet the requirements for new technologies by the hydrocarbon sector in India, Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. The R&D activities of the company, which are basically in refining technology, target fluid catalytic cracking hydroprocessing, catalysis etc. Chemical Weekly, 19 Aug 2003, 48 (52), 128
New GTL technology company FMC Technologies Inc. and Accentus plc of the UK have set up a jv, GTL MicroSystems, which will focus on the development of small-scale gas-toliquids technology. The new company is expected provide technology suitable for small, stranded reserves and gas as by-product of oil production, which are commercially difficult to exploit. GTL MicroSystems expects to provide technology that can allow the commercial development of gas reserves as small as 10 M cu ft/day, or equivalent to 1000 bbl/day, at lower capital cost per barrel than those of traditional, largescale plants. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul-Aug 2003, (264), 9
Kemira’s Ecocat purrs with new growth strategy For 1H 2003, Ecocat, previously known as Kemira Metalkat, reported a 30% rise in sales. The company expects that this increase will be maintained in 2H 2003, because of expansion into new geographical markets and new products. Sales for 2002 were €34 M. In response to clients’ requests, Ecocat is permitting competitors’ substrates to be put onto its own catalysts and for its substrates to be coated with competitors’ products. This action has been taken because of consolidation in automotive supplier sectors. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 8
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