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Dow Chemical purchases reactor module
F O C U S products and services to the worldwide life science and fine chemical industry. Press release from Codexis Inc, 220, Penobscot, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA. Tel: +1 650 298 5300. Fax: +1 650 298 5449. Website: www.codexis.com (4 Oct 2002)
Degussa restructures catalyst business marketing Degussa is establishing a business focus on speciality chemicals, fine chemicals, and catalysts. In 2001, catalyst sales were €280 M. Background is given on business, product, and company organisation in Asia. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Sep 2002, 43 (2186), 2
Dow Chemical purchases reactor module Dow Chemical Co has purchased a parallel pressure reactor system from Symyx Technologies Inc for use in the discovery and optimisation of polyolefin catalysis. Chemical Market Reporter, 30 Sep 2002 (Website: www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
DuPont Textiles renews alliance with NCL
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based PP homopolymer developed at Procter & Gamble. The product is the first polymer with elastomeric properties based solely on propylene. The companies are targeting markets such as packaging, nonwoven fibres, auto interiors, construction, household goods, and wire and cable. It is hoped to introduce the polymer in 2-3 years. Chemical and Engineering News, 23 Sep 2002, 80 (38), 21 & Chemical Week, 25 Sep 2002, 164 (37), 12 & Plastics News, 20 Sep 2002 (Website: www.plasticsnews.com) & Press release from Equistar Chemicals LP, 1221, McKinney, Houston, TX 77010, USA. Tel: +1 713 652 7300. Website: www.lyondell.com or www.equistarchem.com (17 Sep 2002)
Exxon – finding partners for catalyst development and licensing ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co of Fairfax, VA, is licensing its AdVanta fluidizedcatalytic-cracking (FCC) catalyst formulation to WR Grace & Co’s Davidson Catalysts unit. Grace will produce and sell ExxonMobil’s catalyst, which both firms jointly developed. The catalyst has been utilised since 1996 in some of ExxonMobil’s refineries. Davidson is the exclusive supplier of AdVanta. ExxonMobil has also formed a partnership with Kellogg Brown & Root Inc for the development of the FCC technology.
DuPont Textiles and Interiors (DuPont Textiles) has extended its research agreement with National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) of Pune until 2007. The alliance will focus on projects which would result in cost savings at its operating plants and also for its licensees. DuPont Textiles and NCL will together concentrate on developing a novel reactor system for processes applicable to the company’s textiles and interiors business, particularly on catalysis. DuPont Textiles had formed an alliance with NCL in 1994, which successfully achieved breakthroughs in the purification of terephthalic acid.
Chemical Engineering Progress, Aug 2002, 98 (8), 22
Chemical Weekly, 24 Sep 2002, 48 (5), 103 & Chemical Week, 18 Sep 2002, 164 (36), 7 & Press release from Du Pont Textiles & Interiors, USA (Website: www.dupont.com)
Haldor Topsoe Annual Report 2001, 18 Apr 2002 (Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: www.haldortopsoe.com)
Haldor Topsoe 2001 For fiscal 2001, Danish catalysts manufacturer Haldor Topsoe A/S has reported sales of DKR 2370 M (DKR 1912 M in fiscal 2000), operating income of DKR 163 M (DKR 173 M), net income of DKR 88 M (DKR 73 M), and headcount of 1605 (1492). There is a detailed discussion of the equity participation of Haldor Topsoe in Turkish Engineering Consulting and Contracting Co, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Ltd (Bangladesh), and Chambal Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd (India).
subsidiary, Synetix. When the transaction is completed, in 4Q 2002, Johnson Matthey will become the second largest company in the worldwide catalysts sector. Synetix has 800 personnel and makes sales in 85 countries. The company reported sales of £85 M in 2001. European Chemical News, 30 Sep 2002, 77 (2023), 7 & Chimie Hebdo, 30 Sep 2002, (186), 6 (in French), & Chemical Market Reporter, 30 Sep 2002 (Website: www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Business Line, 24 Sep 2002, 9 (265), 1 & Asian Chemical News, 30 Sep 2002, 8 (373), 5 & Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 24 Sep 2002, 39 (184), 15 (in German) & Press release from ICI PLC, ICI Corporate Communications, Manchester Square, London (23 Sep 2002)
Johnson Matthey: profits up despite weak dollar Johnson Matthey is expecting to record a growth in profits in the first half, despite lower prices for platinum group metals and adverse currency effects. When the 2Q ended on 30 Sep 2002 it was trading in line with expectations. Catalysts and chemicals were performing well and autocatalysts were benefiting from the global launch of its precision coating technology. In 2Q ended 30 Sep 2001 the company made a profit of £92.2 M on sales of £2.6 bn. European Chemical News, 23 Sep 2002, 77 (2022), 9
MIT process promises jump in efficiency A large percentage of drug active ingredients and around a third of all known organic compounds contain amino groups. The so-called Buchwald process developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could improve the production of aromatic amines and ethers decisively. It is based on a highly-efficient innovative catalyst. Bayer, Rhodia ChiRex, and MIT have thus concluded a licence agreement for developing the corresponding catalytic processes. It will enable both companies to use the process in the production of intermediates and active ingredients. Chemie Produktion, Sep 2002, 66 (9), 8 (in German)
Equistar, P&G develop novel polypropylene
Synetix buy will make JM No 2 in catalysts
Novozymes’ half-year results
Equistar Chemicals has agreed to licence and market a metallocene-
In a deal valued at £260 M, Johnson Matthey will purchase ICI’s catalyst
Novozymes announced an 8% increase in sales at DKR 2715 M for
NOVEMBER 2002
3
Degussa restructures catalyst business marketing Degussa is establishing a business focus on speciality chemicals, fine chemicals, and catalysts. In 2001, catalyst sales were €280 M. Background is given on business, product, and company organisation in Asia. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Sep 2002, 43 (2186), 2
Dow Chemical purchases reactor module Dow Chemical Co has purchased a parallel pressure reactor system from Symyx Technologies Inc for use in the discovery and optimisation of polyolefin catalysis. Chemical Market Reporter, 30 Sep 2002 (Website: www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
DuPont Textiles renews alliance with NCL
O N
C ATA LY S T S
based PP homopolymer developed at Procter & Gamble. The product is the first polymer with elastomeric properties based solely on propylene. The companies are targeting markets such as packaging, nonwoven fibres, auto interiors, construction, household goods, and wire and cable. It is hoped to introduce the polymer in 2-3 years. Chemical and Engineering News, 23 Sep 2002, 80 (38), 21 & Chemical Week, 25 Sep 2002, 164 (37), 12 & Plastics News, 20 Sep 2002 (Website: www.plasticsnews.com) & Press release from Equistar Chemicals LP, 1221, McKinney, Houston, TX 77010, USA. Tel: +1 713 652 7300. Website: www.lyondell.com or www.equistarchem.com (17 Sep 2002)
Exxon – finding partners for catalyst development and licensing ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co of Fairfax, VA, is licensing its AdVanta fluidizedcatalytic-cracking (FCC) catalyst formulation to WR Grace & Co’s Davidson Catalysts unit. Grace will produce and sell ExxonMobil’s catalyst, which both firms jointly developed. The catalyst has been utilised since 1996 in some of ExxonMobil’s refineries. Davidson is the exclusive supplier of AdVanta. ExxonMobil has also formed a partnership with Kellogg Brown & Root Inc for the development of the FCC technology.
DuPont Textiles and Interiors (DuPont Textiles) has extended its research agreement with National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) of Pune until 2007. The alliance will focus on projects which would result in cost savings at its operating plants and also for its licensees. DuPont Textiles and NCL will together concentrate on developing a novel reactor system for processes applicable to the company’s textiles and interiors business, particularly on catalysis. DuPont Textiles had formed an alliance with NCL in 1994, which successfully achieved breakthroughs in the purification of terephthalic acid.
Chemical Engineering Progress, Aug 2002, 98 (8), 22
Chemical Weekly, 24 Sep 2002, 48 (5), 103 & Chemical Week, 18 Sep 2002, 164 (36), 7 & Press release from Du Pont Textiles & Interiors, USA (Website: www.dupont.com)
Haldor Topsoe Annual Report 2001, 18 Apr 2002 (Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: www.haldortopsoe.com)
Haldor Topsoe 2001 For fiscal 2001, Danish catalysts manufacturer Haldor Topsoe A/S has reported sales of DKR 2370 M (DKR 1912 M in fiscal 2000), operating income of DKR 163 M (DKR 173 M), net income of DKR 88 M (DKR 73 M), and headcount of 1605 (1492). There is a detailed discussion of the equity participation of Haldor Topsoe in Turkish Engineering Consulting and Contracting Co, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Ltd (Bangladesh), and Chambal Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd (India).
subsidiary, Synetix. When the transaction is completed, in 4Q 2002, Johnson Matthey will become the second largest company in the worldwide catalysts sector. Synetix has 800 personnel and makes sales in 85 countries. The company reported sales of £85 M in 2001. European Chemical News, 30 Sep 2002, 77 (2023), 7 & Chimie Hebdo, 30 Sep 2002, (186), 6 (in French), & Chemical Market Reporter, 30 Sep 2002 (Website: www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Business Line, 24 Sep 2002, 9 (265), 1 & Asian Chemical News, 30 Sep 2002, 8 (373), 5 & Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 24 Sep 2002, 39 (184), 15 (in German) & Press release from ICI PLC, ICI Corporate Communications, Manchester Square, London (23 Sep 2002)
Johnson Matthey: profits up despite weak dollar Johnson Matthey is expecting to record a growth in profits in the first half, despite lower prices for platinum group metals and adverse currency effects. When the 2Q ended on 30 Sep 2002 it was trading in line with expectations. Catalysts and chemicals were performing well and autocatalysts were benefiting from the global launch of its precision coating technology. In 2Q ended 30 Sep 2001 the company made a profit of £92.2 M on sales of £2.6 bn. European Chemical News, 23 Sep 2002, 77 (2022), 9
MIT process promises jump in efficiency A large percentage of drug active ingredients and around a third of all known organic compounds contain amino groups. The so-called Buchwald process developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could improve the production of aromatic amines and ethers decisively. It is based on a highly-efficient innovative catalyst. Bayer, Rhodia ChiRex, and MIT have thus concluded a licence agreement for developing the corresponding catalytic processes. It will enable both companies to use the process in the production of intermediates and active ingredients. Chemie Produktion, Sep 2002, 66 (9), 8 (in German)
Equistar, P&G develop novel polypropylene
Synetix buy will make JM No 2 in catalysts
Novozymes’ half-year results
Equistar Chemicals has agreed to licence and market a metallocene-
In a deal valued at £260 M, Johnson Matthey will purchase ICI’s catalyst
Novozymes announced an 8% increase in sales at DKR 2715 M for
NOVEMBER 2002
3