- Email: [email protected]
S
FOCUS for the nine months of 2006 was $138.4 M, or $1.43/ share. Net sales for nine months of 2007 were $1.74 bn ($1.78 bn in nine months of 2006). Catalysts recorded net sales for 3Q 2007 of $216.4 M, a nominal decrease versus 3Q 2006, due primarily to lower volumes in HPC refinery catalysts, partially offset by improved pricing in FCC refinery catalysts and polyolefin catalysts. R&D expenses increased $3.9 M to $15.422 M for 3Q 2007 ($11.549 M in 3Q 2006). Albemarle 3Q and nine months 2007 financials, 22 Oct 2007 (Albemarle Corp, 330, South Fourth Street, PO Box 1335, Richmond, VA 23210, USA. Tel: +1 804 788 6000. Fax: +1 804 388 7686. Website: http://www.albemarle.com)
Avantium and BP extend strategic partnership Avantium announces a three-year extension of the strategic research collaboration with BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies. Avantium provides innovative, high value-added R&D services and tools to the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries, and has a long standing relationship with BP. The collaboration builds on the strategic relationship between BP and Avantium that was initiated in 2005. The strategic research collaboration in the area of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is extended for a period of 3 years. Press release from: Avantium Technologies, Zekeringstraat 29, 1014BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 586 8080. Fax: +31 20 586 8085. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.avantium.com (16 Oct 2007)
Catalytica Energy Systems closes merger transaction; Renergy Holdings Inc to start trading Catalytica Energy Systems Inc has announced the completion of its merger transaction with the renewable energy divisions of NZ Legacy LLC. The combined companies now operate under the name Renegy Holdings Inc (Renegy). Renegy common stock is scheduled to commence trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on 1 Oct 2007. Outstanding shares of Catalytica Energy Systems common stock on 1 Oct 2007 have been converted into the right to receive new shares of Renegy common stock at the exchange ratio of one share of Renegy common stock
DECEMBER 2007
ON
C ATA LY S T S
for every seven shares of Catalytica Energy Systems common stock held at the effective time of the merger. Press release from: Catalytica Energy Systems, Tempe, AZ, USA. Tel: +1 650 631 2847. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (1 Oct 2007)
Codexis acquires BioCatalytics Codexis, a USA-based biotech company, has purchased BioCatalytics, a Pasadena, CA-based enzyme company. The acquisition will form a global leader in the biocatalyst industry, merging the two companies’ expertise in the design, synthesis, and application of biocatalysts. Both Codexis and BioCatalytics are into the development of novel processes that are shorter, faster, and cleaner than currently available chemical synthesis technologies. Manufacturing Chemist, Sep 2007, 78 (9), 12
DSM offers technology for making ethanol from cellulose DSM has reported the development of a technology platform that can extract ethanol from cellulose. DSM has decided to offer the technology to India. This will enable the Indian government to realise its ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme. EBP programme involves blending of petrol with 5% ethanol. DSM is initiating talks with leading Indian oil marketing companies like RIL, IOC and IBP for commercial development of the technology. It involves the development of biocatalysts for fermenting lignocellulosic biomass. Chemical Weekly, 25 Sep 2007, 53 (6), 118
Fuel Tech awarded NOxOUT Ultra contract Fuel Tech Inc, a world leader in advanced engineering solutions for the optimization of combustion systems in utility and industrial applications, announced it was awarded a $7.2 M NOxOUT Ultra contract by an existing Midwest electric utility customer. The contract calls for the turnkey installation of a NOxOUT Ultra system in support of a new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for nitrogen oxide (NOx) control on a 400 megawatt coal-fired boiler. Project completion is scheduled for 2H 2008. The NOxOUT
ULTRA process provides for the safe and cost-effective on-site conversion of urea to ammonia for use as a reagent in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx, eliminating the hazards associated with the transport, storage and handling of anhydrous or aqueous ammonia. Press release from: Fuel Tech Inc, Financial Centre, 695 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06901, USA. Tel: +1 203 425 9830. Fax: +1 203 425 9823. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.fueltechnv.com (16 Oct 2007)
Genencor launches enzyme for cellulose-based bioethanol production Danisco’s American division Genencor has launched the first commercial enzyme for the production of cellulosebased bioethanol under the name Accellerase 1000. This converts lignocellulose mass to sugar which can then be fermented to ethanol. The enzyme answers an unfulfilled need for effective enzymes for converting biomass in research and demonstration facilities that are working on process development, upscaling, and integration of the various secondgeneration technologies. Dagbladet Borsen, 15 Oct 2007 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Dr Haldor Topsoe acquires Saipem’s shares in Haldor Topsoe A/S On 27 Sep 2007, Dr Haldor Topsoe acquired Saipem’s 50% share in Haldor Topsoe A/S for a consideration of €340 M in cash. Dr Haldor Topsoe now holds all the shares in Haldor Topsoe A/S. Saipem (43% owned by ENI) is the owner of Snamprogetti, which originally invested in Haldor Topsoe A/S alongside Dr Haldor Topsoe in 1972. “Haldor Topsoe A/S and Saipem will continue their commercial relationship, notably in the areas of ammonia and fertilizer” said Dr Topsoe continuing: “We have had a good and fruitful relationship with Snamprogetti for 35 years and while we are parting ways as shareholders in Haldor Topsoe A/S, we look forward to continuing our business relationship with both Snamprogetti and the broader Saipem and ENI groups”. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 45272000. Fax: +45 45272999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (27 Sep 2007)
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Avantium and BP extend strategic partnership Avantium announces a three-year extension of the strategic research collaboration with BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies. Avantium provides innovative, high value-added R&D services and tools to the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries, and has a long standing relationship with BP. The collaboration builds on the strategic relationship between BP and Avantium that was initiated in 2005. The strategic research collaboration in the area of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is extended for a period of 3 years. Press release from: Avantium Technologies, Zekeringstraat 29, 1014BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 586 8080. Fax: +31 20 586 8085. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.avantium.com (16 Oct 2007)
Catalytica Energy Systems closes merger transaction; Renergy Holdings Inc to start trading Catalytica Energy Systems Inc has announced the completion of its merger transaction with the renewable energy divisions of NZ Legacy LLC. The combined companies now operate under the name Renegy Holdings Inc (Renegy). Renegy common stock is scheduled to commence trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on 1 Oct 2007. Outstanding shares of Catalytica Energy Systems common stock on 1 Oct 2007 have been converted into the right to receive new shares of Renegy common stock at the exchange ratio of one share of Renegy common stock
DECEMBER 2007
ON
C ATA LY S T S
for every seven shares of Catalytica Energy Systems common stock held at the effective time of the merger. Press release from: Catalytica Energy Systems, Tempe, AZ, USA. Tel: +1 650 631 2847. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (1 Oct 2007)
Codexis acquires BioCatalytics Codexis, a USA-based biotech company, has purchased BioCatalytics, a Pasadena, CA-based enzyme company. The acquisition will form a global leader in the biocatalyst industry, merging the two companies’ expertise in the design, synthesis, and application of biocatalysts. Both Codexis and BioCatalytics are into the development of novel processes that are shorter, faster, and cleaner than currently available chemical synthesis technologies. Manufacturing Chemist, Sep 2007, 78 (9), 12
DSM offers technology for making ethanol from cellulose DSM has reported the development of a technology platform that can extract ethanol from cellulose. DSM has decided to offer the technology to India. This will enable the Indian government to realise its ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme. EBP programme involves blending of petrol with 5% ethanol. DSM is initiating talks with leading Indian oil marketing companies like RIL, IOC and IBP for commercial development of the technology. It involves the development of biocatalysts for fermenting lignocellulosic biomass. Chemical Weekly, 25 Sep 2007, 53 (6), 118
Fuel Tech awarded NOxOUT Ultra contract Fuel Tech Inc, a world leader in advanced engineering solutions for the optimization of combustion systems in utility and industrial applications, announced it was awarded a $7.2 M NOxOUT Ultra contract by an existing Midwest electric utility customer. The contract calls for the turnkey installation of a NOxOUT Ultra system in support of a new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for nitrogen oxide (NOx) control on a 400 megawatt coal-fired boiler. Project completion is scheduled for 2H 2008. The NOxOUT
ULTRA process provides for the safe and cost-effective on-site conversion of urea to ammonia for use as a reagent in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx, eliminating the hazards associated with the transport, storage and handling of anhydrous or aqueous ammonia. Press release from: Fuel Tech Inc, Financial Centre, 695 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06901, USA. Tel: +1 203 425 9830. Fax: +1 203 425 9823. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.fueltechnv.com (16 Oct 2007)
Genencor launches enzyme for cellulose-based bioethanol production Danisco’s American division Genencor has launched the first commercial enzyme for the production of cellulosebased bioethanol under the name Accellerase 1000. This converts lignocellulose mass to sugar which can then be fermented to ethanol. The enzyme answers an unfulfilled need for effective enzymes for converting biomass in research and demonstration facilities that are working on process development, upscaling, and integration of the various secondgeneration technologies. Dagbladet Borsen, 15 Oct 2007 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Dr Haldor Topsoe acquires Saipem’s shares in Haldor Topsoe A/S On 27 Sep 2007, Dr Haldor Topsoe acquired Saipem’s 50% share in Haldor Topsoe A/S for a consideration of €340 M in cash. Dr Haldor Topsoe now holds all the shares in Haldor Topsoe A/S. Saipem (43% owned by ENI) is the owner of Snamprogetti, which originally invested in Haldor Topsoe A/S alongside Dr Haldor Topsoe in 1972. “Haldor Topsoe A/S and Saipem will continue their commercial relationship, notably in the areas of ammonia and fertilizer” said Dr Topsoe continuing: “We have had a good and fruitful relationship with Snamprogetti for 35 years and while we are parting ways as shareholders in Haldor Topsoe A/S, we look forward to continuing our business relationship with both Snamprogetti and the broader Saipem and ENI groups”. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 45272000. Fax: +45 45272999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (27 Sep 2007)
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