- Email: [email protected]
Genencor and BRAIN establish a research collaboration for the production of bio-based chemicals from renewable feedstock
F O C U S Zwingenberg, Germany, and DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in The Netherlands, join forces in the fields of enzyme systems and strain development for the fermentative production of speciality chemicals. DSM’s extensive experience in producing and marketing innovative speciality chemicals and BRAIN’s profound expertise in the fields of technology and microbial resources, this collaboration is built on very firm foundations and looks set to be a success. Press release from: Biotechnology Research and Information Network AG, Germany. Tel: +49 0 6251 9331 16. Fax: +49 0 6251 9331 11. Website: http://www.brain-biotech.de (14 Jan 2009) & Meuse-Rhine Journal, 30 Jan 2009 (199) (Wadsworth & Wadsworth Assoc, PO Box 42, NL-6245 ZG, Eijsden, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 43 4093719. Fax: +31 43 4098899. Website: http://www.meuserhine-journal.com)
Genencor and BRAIN establish a research collaboration for the production of bio-based chemicals from renewable feedstock Danisco A/S’s Genencor division and biotechnology company BRAIN AG are joining forces to develop the bio-based fermentative production of industrially relevant biochemicals from renewable raw materials. Genencor will use its extensive capabilities in metabolic pathway engineering and bio-manufacturing of industrial bio-products and BRAIN AG will utilise its world leading expertise in the fields of metagenomics and screening technologies, to pursue product targets for the chemical industry. BRAIN will provide Genencor access to these technologies and especially to its vast metagenome resources of some 150 M genes of yet uncultured microorganisms. Enzymes and biosynthetic pathways of interest will then be genetically engineered in microbial production strains for the production of important biochemicals. Press release from: Danisco A/S, Langebrogade 1, PO Box 17, DK-1001 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Tel: +45 32 66 20 00. Fax: +45 32 66 21 75. Website: http://www.danisco.com (7 Jan 2009) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 14 (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 12 Jan 2009, 87 (2), 27 & SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Jan 2009, 82 (1), 10
MARCH 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Catalyx Nanotech and Dudek teaming to sequester carbon and produce ‘green’ hydrogen and nanomaterials from landfill gas Catalyx Nanotech Inc (Catalyx) is teaming with Dudek to pursue lowcost, ‘green’ high-grade graphite and hydrogen production with no byproducts, using a patented technology. Catalyx and Dudek are seeking multiple landfills in Southern California on which to site production facilities. Catalyx expects to start production in the first plant in late 2009. Catalyx intends to install plants at landfills to convert the produced methane gas into two useful materials: elemental graphitic carbon, which will be transformed into nanomaterials, and hydrogen. Press release from: Catalyx Nanotech Inc, 1200 N Van Buren Suite A, Anaheim, CA 92807, USA. Tel: +1 714 630 2124. Fax: +1 714 630 6928. Website: http://www.catalyxnano.com) (14 Jan 2009)
Dow can do without PIC Dow Chemical is considering pursuing legal action against Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) after PIC decided to withdraw from their jv agreement. Named K-Dow, the jv would have been a global provider of essential petrochemicals and plastics and would also engage in licensing polypropylene technology and selling related catalysts. Financial analysts say that Dow could make a claim of as much as $2.5 bn (€1.85 bn) against PIC. The formation of the K-Dow jv was in line with the company’s asset-light and more market-oriented focus. Dow disclosed that it can expedite efforts to find a new partner for at least portions of the package of its upstream olefins and polyolefins business, primarily the basic polymers unit that includes polyethylene. Parties other than PIC have expressed interest on the business as recently as Nov 2008, according to the company.
produce catalysts with applications in converting synthesis gas (syngas) to alcohols, olefins, and other chemicals and in ethanol-based ethylene and other chemicals. Dow said the collaboration is part of its efforts to seek ways to cut its dependence on oil and gas as the raw materials in chemicals and plastics production. The agreement calls for the two firms to pool R&D resources involving catalyst design and synthesis, highthroughput, and traditional catalyst testing, and other areas, with the two firms sharing ownership of intellectual property arising from the partnership. Chemical Week, 26 Jan 2009, 171 (3), 4 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 26 Jan 2009, (452), 20 (in French) & Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 6 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German) & Press release from: Süd-Chemie AG, Germany. Tel: +49 89 5110 250. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com (22 Jan 2009) & Press release from: The Dow Chemical Company, 2030 Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674 USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1792. Website: http://www.dow.com (22 Jan 2009)
Johnson Matthey Catalysts selects Azelis Azelis has been chosen by Johnson Matthey Catalysts as the distributor of its Vertex line of titanate catalysts and zirconium catalysts starting Jan 2009. Under the deal, Azelis will distribute the products in Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. Paint and Resin Times, Dec 2008, (5), 15
LyondellBasell launches new PP technology Dutch group LyondellBasell has launched a new metallocene catalyst system designed to improve its Metocene polypropylene production technology platform. According to LyondellBasell, the new family of catalysts increase homopolymer and copolymer dispersion thanks to fusion indices ranging from very low to very high.
ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 15 (in French) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 26 Jan 2009, (2), 13
Dow and Süd-Chemie to collaborate on syngas-to-chemicals project
Nippon Oil changes courses in its R&D for low-cost BTX production
Dow Chemical will partner with SüdChemie to develop, scale-up, and
Nippon Oil has made a decision to give up developing zeolite-catalyzed
3
Genencor and BRAIN establish a research collaboration for the production of bio-based chemicals from renewable feedstock Danisco A/S’s Genencor division and biotechnology company BRAIN AG are joining forces to develop the bio-based fermentative production of industrially relevant biochemicals from renewable raw materials. Genencor will use its extensive capabilities in metabolic pathway engineering and bio-manufacturing of industrial bio-products and BRAIN AG will utilise its world leading expertise in the fields of metagenomics and screening technologies, to pursue product targets for the chemical industry. BRAIN will provide Genencor access to these technologies and especially to its vast metagenome resources of some 150 M genes of yet uncultured microorganisms. Enzymes and biosynthetic pathways of interest will then be genetically engineered in microbial production strains for the production of important biochemicals. Press release from: Danisco A/S, Langebrogade 1, PO Box 17, DK-1001 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Tel: +45 32 66 20 00. Fax: +45 32 66 21 75. Website: http://www.danisco.com (7 Jan 2009) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 14 (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 12 Jan 2009, 87 (2), 27 & SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Jan 2009, 82 (1), 10
MARCH 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Catalyx Nanotech and Dudek teaming to sequester carbon and produce ‘green’ hydrogen and nanomaterials from landfill gas Catalyx Nanotech Inc (Catalyx) is teaming with Dudek to pursue lowcost, ‘green’ high-grade graphite and hydrogen production with no byproducts, using a patented technology. Catalyx and Dudek are seeking multiple landfills in Southern California on which to site production facilities. Catalyx expects to start production in the first plant in late 2009. Catalyx intends to install plants at landfills to convert the produced methane gas into two useful materials: elemental graphitic carbon, which will be transformed into nanomaterials, and hydrogen. Press release from: Catalyx Nanotech Inc, 1200 N Van Buren Suite A, Anaheim, CA 92807, USA. Tel: +1 714 630 2124. Fax: +1 714 630 6928. Website: http://www.catalyxnano.com) (14 Jan 2009)
Dow can do without PIC Dow Chemical is considering pursuing legal action against Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) after PIC decided to withdraw from their jv agreement. Named K-Dow, the jv would have been a global provider of essential petrochemicals and plastics and would also engage in licensing polypropylene technology and selling related catalysts. Financial analysts say that Dow could make a claim of as much as $2.5 bn (€1.85 bn) against PIC. The formation of the K-Dow jv was in line with the company’s asset-light and more market-oriented focus. Dow disclosed that it can expedite efforts to find a new partner for at least portions of the package of its upstream olefins and polyolefins business, primarily the basic polymers unit that includes polyethylene. Parties other than PIC have expressed interest on the business as recently as Nov 2008, according to the company.
produce catalysts with applications in converting synthesis gas (syngas) to alcohols, olefins, and other chemicals and in ethanol-based ethylene and other chemicals. Dow said the collaboration is part of its efforts to seek ways to cut its dependence on oil and gas as the raw materials in chemicals and plastics production. The agreement calls for the two firms to pool R&D resources involving catalyst design and synthesis, highthroughput, and traditional catalyst testing, and other areas, with the two firms sharing ownership of intellectual property arising from the partnership. Chemical Week, 26 Jan 2009, 171 (3), 4 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 26 Jan 2009, (452), 20 (in French) & Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 6 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German) & Press release from: Süd-Chemie AG, Germany. Tel: +49 89 5110 250. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com (22 Jan 2009) & Press release from: The Dow Chemical Company, 2030 Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674 USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1792. Website: http://www.dow.com (22 Jan 2009)
Johnson Matthey Catalysts selects Azelis Azelis has been chosen by Johnson Matthey Catalysts as the distributor of its Vertex line of titanate catalysts and zirconium catalysts starting Jan 2009. Under the deal, Azelis will distribute the products in Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. Paint and Resin Times, Dec 2008, (5), 15
LyondellBasell launches new PP technology Dutch group LyondellBasell has launched a new metallocene catalyst system designed to improve its Metocene polypropylene production technology platform. According to LyondellBasell, the new family of catalysts increase homopolymer and copolymer dispersion thanks to fusion indices ranging from very low to very high.
ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Jan 2009, (450), 15 (in French) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 26 Jan 2009, (2), 13
Dow and Süd-Chemie to collaborate on syngas-to-chemicals project
Nippon Oil changes courses in its R&D for low-cost BTX production
Dow Chemical will partner with SüdChemie to develop, scale-up, and
Nippon Oil has made a decision to give up developing zeolite-catalyzed
3