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German biotech industry hoping for greater acceptance
FOCUS products from renewable raw materials using economic processes, while at the same time reducing energy and disposal costs. Germany has around 40% of Europe’s small and medium-sized European companies that are active in industrial biotechnology. The market value of products manufactured using industry biotechnology is put at €50-60 bn. Production of biomaterials, biochemicals, and biofuels is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. The global market in industrial biotechnology is expected to grow to around €300 bn by 2030. Innovative technology can be used for industrial applications if the production costs of biotechnological methods are competitive with those of established ones. Biotechnology also makes possible new processes that are not achievable with the usual methods. With biocatalysts in particular, the aim is to achieve processes that are more selective and give higher yields than chemical catalysts. In the field of plastics, around 5-10% of the current market can be met by existing biobased plastics. At 350,000 tonne/y, available production capacity is only a fraction of global plastics production of 250 M tonnes. There is big growth potential put at 10-20%/y to 2020. Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 18 May 2010 (Website: http://www.nfa-online.de) (in German)
German biotech industry hoping for greater acceptance The German biotech industry is experiencing a following wind in a sector that had earlier largely been blocked for political reasons. That sector is plant biotech. The German biotech industry association (DIB) sees the fact that Germany’s research ministry (BMBF) has set up a bioeconomy research and technology council as an important sign. All industrial and other economic sectors that produce, process, or use biological resources in a different form – this means in particular the agriculture and food industries and the production of renewable raw materials – are being brought together under this description. The German government is thus showing its willingness to promote biotech more. In order to expand the bioeconomy, there must be a willingness to develop
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biomass faster than previously, says the head of the DIB. This again is where biotech comes in: biotech is very suited for the supply of innovations for sustainable food production, for alternative fuels, and for bio-based raw materials. The commercial use of plant biotech has been blocked almost completely in Europe because politicians assume the population will not accept it. But even here there is movement, as shown by approval of BASF’s Amflora potato. Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 21 May 2010, (97), 30 (in German)
Advanced enzymes reduce production costs Novozymes, Genencor, and Verenium have recently unveiled improved versions of their enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production. The new grades are claimed to result in higher production yields at a lower cost. Novozymes’ Cellic CTec2, which was launched in Feb 2010, is compatible with various feedstock types, including corn cobs and stalks, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips. When combined with HTec2, the use of CTec2 cuts enzyme costs per gallon of ethanol to $0.50. Also in Feb 2010, Genencor introduced Accellerase Duet, an extension of the Accellerase 1500 enzyme. With its whole-broth formulation, Accellerase Duet can reduce biofuel enzyme dosing three-fold. Xylathin is the new enzyme from Verenium. Xylathin is claimed to considerably reduce mash viscosity as well as cut grain water retention and enzyme dosage. Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle reports record quarterly operating results Albemarle Corp reported 1Q ended Mar 2010 earnings of $63.3 M or 69 cts/share (earnings of $25.4 M or 28 cts/share in 1Q ended Mar 2009). Net sales in 1Q 2010 totalled $580.3 M ($486.6 M in 2009). Polymer
Solutions delivered net sales for 1Q 2010 of $216.7 M, a 76% increase versus 1Q 2009 due primarily to improved volumes in both its fire safety and stabilizers and curatives businesses. Polymer Solutions segment income for 1Q 2010 was a record $41.8 M (loss of $11.7 M in 1Q 2009). Catalysts generated net sales for 1Q 2010 of $227.7 M, a decrease of 6% versus 1Q product pricing and mix. Fine Chemicals net sales in 1Q 2010 were $136 M, a 13% increase versus 1Q 2009, due primarily to increased volumes in company’s performance chemicals business offset by lower volumes in fine chemistry services. R&D expenses were $14.71 M in 1Q 2010 ($16.14 M in 1Q 2009). Albemarle results 1Q 2010, 26 Apr 2010 (Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com)
Bayer, RWE Power, and RWTH Aachen to develop plastics from CO2 Researchers from Bayer MaterialScience and Bayer Technology Services are working together with RWE Power AG and academic partner RWTH Aachen University on the sustainable use of CO2. At the heart of what has been called the “Dream Production” project, sits the construction and commissioning of a pilot plant at Chempark Leverkusen. This is to be the location for the kilogram-scale production of polyether polycarbonate polyols (PPPs) that will be processed into polyurethanes and will involve the chemical bonding of CO2, which will be an integral raw material in this sustainable process. Press release from: Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214301. Fax: +49 214 305 8923. Website: http://www.bayer.com (7 Jun 2010)
Braskem, Novozymes sign research partnership Braskem is working with Novozymes to develop large-scale production of sugarcane-derived polypropylene, under a research partnership. The two firms will develop a green alternative using Novozymes’ core fermentation process and Braskem’s chemical technology and thermoplastics knowhow. Braskem is currently constructing a 2000 ton/y polyethylene unit in
JULY 2010
German biotech industry hoping for greater acceptance The German biotech industry is experiencing a following wind in a sector that had earlier largely been blocked for political reasons. That sector is plant biotech. The German biotech industry association (DIB) sees the fact that Germany’s research ministry (BMBF) has set up a bioeconomy research and technology council as an important sign. All industrial and other economic sectors that produce, process, or use biological resources in a different form – this means in particular the agriculture and food industries and the production of renewable raw materials – are being brought together under this description. The German government is thus showing its willingness to promote biotech more. In order to expand the bioeconomy, there must be a willingness to develop
2
ON
C ATA LY S T S
biomass faster than previously, says the head of the DIB. This again is where biotech comes in: biotech is very suited for the supply of innovations for sustainable food production, for alternative fuels, and for bio-based raw materials. The commercial use of plant biotech has been blocked almost completely in Europe because politicians assume the population will not accept it. But even here there is movement, as shown by approval of BASF’s Amflora potato. Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 21 May 2010, (97), 30 (in German)
Advanced enzymes reduce production costs Novozymes, Genencor, and Verenium have recently unveiled improved versions of their enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production. The new grades are claimed to result in higher production yields at a lower cost. Novozymes’ Cellic CTec2, which was launched in Feb 2010, is compatible with various feedstock types, including corn cobs and stalks, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips. When combined with HTec2, the use of CTec2 cuts enzyme costs per gallon of ethanol to $0.50. Also in Feb 2010, Genencor introduced Accellerase Duet, an extension of the Accellerase 1500 enzyme. With its whole-broth formulation, Accellerase Duet can reduce biofuel enzyme dosing three-fold. Xylathin is the new enzyme from Verenium. Xylathin is claimed to considerably reduce mash viscosity as well as cut grain water retention and enzyme dosage. Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle reports record quarterly operating results Albemarle Corp reported 1Q ended Mar 2010 earnings of $63.3 M or 69 cts/share (earnings of $25.4 M or 28 cts/share in 1Q ended Mar 2009). Net sales in 1Q 2010 totalled $580.3 M ($486.6 M in 2009). Polymer
Solutions delivered net sales for 1Q 2010 of $216.7 M, a 76% increase versus 1Q 2009 due primarily to improved volumes in both its fire safety and stabilizers and curatives businesses. Polymer Solutions segment income for 1Q 2010 was a record $41.8 M (loss of $11.7 M in 1Q 2009). Catalysts generated net sales for 1Q 2010 of $227.7 M, a decrease of 6% versus 1Q product pricing and mix. Fine Chemicals net sales in 1Q 2010 were $136 M, a 13% increase versus 1Q 2009, due primarily to increased volumes in company’s performance chemicals business offset by lower volumes in fine chemistry services. R&D expenses were $14.71 M in 1Q 2010 ($16.14 M in 1Q 2009). Albemarle results 1Q 2010, 26 Apr 2010 (Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com)
Bayer, RWE Power, and RWTH Aachen to develop plastics from CO2 Researchers from Bayer MaterialScience and Bayer Technology Services are working together with RWE Power AG and academic partner RWTH Aachen University on the sustainable use of CO2. At the heart of what has been called the “Dream Production” project, sits the construction and commissioning of a pilot plant at Chempark Leverkusen. This is to be the location for the kilogram-scale production of polyether polycarbonate polyols (PPPs) that will be processed into polyurethanes and will involve the chemical bonding of CO2, which will be an integral raw material in this sustainable process. Press release from: Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214301. Fax: +49 214 305 8923. Website: http://www.bayer.com (7 Jun 2010)
Braskem, Novozymes sign research partnership Braskem is working with Novozymes to develop large-scale production of sugarcane-derived polypropylene, under a research partnership. The two firms will develop a green alternative using Novozymes’ core fermentation process and Braskem’s chemical technology and thermoplastics knowhow. Braskem is currently constructing a 2000 ton/y polyethylene unit in
JULY 2010