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Haldor Topsoe licenses methanol technology to China
FOCUS
ON
C ATA LY S T S
2005, production and shipments are forecast to exceed 100,000 tonne/y.
nickel is priced at about $17,360/tonne ($0.54/ounce).
Japan Chemical Week, 26 May 2005, 46 (2319), 2
Chemical Market Reporter, 16 May 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Haldor Topsoe licenses methanol technology to China Two contracts have been signed by Haldor Topsoe with Chinese partners concerning the transfer of methanol synthesis technology used in the construction of two methanol units. The contracts include the provision of related technology, engineering service, catalyst, and equipment. One project is a 1000 tonne/day methanol plant in Qinghai Germu Refinery which uses the natural gas steam reforming process. The refinery already has a 300 tonne/day methanol plant and the new plant will begin operating in 2006. The other project is Henan Puyang Zhongyuan Dahua Group Corp’s 1500 tonne/day methanol plant. A new coal gasification unit, which will start construction in mid-2007, will supply the syngas. China Chemical Reporter, 16 May 2005, 16 (14), 7
Auto catalyst market shifting gears Although demand for automotive catalysts is increasing rapidly, the emergence of reduced-platinum catalysts and catalysts based on other, cheaper metals will negatively impact demand for platinum in the longer term. Currently demand for platinum-based catalysts for diesel fuel vehicles is increasing. In 2004, Johnson Matthey reported platinum sales for autocatalysts manufacture of 3.43 M ounces (+7% on 2003). Corning Inc forecasts a diesel filter and catalyst market of $1 bn/y by 2008. In May 2005, platinum was priced at $879/ounce compared to alternative catalyst material palladium at $194/ounce. Engelhard Corp has developed an automotive catalyst where about one third of the platinum content has been replaced by palladium. The use of platinum in fuel cells could be negatively impacted by the development of iron/sulfur catalysts by the John Innes Centre in the UK and by a catalyst based on nickel nanospheres developed by US company QuantumSphere. The latter would offer massive cost savings as
2
Demand for metallocene and singlesite polymers The demand for metallocene and single-site polymers in the USA is projected to grow more than 20%/y to 5.1 bn lbs in 2009. However, the growth will be limited by high costs of metallocene and co-catalyst and the emergence of more competitive Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, according to a study from The Freedonia Group Inc. The market will continue to be dominated by linear low-density polyethylene, although more rapid growth is expected for much smaller polypropylene, highdensity polyethylene plastics and elastomers such as thermoplastic olefins. Based on LLDPE’s significance in diverse packaging, construction, and other uses, the leading application will still be film and sheet. Metallocene film and sheet demand will increase through 2009 to total 2.8 bn lbs. Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2005, 84 (5), 7
Research alliance targets oxidation catalyst for adipic acid production A research alliance, called the High Efficiency Oxidation Catalysts Research Alliance, has been established by Mitsubishi Chemical, Maruzen Petrochemical, and Daicel Chemical Industry to develop environmentally friendly chemical process technologies. The main research focus is adipic acid, ketones, and aromatic carboxylic acids. One of the catalyst targets is N-hydroxyphthalimide. Japan Chemical Week, 12 May 2005, 46 (2317), 1
Biotechnology: the future is white Within the next 10-20 years, a fivefold increase in the value of biotechnological production methods for fine chemicals is expected by Dechema through the use of enzymes. There have been a number of instances where lower production costs have been achieved through the introduction of biotechnology,
including vitamin B2 and the treatment of cotton textiles. Around 2% of the turnover in the chemical sector in 2001 came from sales of products manufactured using biotechnological techniques, which amounted to €33 bn. Ten years previously, such sales amounted to €9.6 bn. By 2010, sales are expected to show a four-fold increase to 20% of overall chemical sector sales. Among European companies already benefiting from sales of white biotechnology products are Degussa with L-tert-leucine, an amino acid produced using enzymes; BASF using a fungus-based fermentation process for the production of vitamin B2 and holding 25% of the global market; BASF and Ruetgers making optically active substances using enzymes; and Wacker-Chemie producing Lcysteine using a bacteria colony and using enzymes for the production of cyclodextrins. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 24-25
COMPANY NEWS Akzo Nobel 1Q 2005: Chemicals – strong performance improvement continued For its 1Q 2005, the Chemicals segment of Akzo Nobel NV has reported turnover of €957 M (€913 M for its 1Q 2004), operating income of €97 M (€85 M), EBITDA of €157 M (€145 M), capital expenditure of €62 M (€41 M), and headcount of 11,760 (11,890). There is a detailed analysis/discussion of the business and the results. Akzo Nobel 1Q Report 2005, 19 Apr 2005, 12-13 (Akzo Nobel NV, Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 366 4343. Fax: +31 26 366 4940. Website: http://www.akzonobel.com)
Albemarle: 1Q results Albemarle had record sales in 1Q 2005 of $510 M and net income of $24.3 M. Catalysts were the top performer with sales up 86% at $172.8 M. Polymer additives were up $25.4 M at $198.1 M, fine chemicals were up $12.6 M at $139 M. The
JULY 2005
ON
C ATA LY S T S
2005, production and shipments are forecast to exceed 100,000 tonne/y.
nickel is priced at about $17,360/tonne ($0.54/ounce).
Japan Chemical Week, 26 May 2005, 46 (2319), 2
Chemical Market Reporter, 16 May 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Haldor Topsoe licenses methanol technology to China Two contracts have been signed by Haldor Topsoe with Chinese partners concerning the transfer of methanol synthesis technology used in the construction of two methanol units. The contracts include the provision of related technology, engineering service, catalyst, and equipment. One project is a 1000 tonne/day methanol plant in Qinghai Germu Refinery which uses the natural gas steam reforming process. The refinery already has a 300 tonne/day methanol plant and the new plant will begin operating in 2006. The other project is Henan Puyang Zhongyuan Dahua Group Corp’s 1500 tonne/day methanol plant. A new coal gasification unit, which will start construction in mid-2007, will supply the syngas. China Chemical Reporter, 16 May 2005, 16 (14), 7
Auto catalyst market shifting gears Although demand for automotive catalysts is increasing rapidly, the emergence of reduced-platinum catalysts and catalysts based on other, cheaper metals will negatively impact demand for platinum in the longer term. Currently demand for platinum-based catalysts for diesel fuel vehicles is increasing. In 2004, Johnson Matthey reported platinum sales for autocatalysts manufacture of 3.43 M ounces (+7% on 2003). Corning Inc forecasts a diesel filter and catalyst market of $1 bn/y by 2008. In May 2005, platinum was priced at $879/ounce compared to alternative catalyst material palladium at $194/ounce. Engelhard Corp has developed an automotive catalyst where about one third of the platinum content has been replaced by palladium. The use of platinum in fuel cells could be negatively impacted by the development of iron/sulfur catalysts by the John Innes Centre in the UK and by a catalyst based on nickel nanospheres developed by US company QuantumSphere. The latter would offer massive cost savings as
2
Demand for metallocene and singlesite polymers The demand for metallocene and single-site polymers in the USA is projected to grow more than 20%/y to 5.1 bn lbs in 2009. However, the growth will be limited by high costs of metallocene and co-catalyst and the emergence of more competitive Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, according to a study from The Freedonia Group Inc. The market will continue to be dominated by linear low-density polyethylene, although more rapid growth is expected for much smaller polypropylene, highdensity polyethylene plastics and elastomers such as thermoplastic olefins. Based on LLDPE’s significance in diverse packaging, construction, and other uses, the leading application will still be film and sheet. Metallocene film and sheet demand will increase through 2009 to total 2.8 bn lbs. Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2005, 84 (5), 7
Research alliance targets oxidation catalyst for adipic acid production A research alliance, called the High Efficiency Oxidation Catalysts Research Alliance, has been established by Mitsubishi Chemical, Maruzen Petrochemical, and Daicel Chemical Industry to develop environmentally friendly chemical process technologies. The main research focus is adipic acid, ketones, and aromatic carboxylic acids. One of the catalyst targets is N-hydroxyphthalimide. Japan Chemical Week, 12 May 2005, 46 (2317), 1
Biotechnology: the future is white Within the next 10-20 years, a fivefold increase in the value of biotechnological production methods for fine chemicals is expected by Dechema through the use of enzymes. There have been a number of instances where lower production costs have been achieved through the introduction of biotechnology,
including vitamin B2 and the treatment of cotton textiles. Around 2% of the turnover in the chemical sector in 2001 came from sales of products manufactured using biotechnological techniques, which amounted to €33 bn. Ten years previously, such sales amounted to €9.6 bn. By 2010, sales are expected to show a four-fold increase to 20% of overall chemical sector sales. Among European companies already benefiting from sales of white biotechnology products are Degussa with L-tert-leucine, an amino acid produced using enzymes; BASF using a fungus-based fermentation process for the production of vitamin B2 and holding 25% of the global market; BASF and Ruetgers making optically active substances using enzymes; and Wacker-Chemie producing Lcysteine using a bacteria colony and using enzymes for the production of cyclodextrins. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 24-25
COMPANY NEWS Akzo Nobel 1Q 2005: Chemicals – strong performance improvement continued For its 1Q 2005, the Chemicals segment of Akzo Nobel NV has reported turnover of €957 M (€913 M for its 1Q 2004), operating income of €97 M (€85 M), EBITDA of €157 M (€145 M), capital expenditure of €62 M (€41 M), and headcount of 11,760 (11,890). There is a detailed analysis/discussion of the business and the results. Akzo Nobel 1Q Report 2005, 19 Apr 2005, 12-13 (Akzo Nobel NV, Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 366 4343. Fax: +31 26 366 4940. Website: http://www.akzonobel.com)
Albemarle: 1Q results Albemarle had record sales in 1Q 2005 of $510 M and net income of $24.3 M. Catalysts were the top performer with sales up 86% at $172.8 M. Polymer additives were up $25.4 M at $198.1 M, fine chemicals were up $12.6 M at $139 M. The
JULY 2005