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Ineos expands silicas capacity
F O C U S Mitsui Chemicals starts PP process innovation A discussion of the R&D program, regarding polyolefins, of Mitsui Chemicals, covering: PP manufacturing process, new postmetallocene catalysts (phenoxyimine catalysts), and internal reorganisation for new product developments. Japan Chemical Week, 20 May 2004, 45 (2270), 4
Nanostellar developing nano catalysts to reduce pgm usage Nanostellar Inc is developing highly efficient Nano Catalysts to significantly reduce pgms required in conventional catalytic processes. This patent-pending Clean Energy technology uses proprietary quantum chemistry simulation and synthesis processes that replace pgms with other, less costly materials to create nanoparticles that deliver a 30% to 70% catalyst cost reduction. Nanostellar’s Nano Catalysts will increase the efficiency of automobile catalytic converters and dramatically reduce their cost. Other products will address the hydrogen fuel cell, solar power, and battery markets. Global industrialisation requires rapid development of clean energy in order to preserve environment. And global catalyst markets are huge – pgms are $10–12 bn/y. The automobile catalyst market alone is $5–7 bn. Nanostellar Inc is a Menlo Park-based company focused on Enabling Clean Energy and Clean Air with Nano Catalysts.
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claimed to increase PE throughput and minimise usage of additives and co-monomers. High Performance Plastics, May 2004, 6 & Plastiques et Elastomères Magazine, May 2004, 56 (4), 52 (in French)
Nova, BP and Grace in PE catalyst deal Nova Chemicals Corp and BP Petrochemicals have formed a supply agreement with the polyolefin catalyst business of Grace Davison for making Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The catalysts, offered under the brand name Novacat T, are used for gas-phase production of PE. They are available worldwide from both BP’s Innovene licensing business and Nova Chemicals. Novacat T catalysts are
JULY 2004
Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 25 May 2004, 22 (100), 14 (in German)
Rising oil prices an advantage for Novozymes Novozymes, Denmark, expects that the strong rise in oil prices to their highest level in more than 13 years will present it with an advantage. The company manufactures enzymes which are used to produce ethanol from plant residues. The ethanol is used as an environmentally friendly petrol additive in place of MTBE. In the US a package of measures was recently brought before the Senate which includes a subsidy for the production of ethanol. Net Posten, 14 May 2004 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
RAG aims to control Degussa RAG’s aim to acquire 50.1% of the speciality chemicals producer Degussa is on target for 31 May 2004. The strategy is in line with RAG’s future plans to base 50% of its sales on chemicals. RAG intends to continue supporting value added product development at Degussa. Currently E.on and RAG each hold a 46.5% stake in Degussa. RAG is acquiring Degussa shares in exchange for its sale of its 18% stake in Ruhrgas to E.on. In 2003, RAG posted a loss of €60 M. European Chemical News, 24 May 2004, 80 (2101), 6
Press release from Nanostellar Inc, 3603, Haven Avenue, Suite A, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. Tel: +1 650 368 1010. Fax: +1 650 368 1101. Website: http://www.Nanostellar.com) (17 May 2004)
€763 M. With adjustments for currency effects, sales would have been €50 M higher. EBIT was up 11% at €44.6 M and net profits up 44% at €15 M.
Süd-Chemie continues its success in niche areas Süd-Chemie expects double-digit growth in sales and profits in the current year. The company’s savings programme as well as a slight upturn in demand will contribute. Consolidation of SKw Metallurgie alone will lift sales by around €50 M. This will be on top of anticipated organic growth of 2%. The company sees itself well-positioned with its two main divisions of catalysts and adsorbents. It does need a third pillar. It will grow mainly via its own resources, though acquisitions are not ruled out. Sales rose 1% in 2003 to
NEW PLANTS Ineos expands silicas capacity Ineos Silica will invest in capacity expansion projects to supply the growing markets for silica gels and polyolefin catalysts. The company will increase the capacity of its major products in the coatings, plastics, and beverage markets by 20% in its Joliet, IL, and Warrington, UK, facilities. Start-up will begin in the 4Q 2004 with increased capacity scheduled in 2005. The company is set to begin the first phase of a major investment in polyolefin catalyst manufacturing capacity in its Warrington plant. Silicabased, chromium-coated catalysts capacity is expected to increase by 30%. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, May 2004, 41 (5), 157
JM opens catalyst plant in India Johnson Matthey plc has commissioned a $5.5 M precious metals process catalyst plant in Maharashtra, India, to supply the drugs industry. Chemical Market Reporter, 17 May 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 17 May 2004, (256), 8 (in French)
Valero grants engineering contract to CB&I Matrix Valero has delegated CB&I Matrix to provide engineering and construction services for a new 60,000 bbl/day gasoline desulfurization unit, which will use catalytic distillation technology to reduce the sulfur content of naphtha feedstock. The $60 M unit will be located at Valero’s 185,000 bbl/day refinery in St Charles, LA. Included in the contract are design, fabrication, and installation of the entire process unit. Sulphur, May/Jun 2004, (292), 8
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Nanostellar developing nano catalysts to reduce pgm usage Nanostellar Inc is developing highly efficient Nano Catalysts to significantly reduce pgms required in conventional catalytic processes. This patent-pending Clean Energy technology uses proprietary quantum chemistry simulation and synthesis processes that replace pgms with other, less costly materials to create nanoparticles that deliver a 30% to 70% catalyst cost reduction. Nanostellar’s Nano Catalysts will increase the efficiency of automobile catalytic converters and dramatically reduce their cost. Other products will address the hydrogen fuel cell, solar power, and battery markets. Global industrialisation requires rapid development of clean energy in order to preserve environment. And global catalyst markets are huge – pgms are $10–12 bn/y. The automobile catalyst market alone is $5–7 bn. Nanostellar Inc is a Menlo Park-based company focused on Enabling Clean Energy and Clean Air with Nano Catalysts.
O N
C ATA LY S T S
claimed to increase PE throughput and minimise usage of additives and co-monomers. High Performance Plastics, May 2004, 6 & Plastiques et Elastomères Magazine, May 2004, 56 (4), 52 (in French)
Nova, BP and Grace in PE catalyst deal Nova Chemicals Corp and BP Petrochemicals have formed a supply agreement with the polyolefin catalyst business of Grace Davison for making Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The catalysts, offered under the brand name Novacat T, are used for gas-phase production of PE. They are available worldwide from both BP’s Innovene licensing business and Nova Chemicals. Novacat T catalysts are
JULY 2004
Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 25 May 2004, 22 (100), 14 (in German)
Rising oil prices an advantage for Novozymes Novozymes, Denmark, expects that the strong rise in oil prices to their highest level in more than 13 years will present it with an advantage. The company manufactures enzymes which are used to produce ethanol from plant residues. The ethanol is used as an environmentally friendly petrol additive in place of MTBE. In the US a package of measures was recently brought before the Senate which includes a subsidy for the production of ethanol. Net Posten, 14 May 2004 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
RAG aims to control Degussa RAG’s aim to acquire 50.1% of the speciality chemicals producer Degussa is on target for 31 May 2004. The strategy is in line with RAG’s future plans to base 50% of its sales on chemicals. RAG intends to continue supporting value added product development at Degussa. Currently E.on and RAG each hold a 46.5% stake in Degussa. RAG is acquiring Degussa shares in exchange for its sale of its 18% stake in Ruhrgas to E.on. In 2003, RAG posted a loss of €60 M. European Chemical News, 24 May 2004, 80 (2101), 6
Press release from Nanostellar Inc, 3603, Haven Avenue, Suite A, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. Tel: +1 650 368 1010. Fax: +1 650 368 1101. Website: http://www.Nanostellar.com) (17 May 2004)
€763 M. With adjustments for currency effects, sales would have been €50 M higher. EBIT was up 11% at €44.6 M and net profits up 44% at €15 M.
Süd-Chemie continues its success in niche areas Süd-Chemie expects double-digit growth in sales and profits in the current year. The company’s savings programme as well as a slight upturn in demand will contribute. Consolidation of SKw Metallurgie alone will lift sales by around €50 M. This will be on top of anticipated organic growth of 2%. The company sees itself well-positioned with its two main divisions of catalysts and adsorbents. It does need a third pillar. It will grow mainly via its own resources, though acquisitions are not ruled out. Sales rose 1% in 2003 to
NEW PLANTS Ineos expands silicas capacity Ineos Silica will invest in capacity expansion projects to supply the growing markets for silica gels and polyolefin catalysts. The company will increase the capacity of its major products in the coatings, plastics, and beverage markets by 20% in its Joliet, IL, and Warrington, UK, facilities. Start-up will begin in the 4Q 2004 with increased capacity scheduled in 2005. The company is set to begin the first phase of a major investment in polyolefin catalyst manufacturing capacity in its Warrington plant. Silicabased, chromium-coated catalysts capacity is expected to increase by 30%. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, May 2004, 41 (5), 157
JM opens catalyst plant in India Johnson Matthey plc has commissioned a $5.5 M precious metals process catalyst plant in Maharashtra, India, to supply the drugs industry. Chemical Market Reporter, 17 May 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 17 May 2004, (256), 8 (in French)
Valero grants engineering contract to CB&I Matrix Valero has delegated CB&I Matrix to provide engineering and construction services for a new 60,000 bbl/day gasoline desulfurization unit, which will use catalytic distillation technology to reduce the sulfur content of naphtha feedstock. The $60 M unit will be located at Valero’s 185,000 bbl/day refinery in St Charles, LA. Included in the contract are design, fabrication, and installation of the entire process unit. Sulphur, May/Jun 2004, (292), 8
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