Japanese catalyst industry spotlit

F O C U S restricted pot. Rather it is a division between the academics and industrialists, from science and engineering, who are seeking to work like ACENET, within a strategy defined and agreed by all stakeholders, and those old fashioned academic chemists who wish to continue to work unfettered by reference to real industrial needs. The competition for catalysis Networks of Excellence (NoEs) has been dominated by the latter group, who see only immediate funding and not the broader picture. The stated EC aim for NoEs was to direct and channel leading research centres towards integration into a virtual laboratory, with 10-20 centres being the ideal number for a network. At the time of writing the results of the final evaluation are not published, but it seems likely that it will favour oldfashioned thematic networks, collaborating by the traditional methods of e-mail, exchanges of staff, and holding meetings in nice places. As the leader of one of the putative catalysis NoEs said at a recent NICE meeting, the community should expect nothing from his network except an increase in scientific tourism. A major challenge for ACENET in building a European consensus and in establishing applied catalysis as a European priority is the academic perception that catalysis is a mature, unexciting research area – in the current parlance it is not “sexy”. It’s true that for all the advances in investigative instrumentation, computer modelling, and high throughput experimentation, it is 30 years since the last big academic ideas in catalysis (spillover, microporous solids) emerged. It’s also true that the promise which has somehow kept surface chemistry wealthy over the last 30 years, that defining the fundamental surface processes will inexorably and inevitably lead to design of better processes, has been revealed as at best a naïve oversimplification. The further truth is that applied catalysis research is hard pounding. Success in technology research requires not just better understanding of the chemistry of the catalytic system, or even the invention of new catalysts, but also the larger and more demanding ability to engineer robust catalysts, reactors,

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processes, fuel cells and the like from the fundamental advances, all impossible without detailed studies of each complex potential system. No-one reading this will doubt that catalytic technologies hold the key to the sustainable economy and high quality society we all desire for the 21st century and beyond. The practical work of developing these technologies must involve collaboration between industry and academics, biochemists, chemists, engineers, materials scientists. But for this practical work to succeed it must have priority for funding. The stakeholders and supporters of catalysis must find a fresh voice, and deliver their message in harmony. At the present moment, ACENET is the best instrument for orchestrating and broadcasting their voices. More information about ACENET can be obtained by e-mailing the author ([email protected]) or from the website www.acenet.net Guest editorial from Chris Adams, an independent consultant specialising in sustainability and the chemical industries. He is Director of the Institute of Applied Catalysis

compared to almost 5%/y for Z-N catalysts. Single-site catalysts are predicted to account for approximately 10% of the total US market for polymerization catalysts as compared to 4% in 2002. Chemical Engineering (New York), Aug 2003, 110 (8), 17

Packaging pushing metallocene films According to a study from Freedonia Group Inc, the market for metallocene and single-site polymers will increase by 20% /y to 4.8 bn lbs in 2006, when it will be worth $5 bn. Metallocene polymers are more versatile and are easier to produce than standard polymers. In 2006 metallocene and single-site polymers will account for 10% of the polyolefins market (compared with 5% in 2001). Demand from the film and sheet sector (especially packaging) will rise to 2.6 bn in 2006. Plastics News, 8 Sep 2003, 15 (28), 22 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com)

Japanese catalyst industry spotlit

MARKETS AND BUSINESS Catalysts (# 1706) An analysis of the $2.8 bn US catalysts industry, with historical data from 1992 and forecasts to 2007 and 2012. Petroleum refining will remain the largest single sector, although growth here will be somewhat below average. Enzyme-based catalysts and chiral and organometallic products will grow the fastest, whilst chemical- and zeolite-based products will show below-average growth. $3900. The Freedonia Group, Inc, 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326, USA. Tel: +1 440 684 9600. Fax: +1 440 646 0484. Website: www.freedoniagroup.com

Polymerization catalysts to rise Freedonia Group Inc of Cleveland, OH, published a study stating that the polymerization industry of the USA is predicted to rise by 5.7% to 1.1 bn through 2007 in the USA. Demand for single-site catalysts will rise by more than 25%/y through 2007 as

Demands for protection of the environment worldwide is resulting in increasing demand for catalysts. New regulations are being introduced which are raising demand for automotive and petroleum ultra-deep desulphurization catalysts in Japan. Market competition is increasing. In 2002, there was a 4% rise in output to 90,786 tonnes, with a 4% rise in deliveries to 91,011 tonnes. Strong demand for mini-vans has contributed to a 20% rise in demand for automotive catalysts. Demand for petrochemical and polymerization catalysts is slow, although a recovery is expected soon. Japan Chemical Week, 18 Sep 2003, 44 (2237), 8

Japanese catalyst business in 2002 A table from METI gives production, volume sales, and sales value for catalysts in Japan in 2002. Production of industrial catalysts remained level at 72,619 tonnes, with volume sales unchanged at 71,820 tonnes and sales value down 15% to Yen 80,447 M. A breakdown is given for petroleum refining, petrochemicals, polymerization, gas manufacturing,

NOVEMBER 2003