- Email: [email protected]
JM: preliminary results for the year ended 31 Mar 2009: Fine Chemicals & Catalysts
F O C U S Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dow plans to establish a multi-year, multi-million dollar joint research framework with KAUST. The framework will initially aim at using catalysis as a means to develop new routes for producing chemical derivatives. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000. Fax: +1 989 636 3518. Website: http://www.dow.com (15 Jun 2009)
Biogas: DSM acquires Biopract Dutch group DSM has signed an agreement to acquire German company Biopract (which specializes in developing and marketing Methaplus enzyme for making biogas for industry and agriculture) for an undisclosed sum. Methaplus enzymes increase production yield by 10-20% simply through being introduced into the process. There is no need for other modifications or investment. The acquisition of Biopract will establish DSM on the promising anaerobic fermentation biogas production market (which is growing by 1520%/y). Biopract employs 17 engineers, microbiologists, biotechnologists, and chemists. It operates mainly in Germany, the Benelux countries, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the UK. Biopract’s operations will be integrated into DSM’s Biogas Services (which develops biotechnology processes and enzymes and employs 11 people). Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 8 Jun 2009, (469), 7 (in French) & Chemical Week, 15 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
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JM: preliminary results for the year ended 31 Mar 2009 For its fiscal 2008-2009 (period ends 31 Mar 2009), Johnson Matthey Plc has reported revenue of £7848 M (£7499 M for its FY 2007-2008), sales (excluding precious metals) of £1797 M (£1750 M), profit before tax of £249.4 M (£262.3 M), total EPS of £0.826 (£0.885), and headcount of 8859 (10,398), of which: Environmental Technologies accounted for 4899 (5404), Precious Metals Products 1923 (1976), Fine Chemicals & Catalysts 1700 (1732), and Corporate & R&D 337 (326). There is discussion of the business and of the results. Johnson Matthey Preliminary Results FY 2008-2009, 4 Jun 2009, 1-2,27 (Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 20 7269 8400. Fax: +44 20 7269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com)
JM: preliminary results for the year ended 31 Mar 2009: Fine Chemicals & Catalysts For its fiscal 2008-2009 (period ends 31 Mar 2009), the Fine Chemicals & Catalysts business unit of Johnson Matthey Plc has reported revenue of £606 M (£521 M for its FY 20072008), sales (excluding precious metals) of £347 M (£303 M), operating profit of £72.8 M (£67.1 M), and headcount of 1700 (1732). There is detailed discussion of the business unit, including: Fine Chemicals, Catalysts & Chemicals (catalysts, capacity expansion in China), and Research Chemicals (operations in China, India, Europe). Johnson Matthey Preliminary Results FY 2008-2009, 4 Jun 2009, 12-14,27 (Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 20 7269 8400. Fax: +44 20 7269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com)
Evonic changes business route Evonik Degussa Corp’s ready-to-use catalyst plant of capacity 60,000 tonnes will now concentrate on biodiesel from natural oil like rapeseed or soyabean oil. The market for biodiesel in the USA is growing. Biodiesel is made from soyabean and is approved by EPA to use as an alternative fuel. It is environment friendly, biodegradable, gives low sulfur emissions, and is non-toxic. Chemical Engineering World, May 2009, 44 (5), 24
AUGUST 2009
NE Chemcat consolidates its R&D and production functions Chemical and catalyst producer NE Chemcat has taken measures to restructure its R&D and production in order to make the business more market-responsive and boost sales. The company consolidated its autoexhaust catalysts and chemical catalysts R&D under a new catalystdevelopment centre in Apr 2009, with the aim of accelerating and
streamlining its development and commercialization of new products. NE Chemcat concurrently combined the production-management functions of its business units, including surface-treatment chemicals, at its facilities in Numazu, Shizuoka, and Tsukuba, Ibaraki to improve productivity and reduce costs. Japan Chemical Web, 5 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
NE Chemcat focusing strategy on autoexhaust catalysts NE Chemcat’s strategy is to extend its business into auto-exhaust catalysts in response to stricter emission regulations in Japan. The firm will focus on boosting sales in compact and light vehicles, and construction machinery markets to develop them into new main business segments. As for NE Chemcat’s traditional dieselengine catalyst business, the firm aims to introduce a new catalyst that can comply with the requirements of the Post-New Long-Term Exhaust Emission Regulations in Japan. Japan Chemical Web, 18 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Novozymes wants more enzymes in washing products Novozymes’ new sales strategy aims to get the washing products industry to use more of its enzymes in its products in order to achieve ambitious sales growth targets. The sale of enzymes for washing powder is Novozymes’ biggest single business area, accounting for 31% of turnover. The new strategy is called Dream and will involve convincing the washing products industry that it will be profitable to replace polluting and carbon dioxide emission-related oiland chemical-based ingredients with a mixture of Novozymes’ enzymes. Novozymes will now sell its washing product enzymes, not individually as stain removers but as full package solutions in the knowledge that enzymes work better when several of them are used together. With enzymes the washing product industry will have more sustainable products and be less dependent on the price of oil. Dagbladet Borsen, 25 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
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Biogas: DSM acquires Biopract Dutch group DSM has signed an agreement to acquire German company Biopract (which specializes in developing and marketing Methaplus enzyme for making biogas for industry and agriculture) for an undisclosed sum. Methaplus enzymes increase production yield by 10-20% simply through being introduced into the process. There is no need for other modifications or investment. The acquisition of Biopract will establish DSM on the promising anaerobic fermentation biogas production market (which is growing by 1520%/y). Biopract employs 17 engineers, microbiologists, biotechnologists, and chemists. It operates mainly in Germany, the Benelux countries, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the UK. Biopract’s operations will be integrated into DSM’s Biogas Services (which develops biotechnology processes and enzymes and employs 11 people). Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 8 Jun 2009, (469), 7 (in French) & Chemical Week, 15 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
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C ATA LY S T S
JM: preliminary results for the year ended 31 Mar 2009 For its fiscal 2008-2009 (period ends 31 Mar 2009), Johnson Matthey Plc has reported revenue of £7848 M (£7499 M for its FY 2007-2008), sales (excluding precious metals) of £1797 M (£1750 M), profit before tax of £249.4 M (£262.3 M), total EPS of £0.826 (£0.885), and headcount of 8859 (10,398), of which: Environmental Technologies accounted for 4899 (5404), Precious Metals Products 1923 (1976), Fine Chemicals & Catalysts 1700 (1732), and Corporate & R&D 337 (326). There is discussion of the business and of the results. Johnson Matthey Preliminary Results FY 2008-2009, 4 Jun 2009, 1-2,27 (Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 20 7269 8400. Fax: +44 20 7269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com)
JM: preliminary results for the year ended 31 Mar 2009: Fine Chemicals & Catalysts For its fiscal 2008-2009 (period ends 31 Mar 2009), the Fine Chemicals & Catalysts business unit of Johnson Matthey Plc has reported revenue of £606 M (£521 M for its FY 20072008), sales (excluding precious metals) of £347 M (£303 M), operating profit of £72.8 M (£67.1 M), and headcount of 1700 (1732). There is detailed discussion of the business unit, including: Fine Chemicals, Catalysts & Chemicals (catalysts, capacity expansion in China), and Research Chemicals (operations in China, India, Europe). Johnson Matthey Preliminary Results FY 2008-2009, 4 Jun 2009, 12-14,27 (Johnson Matthey Plc, 40-42 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 20 7269 8400. Fax: +44 20 7269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com)
Evonic changes business route Evonik Degussa Corp’s ready-to-use catalyst plant of capacity 60,000 tonnes will now concentrate on biodiesel from natural oil like rapeseed or soyabean oil. The market for biodiesel in the USA is growing. Biodiesel is made from soyabean and is approved by EPA to use as an alternative fuel. It is environment friendly, biodegradable, gives low sulfur emissions, and is non-toxic. Chemical Engineering World, May 2009, 44 (5), 24
AUGUST 2009
NE Chemcat consolidates its R&D and production functions Chemical and catalyst producer NE Chemcat has taken measures to restructure its R&D and production in order to make the business more market-responsive and boost sales. The company consolidated its autoexhaust catalysts and chemical catalysts R&D under a new catalystdevelopment centre in Apr 2009, with the aim of accelerating and
streamlining its development and commercialization of new products. NE Chemcat concurrently combined the production-management functions of its business units, including surface-treatment chemicals, at its facilities in Numazu, Shizuoka, and Tsukuba, Ibaraki to improve productivity and reduce costs. Japan Chemical Web, 5 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
NE Chemcat focusing strategy on autoexhaust catalysts NE Chemcat’s strategy is to extend its business into auto-exhaust catalysts in response to stricter emission regulations in Japan. The firm will focus on boosting sales in compact and light vehicles, and construction machinery markets to develop them into new main business segments. As for NE Chemcat’s traditional dieselengine catalyst business, the firm aims to introduce a new catalyst that can comply with the requirements of the Post-New Long-Term Exhaust Emission Regulations in Japan. Japan Chemical Web, 18 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Novozymes wants more enzymes in washing products Novozymes’ new sales strategy aims to get the washing products industry to use more of its enzymes in its products in order to achieve ambitious sales growth targets. The sale of enzymes for washing powder is Novozymes’ biggest single business area, accounting for 31% of turnover. The new strategy is called Dream and will involve convincing the washing products industry that it will be profitable to replace polluting and carbon dioxide emission-related oiland chemical-based ingredients with a mixture of Novozymes’ enzymes. Novozymes will now sell its washing product enzymes, not individually as stain removers but as full package solutions in the knowledge that enzymes work better when several of them are used together. With enzymes the washing product industry will have more sustainable products and be less dependent on the price of oil. Dagbladet Borsen, 25 Jun 2009 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
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