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Materia and Sigma-Aldrich announce exclusive distribution deal for Grubbs' metathesis catalysts
FOCUS rare genetic disorders, renal disease, osteoarthritis and immune-mediated diseases, and includes an industryleading array of diagnostic products and services. Genzyme Corp 3Q and nine months of 2003 results, 15 Oct 2003 (Genzyme Corp, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Tel: +1 617 252 7500. Fax: +1 617 252 7600. Website: http://www.genzyme.com)
Hosakawa Micron to manufacture nanoparticles The morphology and composition of nanoparticles can be controlled by new technology developed by Hosokawa Micron. By the end of 2003, it is planning to be in commercial production of ultra-fine nanoparticulate ceria with particle diameters < 10 nanometre. It has established a production line with a capacity of 2 tonne/month. Initial applications will be within the information technology sector including chemical mechanical polishing materials for semiconductors. Other applications include purification catalysts for automotive exhaust gases. Sales of Yen 5 bn/y are forecast within three years. Technology for volume production of perovskite, ceria-zirconia, and other composite oxides is nearing completion with these materials being used in catalysts for the removal of nitrogen oxides and as fuel cell electrodes. Japan Chemical Week, 9 Oct 2003, 44 (2240), 4,44
HyRadix announces additional investment HyRadix Inc announced that CDP Capital – Technology Ventures and Süd-Chemie Inc has acquired UOP LLC’s ownership position in HyRadix. As a result of the deal, the company is funded well into the sales phase for industrial on-site hydrogen generators. HyRadix will continue to seek additional investors to fund further growth. The company will continue to licence key technology from UOP, from which it spun out in 2002. HyRadix is currently commissioning its Adeo hydrogen generator for a DOE and AQMD funded hydrogen refuelling station at the SunLine Transit Agency in Thousands Palms, CA. The company anticipates selling its first industrial on-site hydrogen generation systems following this
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demonstration of its product. HyRadix also continues the development and commercialisation programme for the Agilon stationary fuel processor with demonstration programmes in Japan and the US. In a DOE and PERC funded programme, the Agilon fuel processor has been integrated with a fuel cell from Plug Power and is in demonstration at a Texas testing facility. HyRadix, based in Des Plaines, IL, is dedicated to the development and commercialisation of hydrogen generation technology for fuel-cell, hydrogen-vehicle refuelling, and industrial applications. Press release from: HyRadix Inc, 175 West Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018-1834, USA. Tel: +1 847 391 1200. Fax: +1 847 391 2596. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.hyradix.com (15 Oct 2003)
JFC and Prokaria enter into strategic partnership on new enzymes for asymmetric reduction Jülch Fine Chemicals GmbH (JFC) and Prokaria ehf have announced the signing of a partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the partners will commence a screening and development programme for novel biocatalysts to synthesize chiral alcohols. These molecules are key components used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and hence play an important role in innovations in fine chemistry and pharma. The endeavour is well supported by the competence of the partners. While Prokaria plays a home match in identifying novel enzymes in the biosphere of arctic areas and hotsprings of Iceland, JFC is a well established production and marketing company in the fine chemistry industry. Prokaria ehf, established and based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is a leading company in sequence-based discovery and screening of natural diversity from extreme environments. Jülich Fine Chemicals GmbH’s product portfolio covers a series of speciality enzymes for organic synthesis. Their applications focus on enantioselective preparation of chiral compounds, primarily through the use of alcohol dehydrogenases. Press release from: Jülich Fine Chemicals GmbH, Rudolf-Schulten-Strabe 5, Jülich D-52428, Germany. Tel: +49 2461 980 400. Fax: +49 2461 980 410. Website: http://www.juelich-chemicals.de (16 Oct 2003) & European Chemical News, 27 Oct 2003, 79 (2074), 21
JFC and Wacker Specialties to collaborate on the development of chiral chemicals using biotechnology Work is centred around the conversion of biocatalytic ketones to chiral alcohols for drug synthesis. The two companies will also continue to develop and make chiral alcohols separately. Wacker has already started selling a chiral intermediate produced via the deal with Jülich. Wacker is also considering a substantial increase in production of its existing biotech products L-cysteine and cyclodextrin. The company had fine chemicals sales of €97 M in 2002, with biotech products accounting for €14 M. The aim is to double fine chemicals sales by around 2006. Chemical Week, 1 Oct 2003, 165 (35), 25
Korean companies in talks on single metathesis unit Kumho Petrochemical, LG Petrochemical and Yeochun NCC (YNCC) are considering the construction of a 240,000 tonne/y jv metathesis unit in Yeochun, South Korea. The unit would make use of YNCC’s surplus raffinate-2 and ethylene left over from the production of MTBE. Honam would use the extra propylene from the plant to expand its 325,000 tonne/y PP capacity. The metathesis plant would also be used to provide feedstocks for LG Petrochemlcals’ and Kumho’s phenol projects. Asian Chemical News, 6 Oct 2003, 9 (419), 37
Materia and Sigma-Aldrich announce exclusive distribution deal for Grubbs’ metathesis catalysts Materia Inc has granted SigmaAldrich exclusive distribution rights to research quantities of its Grubbs’ catalysts and Hoveyda-Grubbs’ catalysts. The agreement covers a period of 10 years. Materia cancelled other distributor agreements for the catalysts on 1 Jul 2003. PharmaChem, Sep 2003, 2 (9), 68 (B5 srl. Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 83241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Website: www.b5srl.com.)
DECEMBER 2003
Hosakawa Micron to manufacture nanoparticles The morphology and composition of nanoparticles can be controlled by new technology developed by Hosokawa Micron. By the end of 2003, it is planning to be in commercial production of ultra-fine nanoparticulate ceria with particle diameters < 10 nanometre. It has established a production line with a capacity of 2 tonne/month. Initial applications will be within the information technology sector including chemical mechanical polishing materials for semiconductors. Other applications include purification catalysts for automotive exhaust gases. Sales of Yen 5 bn/y are forecast within three years. Technology for volume production of perovskite, ceria-zirconia, and other composite oxides is nearing completion with these materials being used in catalysts for the removal of nitrogen oxides and as fuel cell electrodes. Japan Chemical Week, 9 Oct 2003, 44 (2240), 4,44
HyRadix announces additional investment HyRadix Inc announced that CDP Capital – Technology Ventures and Süd-Chemie Inc has acquired UOP LLC’s ownership position in HyRadix. As a result of the deal, the company is funded well into the sales phase for industrial on-site hydrogen generators. HyRadix will continue to seek additional investors to fund further growth. The company will continue to licence key technology from UOP, from which it spun out in 2002. HyRadix is currently commissioning its Adeo hydrogen generator for a DOE and AQMD funded hydrogen refuelling station at the SunLine Transit Agency in Thousands Palms, CA. The company anticipates selling its first industrial on-site hydrogen generation systems following this
4
ON
C ATA LY S T S
demonstration of its product. HyRadix also continues the development and commercialisation programme for the Agilon stationary fuel processor with demonstration programmes in Japan and the US. In a DOE and PERC funded programme, the Agilon fuel processor has been integrated with a fuel cell from Plug Power and is in demonstration at a Texas testing facility. HyRadix, based in Des Plaines, IL, is dedicated to the development and commercialisation of hydrogen generation technology for fuel-cell, hydrogen-vehicle refuelling, and industrial applications. Press release from: HyRadix Inc, 175 West Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018-1834, USA. Tel: +1 847 391 1200. Fax: +1 847 391 2596. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.hyradix.com (15 Oct 2003)
JFC and Prokaria enter into strategic partnership on new enzymes for asymmetric reduction Jülch Fine Chemicals GmbH (JFC) and Prokaria ehf have announced the signing of a partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the partners will commence a screening and development programme for novel biocatalysts to synthesize chiral alcohols. These molecules are key components used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and hence play an important role in innovations in fine chemistry and pharma. The endeavour is well supported by the competence of the partners. While Prokaria plays a home match in identifying novel enzymes in the biosphere of arctic areas and hotsprings of Iceland, JFC is a well established production and marketing company in the fine chemistry industry. Prokaria ehf, established and based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is a leading company in sequence-based discovery and screening of natural diversity from extreme environments. Jülich Fine Chemicals GmbH’s product portfolio covers a series of speciality enzymes for organic synthesis. Their applications focus on enantioselective preparation of chiral compounds, primarily through the use of alcohol dehydrogenases. Press release from: Jülich Fine Chemicals GmbH, Rudolf-Schulten-Strabe 5, Jülich D-52428, Germany. Tel: +49 2461 980 400. Fax: +49 2461 980 410. Website: http://www.juelich-chemicals.de (16 Oct 2003) & European Chemical News, 27 Oct 2003, 79 (2074), 21
JFC and Wacker Specialties to collaborate on the development of chiral chemicals using biotechnology Work is centred around the conversion of biocatalytic ketones to chiral alcohols for drug synthesis. The two companies will also continue to develop and make chiral alcohols separately. Wacker has already started selling a chiral intermediate produced via the deal with Jülich. Wacker is also considering a substantial increase in production of its existing biotech products L-cysteine and cyclodextrin. The company had fine chemicals sales of €97 M in 2002, with biotech products accounting for €14 M. The aim is to double fine chemicals sales by around 2006. Chemical Week, 1 Oct 2003, 165 (35), 25
Korean companies in talks on single metathesis unit Kumho Petrochemical, LG Petrochemical and Yeochun NCC (YNCC) are considering the construction of a 240,000 tonne/y jv metathesis unit in Yeochun, South Korea. The unit would make use of YNCC’s surplus raffinate-2 and ethylene left over from the production of MTBE. Honam would use the extra propylene from the plant to expand its 325,000 tonne/y PP capacity. The metathesis plant would also be used to provide feedstocks for LG Petrochemlcals’ and Kumho’s phenol projects. Asian Chemical News, 6 Oct 2003, 9 (419), 37
Materia and Sigma-Aldrich announce exclusive distribution deal for Grubbs’ metathesis catalysts Materia Inc has granted SigmaAldrich exclusive distribution rights to research quantities of its Grubbs’ catalysts and Hoveyda-Grubbs’ catalysts. The agreement covers a period of 10 years. Materia cancelled other distributor agreements for the catalysts on 1 Jul 2003. PharmaChem, Sep 2003, 2 (9), 68 (B5 srl. Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 83241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Website: www.b5srl.com.)
DECEMBER 2003