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Novolen and Celanese to develop PP catalysts
F O C U S chemical catalysts, were up 12.1% compared with 3Q 2001 (8.2% excluding currency translation impacts). This increase primarily reflected demand for refining catalysts to meet higher gasoline production and other refinery requirements, as well as revenue from 2002 acquisitions to complement polyolefin and hydroprocessing catalyst product offerings. Grace 3Q Financial Results 2002, 23 Oct 2002, 2-3 (WR Grace & Co, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044, USA. Website: http://www.grace.com)
ISP enters biotech arena with BioCatalytics International Specialty Products Inc is entering the biotech sector with a newly-established formed alliance with BioCatalytics Inc, a technology and services provider for the application of enzymes. The two companies will produce beta-amino acids. The alliance brings together BioCatalytics’ know-how in enzymebased research with ISP’s experience in the development and scale-up of pharmaceutical intermediates and bulk actives. The companies can provide support from lab-scale process development through to fullscale production. Chemical Market Reporter, 14 Oct 2002 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
JM’s purchase of Synetix cleared in Germany The Bundeskartellamt in Germany has approved Johnson Matthey’s acquisition of ICI’s Synetix division. This will allow the main part of the Synetix sale to go ahead. The acquisition of those parts of Synetix that are owned by ICI India will require the approval of ICI India’s shareholders. European Chemical News, 21 Oct 2002, 77 (2026), 6 & Press release from: Johnson Matthey plc, 2-4 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1Y 5BQ, UK. Tel: +44 207 269 8400. Fax: +44 207 269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com. 14 Oct 2002
JM: autocatalysts, heavy duty diesel, fuel cells Johnson Matthey is the world number 1 in the field of autocatalysts with 95% of this market to be found in transport vehicles and the remainder in stationary plant. The company uses
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catalysts such as rhodium and platinum for emission control in cars, trucks, and other vehicles using diesel or petroleum. Its market is reflected in the table of forecasts for cars and trucks between 2001 and 2007. A small decline in 2001-2002 is seen with a 1.8% improvement in 2003 and a 3% peak growth for 2004. Thereafter the market is forecast to be flat. Johnson Matthey’s heavy duty diesel and fuel cell activities are also discussed.
development of enzymes and conversion of biomass to ethanol. This is part of an overall grant from the ministry of $17.7 M over a 4-year period. In Jan 2001 Novozymes signed a 3-year contract with the energy ministry for which a $6.9 M grant was awarded.
Merrill Lynch Report, 27 Sep 2002, 13-17 (Merrill Lynch, 20 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3NH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7772 1000)
OMG-Solvias chiral linkup
Neozyme sells enzyme for use on golf courses Neozyme International Inc (Neozyme) is recording continuing, steady sales of its bio-catalytic soil conditioner, Phyto-Zyme, to a Japanese distributor for use on golf courses. Phyto-Zyme provides numerous benefits to the agricultural needs of growers in many areas of Japan and world-wide, especially, as global climatic trends and population growth is contributing to increasingly arid conditions. In addition to better water management, Phyto-Zyme increases the soil’s ability to absorb nutrients and assists in microorganism activity. Press release from: International Daleco Corp, 33 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. Tel: +1 949 360 4288. Fax: +1 949 360 8774. Website: http://www.daleco.com (15 Oct 2002)
Novolen and Celanese to develop PP catalysts Novolen Technology Holdings and Celanese Ventures have forged a deal to develop enhanced metallocenes, metallocene catalysts, and co-catalysts for PP. The project will focus on markets where PP is becoming the preferred material over higher-priced resins for products such as domestic appliances, furniture, sanitary equipment, automotive, and packaging.
Dagbladet Borsen, 28 Oct 2002 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish) & Press release from: Novozymes NA Inc, USA. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (28 Oct 2002)
Contract research company Solvias and OM Group’s precious metals chemistry division have merged their resources in chiral catalysis for the drugs industry. The companies will offer chiral ligands, catalysts precursors, and preformed metal ligand complexes for chiral synthesis. Chemical Week, 2 Oct 2002, 164 (39), 26
Plug Power and Albany NanoTech to develop next generation fuel cell catalyst Plug Power Inc and Albany NanoTech announced a joint R&D partnership aimed at integrating nanotechnology and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies for enhanced catalyst performance of fuel cell electrodes. The projected five year, $5 M programme will seek to develop and build the next generation fuel cell catalyst nanostructures to atomically engineer and customise the baseline performance of PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies. The partnership will explore the incorporation of nanostructured materials for use in fuel cell applications. Results from this project will help Plug Power decrease system costs while increasing performance and enhancing reliability of the fuel cells. Press release from: Plug Power Inc, 968, AlbanyShaker Road, Latham, NY 12110, USA. Tel: +1 518 782 7700. Fax: +1 518 782 9060. Website: http://www.plugpower.com (10 Oct 2002)
High Performance Plastics, Oct 2002, 5
$2.2 M grant for Novozymes Novozymes’ US daughter company Novozymes NA has received $2.2 M from the American energy ministry as a contribution towards the company’s
Rentech, Jacobs, CCC, sign cooperation agreement for the development of GTL plants Rentech Inc announced the signing of a co-operation agreement for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL)
DECEMBER 2002
ISP enters biotech arena with BioCatalytics International Specialty Products Inc is entering the biotech sector with a newly-established formed alliance with BioCatalytics Inc, a technology and services provider for the application of enzymes. The two companies will produce beta-amino acids. The alliance brings together BioCatalytics’ know-how in enzymebased research with ISP’s experience in the development and scale-up of pharmaceutical intermediates and bulk actives. The companies can provide support from lab-scale process development through to fullscale production. Chemical Market Reporter, 14 Oct 2002 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
JM’s purchase of Synetix cleared in Germany The Bundeskartellamt in Germany has approved Johnson Matthey’s acquisition of ICI’s Synetix division. This will allow the main part of the Synetix sale to go ahead. The acquisition of those parts of Synetix that are owned by ICI India will require the approval of ICI India’s shareholders. European Chemical News, 21 Oct 2002, 77 (2026), 6 & Press release from: Johnson Matthey plc, 2-4 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1Y 5BQ, UK. Tel: +44 207 269 8400. Fax: +44 207 269 8433. Website: http://www.matthey.com. 14 Oct 2002
JM: autocatalysts, heavy duty diesel, fuel cells Johnson Matthey is the world number 1 in the field of autocatalysts with 95% of this market to be found in transport vehicles and the remainder in stationary plant. The company uses
4
O N
C ATA LY S T S
catalysts such as rhodium and platinum for emission control in cars, trucks, and other vehicles using diesel or petroleum. Its market is reflected in the table of forecasts for cars and trucks between 2001 and 2007. A small decline in 2001-2002 is seen with a 1.8% improvement in 2003 and a 3% peak growth for 2004. Thereafter the market is forecast to be flat. Johnson Matthey’s heavy duty diesel and fuel cell activities are also discussed.
development of enzymes and conversion of biomass to ethanol. This is part of an overall grant from the ministry of $17.7 M over a 4-year period. In Jan 2001 Novozymes signed a 3-year contract with the energy ministry for which a $6.9 M grant was awarded.
Merrill Lynch Report, 27 Sep 2002, 13-17 (Merrill Lynch, 20 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3NH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7772 1000)
OMG-Solvias chiral linkup
Neozyme sells enzyme for use on golf courses Neozyme International Inc (Neozyme) is recording continuing, steady sales of its bio-catalytic soil conditioner, Phyto-Zyme, to a Japanese distributor for use on golf courses. Phyto-Zyme provides numerous benefits to the agricultural needs of growers in many areas of Japan and world-wide, especially, as global climatic trends and population growth is contributing to increasingly arid conditions. In addition to better water management, Phyto-Zyme increases the soil’s ability to absorb nutrients and assists in microorganism activity. Press release from: International Daleco Corp, 33 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. Tel: +1 949 360 4288. Fax: +1 949 360 8774. Website: http://www.daleco.com (15 Oct 2002)
Novolen and Celanese to develop PP catalysts Novolen Technology Holdings and Celanese Ventures have forged a deal to develop enhanced metallocenes, metallocene catalysts, and co-catalysts for PP. The project will focus on markets where PP is becoming the preferred material over higher-priced resins for products such as domestic appliances, furniture, sanitary equipment, automotive, and packaging.
Dagbladet Borsen, 28 Oct 2002 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish) & Press release from: Novozymes NA Inc, USA. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (28 Oct 2002)
Contract research company Solvias and OM Group’s precious metals chemistry division have merged their resources in chiral catalysis for the drugs industry. The companies will offer chiral ligands, catalysts precursors, and preformed metal ligand complexes for chiral synthesis. Chemical Week, 2 Oct 2002, 164 (39), 26
Plug Power and Albany NanoTech to develop next generation fuel cell catalyst Plug Power Inc and Albany NanoTech announced a joint R&D partnership aimed at integrating nanotechnology and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies for enhanced catalyst performance of fuel cell electrodes. The projected five year, $5 M programme will seek to develop and build the next generation fuel cell catalyst nanostructures to atomically engineer and customise the baseline performance of PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies. The partnership will explore the incorporation of nanostructured materials for use in fuel cell applications. Results from this project will help Plug Power decrease system costs while increasing performance and enhancing reliability of the fuel cells. Press release from: Plug Power Inc, 968, AlbanyShaker Road, Latham, NY 12110, USA. Tel: +1 518 782 7700. Fax: +1 518 782 9060. Website: http://www.plugpower.com (10 Oct 2002)
High Performance Plastics, Oct 2002, 5
$2.2 M grant for Novozymes Novozymes’ US daughter company Novozymes NA has received $2.2 M from the American energy ministry as a contribution towards the company’s
Rentech, Jacobs, CCC, sign cooperation agreement for the development of GTL plants Rentech Inc announced the signing of a co-operation agreement for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL)
DECEMBER 2002