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Novozymes raises results forecast for 2005
FOCUS IOC inks JV with Intercat for FCC catalysts and additives Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has formed a jv with US-based Intercat Inc for the manufacture and marketing of FCC catalysts and additives, after having signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Sep 2004. The plant, with capacity of 10,000 tonne/y, would require a total investment of around Rup 900 M. IOC and Intercat are to contribute Rup 150 M each towards the equity capital of the company. Intercat expects to gain a strong position in the south East Asian market through this deal. The jv plant will also manufacture zeolites, the manufacturing technology for which is being provided by Intercat. Intercat has developed and patented equipment and control systems by which refiners can accurately and almost continuously add either fresh catalyst or additives to the FCC unit. Chemical Weekly, 30 Aug 2005, 51 (2), 126
Trading sustained at JM: 2004-2005 results and since On 2 Jun 2005 Johnson Matthey announced a 1% increase in operating profits to £208 M (€303 M/$365 M) for the year ending 31 Mar 2005. It has confirmed its 1H 20052006 trading results are as expected, with continued growth in profits, with the results to be announced on 23 Nov 2005. Catalyst sales and profits are better than the previous year. New capacity to make catalytic soot filters has been installed and should help growth in 2H 2005-2006. European Chemical News, 3 Oct 2005, 83 (2165), 9
Kairos Scientific awarded grant from the NSF to engineer designer enzymes for biomass conversion Kairos Scientific Inc has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant will be used to accelerate the development of novel enzymes. As part of the ongoing research, Kairos Scientific will employ its patented Kcat Technology for directed evolution, which is a laboratory process whereby enzyme
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molecules are optimized to perform desirable chemical reactions. Kairos Scientific Inc develops instrumentation, computer algorithms, and molecular biological methods to solve problems in the biopharmaceutical and chemical industries. Press release from: Kairos Scientific Inc, #A110, 10225 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. Tel: +1 858 626 8170. Fax: +1 858 626 8177. Website: http://www.kairos-scientific.com (4 Oct 2005)
Large Scale Biology and BioCatalytics enter into collaboration and licence agreement Large Scale Biology Corporation (LSBC) and BioCatalytics have signed a multi-year licence agreement covering the use of proprietary technology from both firms for improving enzymes used in chemical synthesis. BioCatalytics will pay LSBC a fee for protein improvement technology. It will also pay royalties on sales of BioCatalytics products developed using LSBC technology. PharmaChem, Jul/Aug 2005, 4 (7/8), 52
Novozymes raises results forecast for 2005 Novozymes, Denmark, has revised upwards its forecast for results growth in 2005 from 9-10% to 10-11%. In 3Q 2005 the company reported a result of DKR 909 M, 9% up on 3Q 2004. The pretax result for 3Q 2005 was DKR 885 M, 13% up on 1-3Q 2004. Sales of washing product enzymes were down 3% in 1-3Q 2005 whereas sales of foodstuff enzymes were up by 6%. Novozymes’s long term target for its enzymes business as a whole is an average growth of 8-9%/y. Dagbladet Borsen, 27 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Novozymes and Genencor in US patent dispute On the same day that Danisco-owned Genencor was awarded a patent for the enzyme Spezyme Ethyl, Novozymes sued the company over alleged infringement of patent rights for an enzyme used in making fuel alcohol. On 19 Oct 2005 the US District Court for the district of
Delaware will decide which company has the patent rights. Dagbladet Borsen, 10 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Oxyrane aims high in biotechnology 2005 has seen the formation of a new company called Oxyrane. Based in Johannesburg, Oxyrane is to commercialise research into epoxide hydrolase biocatalysis. Backed by several patents, it is commercializing its technology as a cost-effective “green” route for making chiral epoxides. It is also establishing a technology-based company in S Africa that is strong enough to compete on the world stage Chemical and Engineering News, 24 Oct 2005, 83 (43), 27-28 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Sasol inorganic speciality chemicals business unit The speciality chemicals business unit of the Sasol Ltd Olefins and Surfactants division achieves sales of €130 M-€180 M/y, with about 33% of sales in each of Europe, Asia and the Americas. The unit makes alumina and zeolites at 4 sites across the world in Germany, the USA and Italy. The company makes about 70,000 tonne/y of alumina. It makes 1000 tonne/y of ultra high purity alumina in Tucson, AZ. The markets are discussed. European Chemical News, Oct 2005 (Sasol Olefins & Surfactants Supplement), 8
Shell falls foul of US courts over patents Shell Oil has lost an appeal against a verdict that it had infringed a Union Carbide patent relating to the production of ethylene oxide using catalytic processes. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stated that the damages paid by Shell to Union Carbide could also be increased. Shell has already paid over $150 M to Union Carbide. European Chemical News, 10 Oct 2005, 83 (2166), 7
Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan boosting marketing In early 2006, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan will launch its long-term
DECEMBER 2005
Trading sustained at JM: 2004-2005 results and since On 2 Jun 2005 Johnson Matthey announced a 1% increase in operating profits to £208 M (€303 M/$365 M) for the year ending 31 Mar 2005. It has confirmed its 1H 20052006 trading results are as expected, with continued growth in profits, with the results to be announced on 23 Nov 2005. Catalyst sales and profits are better than the previous year. New capacity to make catalytic soot filters has been installed and should help growth in 2H 2005-2006. European Chemical News, 3 Oct 2005, 83 (2165), 9
Kairos Scientific awarded grant from the NSF to engineer designer enzymes for biomass conversion Kairos Scientific Inc has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant will be used to accelerate the development of novel enzymes. As part of the ongoing research, Kairos Scientific will employ its patented Kcat Technology for directed evolution, which is a laboratory process whereby enzyme
4
ON
C ATA LY S T S
molecules are optimized to perform desirable chemical reactions. Kairos Scientific Inc develops instrumentation, computer algorithms, and molecular biological methods to solve problems in the biopharmaceutical and chemical industries. Press release from: Kairos Scientific Inc, #A110, 10225 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. Tel: +1 858 626 8170. Fax: +1 858 626 8177. Website: http://www.kairos-scientific.com (4 Oct 2005)
Large Scale Biology and BioCatalytics enter into collaboration and licence agreement Large Scale Biology Corporation (LSBC) and BioCatalytics have signed a multi-year licence agreement covering the use of proprietary technology from both firms for improving enzymes used in chemical synthesis. BioCatalytics will pay LSBC a fee for protein improvement technology. It will also pay royalties on sales of BioCatalytics products developed using LSBC technology. PharmaChem, Jul/Aug 2005, 4 (7/8), 52
Novozymes raises results forecast for 2005 Novozymes, Denmark, has revised upwards its forecast for results growth in 2005 from 9-10% to 10-11%. In 3Q 2005 the company reported a result of DKR 909 M, 9% up on 3Q 2004. The pretax result for 3Q 2005 was DKR 885 M, 13% up on 1-3Q 2004. Sales of washing product enzymes were down 3% in 1-3Q 2005 whereas sales of foodstuff enzymes were up by 6%. Novozymes’s long term target for its enzymes business as a whole is an average growth of 8-9%/y. Dagbladet Borsen, 27 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Novozymes and Genencor in US patent dispute On the same day that Danisco-owned Genencor was awarded a patent for the enzyme Spezyme Ethyl, Novozymes sued the company over alleged infringement of patent rights for an enzyme used in making fuel alcohol. On 19 Oct 2005 the US District Court for the district of
Delaware will decide which company has the patent rights. Dagbladet Borsen, 10 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Oxyrane aims high in biotechnology 2005 has seen the formation of a new company called Oxyrane. Based in Johannesburg, Oxyrane is to commercialise research into epoxide hydrolase biocatalysis. Backed by several patents, it is commercializing its technology as a cost-effective “green” route for making chiral epoxides. It is also establishing a technology-based company in S Africa that is strong enough to compete on the world stage Chemical and Engineering News, 24 Oct 2005, 83 (43), 27-28 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Sasol inorganic speciality chemicals business unit The speciality chemicals business unit of the Sasol Ltd Olefins and Surfactants division achieves sales of €130 M-€180 M/y, with about 33% of sales in each of Europe, Asia and the Americas. The unit makes alumina and zeolites at 4 sites across the world in Germany, the USA and Italy. The company makes about 70,000 tonne/y of alumina. It makes 1000 tonne/y of ultra high purity alumina in Tucson, AZ. The markets are discussed. European Chemical News, Oct 2005 (Sasol Olefins & Surfactants Supplement), 8
Shell falls foul of US courts over patents Shell Oil has lost an appeal against a verdict that it had infringed a Union Carbide patent relating to the production of ethylene oxide using catalytic processes. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stated that the damages paid by Shell to Union Carbide could also be increased. Shell has already paid over $150 M to Union Carbide. European Chemical News, 10 Oct 2005, 83 (2166), 7
Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan boosting marketing In early 2006, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan will launch its long-term
DECEMBER 2005