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Novozymes' enzyme sales up 14% in 2007
F O C U S be placed in jeopardy if there is truth in the claims by Coskata that it has discovered a process for the cheap and environmentally friendly production of biofuels which does not require enzymes, chemicals, or the pre-treatment of biomass. The two Danish firms have invested heavily in the production of enzymes for biofuel manufacture. The process involves microorganisms consuming syngas and can apparently be carried out at low temperatures and pressures. Coskata has developed a method which delivers 7.7 times more energy than it consumes and produces 378 litres ethanol per tonne biomass. Carbon dioxide production is 84% less than that of conventional petrol production. Coskata says the process could revolutionize the ethanol industry with backing from General Motors and its partners. It can be used with nearly all crops and agricultural waste throughout the world. Net Posten, 16 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
Novozymes and Danisco not too concerned over Coskata’s process Despite the American firm Coskata’s claiming to have discovered a process for the cheap and environmentally friendly production of biofuels, Danisco and Novozymes say they are not particularly worried and believe there is still major potential in the area of bioethanol production. Novozymes already has a well established market as regards its production of enzymes for first generation bioethanol and is actively developing products for second generation bioethanol. In addition, its enzymes could possibly be used in other ways, for example in new processes such as that used by the US firm. The enzymes could also potentially be used to speed up existing processes for other types of bioethanol production. Danisco’s bioethanol division Genencor believes that the ambitious goals of America’s new energy law create the possibility for bioethanol production using various approaches, and that this signals a strong incentive for further investment in the sector. The company feels there is a need for investment in technical solutions that can bring down the cost of bioethanol to a competitive level and therefore
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there is a use for all the bioethanol that can be produced. It also thinks General Motors’ entry into the sector could generate further interest and investment in the sector.
direct synthesis route for making hydrogen peroxide. Press release from: Headwaters Inc, 11778, S Election Road, Suite 210, Draper, UT 84020, USA. Tel: +1 801 984 9400. Fax: +1 801 984 9410. Website: http://www.hdwtrs.com (14 Jan 2008)
Net Posten, 17 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
DSM buys into plastics derived from CO2 Novomer, an Ithaca-based start-up engaged in materials technology, has received an unspecified investment from DSM’s venture capital unit DSM Venturing. DSM also hopes to reach a collaboration agreement with Novomer, which is developing a technology platform that relies on renewable materials and carbon dioxide to manufacture plastics, polymers, and other chemicals. Researchers at Cornell University developed the pioneering catalysts used in Novomer’s proprietary technology. The Novomer investment is the eighth for DSM Venturing in 2007. DSM has earmarked a budget of EUR 200 M ($286 M) for venture capital investment through 2012. Chemical Week, 14 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Headwaters’ jv brings additional production capacity for Korean peroxide plant Headwaters Inc and Evonik Industries AG (formerly Degussa AG) have substantially increased production capacity for hydrogen peroxide at the plant operated by their jv in Ulsan, Korea. HeadwatersEvonik acquired this plant from the Finnish company Kemira Oyj, Helsinki, in 2006. Using proprietary technology from Evonik, it has more than doubled capacity from the original level of 34,000 tonne/y within a year. The hydrogen peroxide produced in Ulsan will be supplied to customers in Korea and to the adjacent plant operated by the Seoulbased company SKC. In the next few months from Jan 2008, SKC will start up one of the world’s first plants for propylene oxide based on the HPPO process. SKC has acquired a licence for the HPPO process, which was developed by Evonik and Uhde. To provide a long-term basis for this strategy, HeadwatersEvonik is currently working on a new catalytic
JM and Chinese partner to make shift catalysts in China Johnson Matthey Catalysts has formed a jv with Qingdao Hero Catalyst Co. The jv, named Qingdao Johnson Matthey Hero Catalyst Co, will produce Johnson Matthey’s K8-11 series sour shift catalysts at Qingdao Hero Catalyst’s plant in Qingdao, PR China. The deal was inked in Aug 2007. Nitrogen + Syngas, Feb 2008, (291), 9
Yara extends catalyst partnership with JM Yara International ASA and Johnson Matthey have extended their supply deal for another three years. Johnson Matthey will continue to provide frontend catalysts to Yara’s ammonia facilities until 2011. Yara and Johnson Matthey have also agreed to jointly market Yara’s catalysts for lowering greenhouse gas emissions from nitric acid plants. Nitrogen + Syngas, Feb 2008, (291), 7
Novozymes’ enzyme sales up 14% in 2007 Novozymes’ sales of enzymes rose by 14% in 2007, though when corrected for currency exchange rates the growth was 9%. The increase in sales was driven by bioethanol and washing products. Sales of microorganisms, however, were down by 5% or by 11% in local currencies. Sales of enzymes for bioethanol production were up by more than 40%. A large part of the turnover of the enzymes business area is generated in the US and so the falling rate of the dollar had a strong negative impact. Net Posten, 25 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
Novozymes expects to have enzymes ready for second-generation bioethanol production The first pilot plants for secondgeneration bioethanol production
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Novozymes and Danisco not too concerned over Coskata’s process Despite the American firm Coskata’s claiming to have discovered a process for the cheap and environmentally friendly production of biofuels, Danisco and Novozymes say they are not particularly worried and believe there is still major potential in the area of bioethanol production. Novozymes already has a well established market as regards its production of enzymes for first generation bioethanol and is actively developing products for second generation bioethanol. In addition, its enzymes could possibly be used in other ways, for example in new processes such as that used by the US firm. The enzymes could also potentially be used to speed up existing processes for other types of bioethanol production. Danisco’s bioethanol division Genencor believes that the ambitious goals of America’s new energy law create the possibility for bioethanol production using various approaches, and that this signals a strong incentive for further investment in the sector. The company feels there is a need for investment in technical solutions that can bring down the cost of bioethanol to a competitive level and therefore
MARCH 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
there is a use for all the bioethanol that can be produced. It also thinks General Motors’ entry into the sector could generate further interest and investment in the sector.
direct synthesis route for making hydrogen peroxide. Press release from: Headwaters Inc, 11778, S Election Road, Suite 210, Draper, UT 84020, USA. Tel: +1 801 984 9400. Fax: +1 801 984 9410. Website: http://www.hdwtrs.com (14 Jan 2008)
Net Posten, 17 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
DSM buys into plastics derived from CO2 Novomer, an Ithaca-based start-up engaged in materials technology, has received an unspecified investment from DSM’s venture capital unit DSM Venturing. DSM also hopes to reach a collaboration agreement with Novomer, which is developing a technology platform that relies on renewable materials and carbon dioxide to manufacture plastics, polymers, and other chemicals. Researchers at Cornell University developed the pioneering catalysts used in Novomer’s proprietary technology. The Novomer investment is the eighth for DSM Venturing in 2007. DSM has earmarked a budget of EUR 200 M ($286 M) for venture capital investment through 2012. Chemical Week, 14 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Headwaters’ jv brings additional production capacity for Korean peroxide plant Headwaters Inc and Evonik Industries AG (formerly Degussa AG) have substantially increased production capacity for hydrogen peroxide at the plant operated by their jv in Ulsan, Korea. HeadwatersEvonik acquired this plant from the Finnish company Kemira Oyj, Helsinki, in 2006. Using proprietary technology from Evonik, it has more than doubled capacity from the original level of 34,000 tonne/y within a year. The hydrogen peroxide produced in Ulsan will be supplied to customers in Korea and to the adjacent plant operated by the Seoulbased company SKC. In the next few months from Jan 2008, SKC will start up one of the world’s first plants for propylene oxide based on the HPPO process. SKC has acquired a licence for the HPPO process, which was developed by Evonik and Uhde. To provide a long-term basis for this strategy, HeadwatersEvonik is currently working on a new catalytic
JM and Chinese partner to make shift catalysts in China Johnson Matthey Catalysts has formed a jv with Qingdao Hero Catalyst Co. The jv, named Qingdao Johnson Matthey Hero Catalyst Co, will produce Johnson Matthey’s K8-11 series sour shift catalysts at Qingdao Hero Catalyst’s plant in Qingdao, PR China. The deal was inked in Aug 2007. Nitrogen + Syngas, Feb 2008, (291), 9
Yara extends catalyst partnership with JM Yara International ASA and Johnson Matthey have extended their supply deal for another three years. Johnson Matthey will continue to provide frontend catalysts to Yara’s ammonia facilities until 2011. Yara and Johnson Matthey have also agreed to jointly market Yara’s catalysts for lowering greenhouse gas emissions from nitric acid plants. Nitrogen + Syngas, Feb 2008, (291), 7
Novozymes’ enzyme sales up 14% in 2007 Novozymes’ sales of enzymes rose by 14% in 2007, though when corrected for currency exchange rates the growth was 9%. The increase in sales was driven by bioethanol and washing products. Sales of microorganisms, however, were down by 5% or by 11% in local currencies. Sales of enzymes for bioethanol production were up by more than 40%. A large part of the turnover of the enzymes business area is generated in the US and so the falling rate of the dollar had a strong negative impact. Net Posten, 25 Jan 2008 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
Novozymes expects to have enzymes ready for second-generation bioethanol production The first pilot plants for secondgeneration bioethanol production
3