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Oil to coal conversions complete
F O C U S Oil to coal conversions complete Three fertilizer makers under Sinopec have successfully converted their oil based ammonia production facilities to employ Shell’s coal gasification process. Sinopec Anqing Petrochemical Co used the process in a newly commissioned 2000 tonne/day gasification unit. Sinopec Baling Petrochemical Co recently started up a 2000 tonne/day coal gasification unit established as an equal jv between Sinopec and Shell. The site’s ammonia capacity is expected to climb from 370,000 tonne/y to 435,000 tonne/y, although urea output will stay at 640,000 tonne/y. Sinopec affiliate Hubei Fertilizer Co also completed a 2000 tonne/day coal gasification plant. The company, which has a 300,000 tonne/y ammonia and 520,000 tonne/y urea capacity at Hubei Province’s Zhijiang, spent Yuan 1.25 bn ($160 M) on the project. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 6
Süd-Chemie continues last year’s excellent performance in 1Q 2007 For its 1Q 2007 (period ends 31 Mar 2007), Süd-Chemie AG has reported sales of €247.6 M (€227.7 M for its 1Q 2006), EBITDA of €35.3 M (€23.6 M), EBIT of €24.9 M (€14.1 M), and headcount of 4817 (4383). There is discussion of the business and of the results. Süd-Chemie continues last year’s excellent performance in 1Q 2007, 7 May 2007, 1 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie sales break €1 bn barrier Süd-Chemie had an earnings before interest and tax (ebit) of €83.4 M in 2006 (+24%). It is expecting a 10% rise in operating profit in 2007. The firm’s adsorbents division reported an ebit of €44.5 M (+15.3%) on sales of €533.6 M (+12%). The catalyst division had an ebit of €70.3 M (+29%) on sales of €469.1 M (+16.9%). The improvement was due to increased demand for industrial catalysts. Süd-Chemie is to invest €107 M in 2007 (+50% on 2006). Hydro-talcite production capacity will be expanded at Moosburg. The firm
JULY 2007
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will also spend on catalyst research laboratories at Heufeld. ICIS Chemical Business Americas, 30 Apr 2007 (Website: http://www.icbamericas.com)
Süd-Chemie licenses patent for hydrogen-generation catalysts Süd-Chemie Catalysts has acquired the licence to the University of Yamanashi’s patent for selective oxidation catalysts for use in hydrogen generation from Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. The company aims to develop zeolitebased, iron-containing selective oxidation catalysts for hydrogen generation in fuel cells. Süd-Chemie aims to commercialize the product around 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 26 Apr/3 May 2007, 48 (2414), 3
Topsoe to supply technology to PetroChina Haldor Topsoe has obtained a contract to provide ammonia technology for PetroChina’s Tarim Fertilizer Project. A 1500 tonne/day ammonia unit will be built as part of the project, which is set to become PetroChina’s largest single train fertilizer production project. China Petroleum Material & Equipment Corp will handle project construction, while Snamprogetti will provides its urea process and Toyo its granulation technology. Topsoe will handle technology transfer, as well as provide proprietary equipment and catalysts. The complex, due to come online in 2009, also includes an 800,000 tonne/y urea unit. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 6
NEW PLANTS
New Chinese methanol projects Several projects for the construction of new methanol plants or the expansion of methanol capacities are being undertaken in China. Johnson CNPC Tuha catalysts and Davy Process Technology (DPT) have been commissioned to supply a methanol technology licence, basic engineering design, and catalysts for the methanol project of Qinghai Zhonghao Natural Gas Chemical Co at Geermu City in China’s Qinghai Province. The two companies will provide their advanced steam reforming process, methanol synthesis technology, and catalysts to allow the plant to manufacture 660,000 tonne/y of methanol from natural gas. DPT is working on the basic engineering for the plant, while local firm Chengda Engineering Corp is performing the detailed engineering. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 10 & Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2007, 86 (5), 39
GAIL looks at coal gasification GAIL, a state-owned gas firm in India, is considering using Shell’s coal gasification technology to shift from naphtha and oil to coal feedstock at its ammonia and urea plants. Gail is looking at an initial step of launching a coal gasification project at Talcher to allow Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp, and other fertilizer firms to convert their units. India is aiming to convert all nonnatural gas based urea facilities to natural gas feedstock by 2010, but the programme is facing setbacks due to a lack of gas supply. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 12
Huntsman breaks ground for MA
BASF Catalysts will boost its fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts capacity at its facilities at Savannah and Attapulgus, GA, USA. The expanded facilities are due to come on stream by 2008.
Huntsman has begun construction of a new manufacturing unit for maleic anhydride, at Geismar, LA, USA. The 45,000 tonne/y unit will be based on the company’s proprietary production and catalyst technologies, with startup slated in 4Q 2008. Huntsman will procure butane raw materials from nearby fractionators for use at the plant.
Chemical Week, 23 May 2007 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Speciality Chemicals, Apr 2007, 27 (3), 10 & Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2007, 103 (4), 19
BASF to boost FCC capacity at Georgia, USA
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Süd-Chemie continues last year’s excellent performance in 1Q 2007 For its 1Q 2007 (period ends 31 Mar 2007), Süd-Chemie AG has reported sales of €247.6 M (€227.7 M for its 1Q 2006), EBITDA of €35.3 M (€23.6 M), EBIT of €24.9 M (€14.1 M), and headcount of 4817 (4383). There is discussion of the business and of the results. Süd-Chemie continues last year’s excellent performance in 1Q 2007, 7 May 2007, 1 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375. Website: http://www.sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie sales break €1 bn barrier Süd-Chemie had an earnings before interest and tax (ebit) of €83.4 M in 2006 (+24%). It is expecting a 10% rise in operating profit in 2007. The firm’s adsorbents division reported an ebit of €44.5 M (+15.3%) on sales of €533.6 M (+12%). The catalyst division had an ebit of €70.3 M (+29%) on sales of €469.1 M (+16.9%). The improvement was due to increased demand for industrial catalysts. Süd-Chemie is to invest €107 M in 2007 (+50% on 2006). Hydro-talcite production capacity will be expanded at Moosburg. The firm
JULY 2007
O N
C ATA LY S T S
will also spend on catalyst research laboratories at Heufeld. ICIS Chemical Business Americas, 30 Apr 2007 (Website: http://www.icbamericas.com)
Süd-Chemie licenses patent for hydrogen-generation catalysts Süd-Chemie Catalysts has acquired the licence to the University of Yamanashi’s patent for selective oxidation catalysts for use in hydrogen generation from Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. The company aims to develop zeolitebased, iron-containing selective oxidation catalysts for hydrogen generation in fuel cells. Süd-Chemie aims to commercialize the product around 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 26 Apr/3 May 2007, 48 (2414), 3
Topsoe to supply technology to PetroChina Haldor Topsoe has obtained a contract to provide ammonia technology for PetroChina’s Tarim Fertilizer Project. A 1500 tonne/day ammonia unit will be built as part of the project, which is set to become PetroChina’s largest single train fertilizer production project. China Petroleum Material & Equipment Corp will handle project construction, while Snamprogetti will provides its urea process and Toyo its granulation technology. Topsoe will handle technology transfer, as well as provide proprietary equipment and catalysts. The complex, due to come online in 2009, also includes an 800,000 tonne/y urea unit. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 6
NEW PLANTS
New Chinese methanol projects Several projects for the construction of new methanol plants or the expansion of methanol capacities are being undertaken in China. Johnson CNPC Tuha catalysts and Davy Process Technology (DPT) have been commissioned to supply a methanol technology licence, basic engineering design, and catalysts for the methanol project of Qinghai Zhonghao Natural Gas Chemical Co at Geermu City in China’s Qinghai Province. The two companies will provide their advanced steam reforming process, methanol synthesis technology, and catalysts to allow the plant to manufacture 660,000 tonne/y of methanol from natural gas. DPT is working on the basic engineering for the plant, while local firm Chengda Engineering Corp is performing the detailed engineering. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 10 & Hydrocarbon Processing, May 2007, 86 (5), 39
GAIL looks at coal gasification GAIL, a state-owned gas firm in India, is considering using Shell’s coal gasification technology to shift from naphtha and oil to coal feedstock at its ammonia and urea plants. Gail is looking at an initial step of launching a coal gasification project at Talcher to allow Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp, and other fertilizer firms to convert their units. India is aiming to convert all nonnatural gas based urea facilities to natural gas feedstock by 2010, but the programme is facing setbacks due to a lack of gas supply. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2007, (286), 12
Huntsman breaks ground for MA
BASF Catalysts will boost its fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts capacity at its facilities at Savannah and Attapulgus, GA, USA. The expanded facilities are due to come on stream by 2008.
Huntsman has begun construction of a new manufacturing unit for maleic anhydride, at Geismar, LA, USA. The 45,000 tonne/y unit will be based on the company’s proprietary production and catalyst technologies, with startup slated in 4Q 2008. Huntsman will procure butane raw materials from nearby fractionators for use at the plant.
Chemical Week, 23 May 2007 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Speciality Chemicals, Apr 2007, 27 (3), 10 & Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2007, 103 (4), 19
BASF to boost FCC capacity at Georgia, USA
5