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Platinum 2009: chemical
F O C U S declined by 24.1% year on year to 20,258 tonnes while import values contracted by 14% to Yen 121,946 M ($1279 M). Nickel catalysts and nickel-compound catalysts import volumes, which account for a big chunk of the market, fell 14.4% to 4945 tonnes, with import values down 8.3% to Yen 8654 M. Supported silicaalumina catalysts registered a 7.8% import volume growth, as import values rose 8.9% to Yen 1829 M. Supported platinum catalysts saw import volumes fall 36.8% to 585 tonnes, with import values dropping 26.1% to Yen 14,963 M. Catalyst exports expanded 4.3% in volume terms and 10% in value terms during the same period. Japan Chemical Web, 26 May 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Platinum 2009: autocatalyst Gross global autocatalyst demand for platinum fell by 8.2% in 2008 to 3.81 M ounces. Slowing vehicle production drove European platinum demand 1.7% lower, to 2.02 M ounces. Japanese, North American, and Rest of the World region platinum demand fell too but metal purchases by the automotive sector rose in China. Gross platinum demand for autocatalysts is tabulated by region for 2007 and 2008. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 23 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
Platinum 2009: chemical The chemical sector accounted for 395,000 oz of platinum demand in 2008, 25,000 oz less than in 2007. Demand from the manufacture of silicones rose by 5000 oz but less metal was purchased for use in heterogeneous catalysts. In the process catalyst arena, demand for platinum slipped lower. Manufacturing capacity for chemicals such as paraxylene grew in much of Asia in 2008. However, global demand for such commodity chemicals fell later in the year and the petrochemical and plastics industry cut its product stocks. Production was cut back severely, meaning that less platinum was required for top-up catalyst charges. Of note, however, was the cancellation of a number of projects
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due to the poor economic outlook, something that will limit platinum demand in the medium term. Demand for nitric acid grew in 2008 although by a slower rate than in the previous year. Demand for platinum catalytic burner gauzes therefore differed little from 2007 levels. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 29 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
Palladium 2009: chemical The chemical industry purchased a net 350,000 oz of palladium in 2008, down 6.7% from 2007, reflecting both an expected slowdown in construction of new plant capacity and the weak performance of the global economy in 4Q. Demand for palladium in the nitric acid industry was strong in 1H 2008. Palladium catchment gauzes are used in many low to medium pressure nitric acid plants to capture platinum lost from the catalytic burner gauzes. However, as the platinum price fell in 2H of the year, the economic incentive to fit new palladium catchment gauzes decreased. Additionally, as demand for nitric acid itself softened, fewer plants were operated at full capacity, allowing less frequent changes of catalyst. Overall, palladium demand fell slightly. In other subsectors of the chemical industry, palladium demand was relatively strong throughout much of last year. Extra production capacity for chemicals such as PTA and hydrogen peroxide was constructed in China and in the Rest of the World, contributing substantial demand for palladium. However, with fewer new plants constructed in Asia than in the previous year, demand fell marginally. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 36-37 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
COMPANY NEWS
through innovative catalyst products. For the long term, the company aims to become the global leader in catalysts for alternative fuels and to improve its market position in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), hydroprocessing catalysts, and polymerization activation. The company has introduced an FCC catalyst that allows refiners to optimize gasoline production and reduce coke generation by as much as 2%. In the global $3 bn refinery catalysts market, sales have been holding steady despite the recession. Refinery catalysts account for approximately 75% of the company’s catalysts business. In the $2 bn polyolefins catalyst market, the company intends to build its downstream capabilities in finished polyolefin catalysts by leveraging its leading position in organometallics production. Chemical Week, 18/25 May 2009, 171 (14), 8
Albemarle’s new catalyst significantly boosts gasoline yields Albemarle Corp has launched the latest addition to its leading portfolio of refining products and technologies. ‘GO-ULTRA’ is the first fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) product to be offered from the company’s newest manufacturing technology process known as ‘ONYX’. GO-ULTRA is a powerful new catalyst specifically designed for application to gas oil feeds to increase naphtha yields by as much as 3% while significantly reducing coke, a critical advantage for refiners. Further, this comprehensive refining solution can deliver these results while also providing a marked improvement in bottoms cracking capabilities. The company’s new ONYX technology involves a unique manufacturing process which results in enhanced pore structure and optimised active site distribution. The innovative catalyst technology utilises a novel matrix composition that is also being explored for potential use in other market segments. Press release from: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (28 May 2009)
Albemarle aims to boost growth in catalysts
BASF, others invest in SDCmaterials
Albemarle expects to improve its profitability in 2010 and beyond
Tempe, AZ, USA-based SDCmaterials has secured $14 M in venture capital
JULY 2009
Platinum 2009: autocatalyst Gross global autocatalyst demand for platinum fell by 8.2% in 2008 to 3.81 M ounces. Slowing vehicle production drove European platinum demand 1.7% lower, to 2.02 M ounces. Japanese, North American, and Rest of the World region platinum demand fell too but metal purchases by the automotive sector rose in China. Gross platinum demand for autocatalysts is tabulated by region for 2007 and 2008. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 23 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
Platinum 2009: chemical The chemical sector accounted for 395,000 oz of platinum demand in 2008, 25,000 oz less than in 2007. Demand from the manufacture of silicones rose by 5000 oz but less metal was purchased for use in heterogeneous catalysts. In the process catalyst arena, demand for platinum slipped lower. Manufacturing capacity for chemicals such as paraxylene grew in much of Asia in 2008. However, global demand for such commodity chemicals fell later in the year and the petrochemical and plastics industry cut its product stocks. Production was cut back severely, meaning that less platinum was required for top-up catalyst charges. Of note, however, was the cancellation of a number of projects
2
O N
C ATA LY S T S
due to the poor economic outlook, something that will limit platinum demand in the medium term. Demand for nitric acid grew in 2008 although by a slower rate than in the previous year. Demand for platinum catalytic burner gauzes therefore differed little from 2007 levels. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 29 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
Palladium 2009: chemical The chemical industry purchased a net 350,000 oz of palladium in 2008, down 6.7% from 2007, reflecting both an expected slowdown in construction of new plant capacity and the weak performance of the global economy in 4Q. Demand for palladium in the nitric acid industry was strong in 1H 2008. Palladium catchment gauzes are used in many low to medium pressure nitric acid plants to capture platinum lost from the catalytic burner gauzes. However, as the platinum price fell in 2H of the year, the economic incentive to fit new palladium catchment gauzes decreased. Additionally, as demand for nitric acid itself softened, fewer plants were operated at full capacity, allowing less frequent changes of catalyst. Overall, palladium demand fell slightly. In other subsectors of the chemical industry, palladium demand was relatively strong throughout much of last year. Extra production capacity for chemicals such as PTA and hydrogen peroxide was constructed in China and in the Rest of the World, contributing substantial demand for palladium. However, with fewer new plants constructed in Asia than in the previous year, demand fell marginally. Johnson Matthey Platinum, May 2009, (2009), 36-37 (Johnson Matthey PLC, Precious Metals Marketing, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1763 256315. Fax: +44 (0)1763 256338. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
COMPANY NEWS
through innovative catalyst products. For the long term, the company aims to become the global leader in catalysts for alternative fuels and to improve its market position in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), hydroprocessing catalysts, and polymerization activation. The company has introduced an FCC catalyst that allows refiners to optimize gasoline production and reduce coke generation by as much as 2%. In the global $3 bn refinery catalysts market, sales have been holding steady despite the recession. Refinery catalysts account for approximately 75% of the company’s catalysts business. In the $2 bn polyolefins catalyst market, the company intends to build its downstream capabilities in finished polyolefin catalysts by leveraging its leading position in organometallics production. Chemical Week, 18/25 May 2009, 171 (14), 8
Albemarle’s new catalyst significantly boosts gasoline yields Albemarle Corp has launched the latest addition to its leading portfolio of refining products and technologies. ‘GO-ULTRA’ is the first fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) product to be offered from the company’s newest manufacturing technology process known as ‘ONYX’. GO-ULTRA is a powerful new catalyst specifically designed for application to gas oil feeds to increase naphtha yields by as much as 3% while significantly reducing coke, a critical advantage for refiners. Further, this comprehensive refining solution can deliver these results while also providing a marked improvement in bottoms cracking capabilities. The company’s new ONYX technology involves a unique manufacturing process which results in enhanced pore structure and optimised active site distribution. The innovative catalyst technology utilises a novel matrix composition that is also being explored for potential use in other market segments. Press release from: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (28 May 2009)
Albemarle aims to boost growth in catalysts
BASF, others invest in SDCmaterials
Albemarle expects to improve its profitability in 2010 and beyond
Tempe, AZ, USA-based SDCmaterials has secured $14 M in venture capital
JULY 2009