- Email: [email protected]
Rio Tinto announces $270 M investment in molybdenum
F O C U S proceedings seek an injunction against Oxonica as well as damages in relation to product already sold and delivery up or destruction of all articles that would infringe Neuftec’s European patent. Press release from: Neuftec Ltd, Commonwealth of Dominica. Tel: +65 9633 8072. E-mail: [email protected] (12 Jun 2008)
Oxonica 2007: Oxonica Energy For its fiscal 2007 (period ends 31 Dec 2007), the Oxonica Energy segment of Oxonica plc has reported revenue of £2.763 M (£8.933 M for its fiscal 2006), operating profit of £406,000 (£3.419 M), total assets of £792,000 (£1.53 M), and total liabilities of £469,000 (£739,000). Oxonica Energy is focused on the development of Envirox, a fuel combustion catalyst for diesel with the demonstrated potential to reduce diesel fuel use by 4% to 10% with commensurate reductions in greenhouse gases and an addressable market estimated at $3 bn. There is discussion of development trails for the product in Turkey and sales in the UK and Europe. Oxonica Energy has been in a patent dispute with Neuftec Ltd since early Jan 2007 regarding the issue of whether royalty fees are payable to Neuftec on sales of the Envirox formulation currently sold by Oxonica Energy. To obtain clarity on the issue, Oxonica Energy issued proceedings on 23 Feb 2007 for a declaration that the formulation does not infringe Neuftec’s granted patent and, as announced on 12 Jul 2007, Neuftec has confirmed that it does not. Oxonica Annual Report and Accounts 2007, 15 May 2008, 2,30 (Oxonica plc, Unit 7, Begbroke Science Park, Sandy Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1PF, UK. Tel: +44 1865 856 700. Fax: +44 1865 856 701. Website: http://www.oxonica.com)
Perstorp 2007: Formalin Technology and Catalysts For its fiscal 2007, Perstorp AB has reported on its Formalin Technology and Catalysts business segment. Sales were 4% of total external net sales of SKR 8583 M. Perstorp Formox focuses on design, development, and delivery of
AUGUST 2008
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C ATA LY S T S
complete plants for formalin production and of the catalyst used in the production process. Customers include the world’s largest chemicals, resin and board producers in more than 40 countries. Nearly half of the global growth in formalin production capacity over the past 10 years has been attributable to plants supplied by Perstorp Formox. The company also accounts for two thirds of total global sales of oxide catalysts used in the production of formalin. Perstorp Annual Report 2007, 7 May 2008, 20-21 (Perstorp AB, SE-284 80 Perstorp, Sweden. Tel: +46 435 380 00. Fax: +46 435 381 00. Website: http://www.perstorp.com)
UOP and Rentech form alliance to offer solution for clean fuels production UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced on 19 Jun 2008 that it has formed an alliance with Rentech Inc to jointly offer technology for the production of clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The nonexclusive agreement between UOP and Rentech will provide a one-stop solution for refiners, petrochemicals and synthetic fuel producers to convert synthesis gas to ultra-clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The offering aligns Rentech’s process to convert synthesis gas from biomass and fossil resources and hydrocarbons with UOP’s hydrocracking and hydrotreating technologies that process and upgrade hydrocarbons to fuels and chemicals. Rentech Inc developed and patented the Rentech Process that transforms under-utilized domestic energy resources into clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The Rentech Process utilizes an iron-based catalyst to convert synthesis gas into ultra-clean hydrocarbons. UOP’s hydrotreating technology refines liquid hydrocarbons to produce ultra-clean fuels and chemicals. UOP’s hydrocracking technology converts liquid hydrocarbon into high-value naphtha or distillate products that can be used to produce ultra-clean gasoline and diesel. Press releases from: Honeywell International (Morristown, NJ) and UOP (Des Plaines, IL) (19 Jul 2008) & Chemical Week, 23 Jun 2008, 170 (19), 4
NEW PLANTS Novozymes to increase its output of enzymes for bioethanol The figure is a pie chart showing the uses of the enzymes made by the Swedish company Novozymes in 2007. The biggest uses were detergents and engineering, with 30% each, followed by foods with 23%. Novozymes is to build a $80 M to $100 M production plant at Blair, NE, for enzymes for the bioethanol industry. The raw material for the plant is to be maize initially, and cellulose later. The plant is due online at the end of 2010, with 100 new jobs. According to the executive vice president of Novozymes, the design of the plant is to allow for future expansions. Sales of engineering enzymes rose 14% in 2007, when the total sales of the company reached €1 bn. Novozymes expects demand in the US for bioethanol to increase, giving the company a 20% to 25% rise in sales of enzymes for bioethanol in 2009 to 2012. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 30 Jun 2008, (429), 9 (in French) & Dagbladet Borsen, 23 Jun 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Rio Tinto announces $270 M investment in molybdenum Rio Tinto is to invest $270 M in a new Molybdenum Autoclave Process (MAP) facility at its Kennecott Utah Copper (KUC) Bingham Canyon operation in Salt Lake City. This will enable lower-grade concentrate to be processed more efficiently than conventional roasters, allow improved molybdenum recovery and operating flexibility and enable production of chemical grade molybdenum products. Molybdenum is a by-product of copper production and is used in metal alloys to enhance toughness, high temperature strength, and corrosion resistance. It is also a key component in oil refining catalysts used to remove sulfur from fuel and improve air quality. MAP will also make it possible for Rio Tinto to recover 9000 lb/y of rhenium from its concentrate and become a secure long term supplier. This is a highmargin market where the average spot price in the last three months
5
F O C U S was $4300/lb. The MAP plant is scheduled to begin operating in the 3Q 2010. Press release from: Rio Tinto plc, 5 Aldermanbury Square, London, EC2V 7HR, UK. Tel: +44 207 781 2000. Fax: +44 207 781 1800. Website: http://www.riotinto.com (11 Jun 2008)
Süd-Chemie starts production in Qatar Süd-Chemie has begun production of catalysts for the gas-to-liquids process in Mesaieed, Qatar. The unit represents in investment of several €10 M and will supply gas-to-liquids factories as well as chemical and petrochemicals units in the Persian Gulf. It will also supply the gas-toliquids factory belonging to Shell and Qatar Petroleum in Ras Laffan, Qatar, which is due to enter service in 2010. Süd-Chemie expects the new unit to be working to full capacity within the next 2 years. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Jun 2008, (426), 12 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Jun 2008, 86 (23), 25 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Press release from: Süd-Chemie, Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 89 5110 250. Website: http://www.sudchemie.com
First start-up of Shell OMEGA process plant Shell has announced the start-up of its new Shell OMEGA (only monoethylene glycol advanced) process technology. The process uses catalytic conversion of EO to MEG as opposed to the traditional thermal conversion approach. The start-up took place at Lotte Daesan’s chemical plant in Daesan, Korea, on 21 May. The MEG plant has capacity of 400,000 tonne/y. Press release from: Shell Chemicals, UK. Tel: +44 207 934 4506. Website: http://www.shellchemicals.com (16 Jun 2008) & Chemical Week, 23 Jun 2008, 170 (19), 28 & Chemistry World, July 2008, 5 (7), 15 & Chemisch2Weekblad, 16 Jun 2008 (Website: http://www.c2w.nl/) (in Dutch)
NEW TECHNOLOGY
ON
C ATA LY S T S
of a highly active visible light responsive photocatalyst in powder and sol forms. The material, codeveloped with Sumitomo Metal Industries, delivers a photocatalytic performance that is five times superior to standard products used in decomposing volatile organic compounds. It can also destroy odoriferous substances such as ammonia. The material is made up of a blend of titanium dioxide and certain other metal oxide that improves its visible light activation property. The global photocatalyst market is forecast to expand from the current Yen 90 bn/y ($858 M/y) to Yen 400 bn/y by 2015. Japan Chemical Week, 29 May 2008, 49 (2467), 2
Mitsui Chemicals’ new process for making cyclohexene Mitsui Chemicals plans to construct a 30,000 tonne/y plant to produce C6, using a homogeneous catalyst technology that it recently developed. Startup of the plant is slated by 2010. The technology integrates the company’s existing olefin polymerization catalyst technologies. The catalyst selectively trimerises ethylene. It demonstrates activity and selectivity that is 600 times superior to that of standard chromium catalysts. The technology is claimed to permit a simple and energy efficient process design. C6 is mainly used as a comonomer for high performance polyethylene (PE), including as a secondary ingredient for the HAO-LL linear low-density PE of Mitsui. Separately, the company plans to concentrate on stepping up catalyst development of its olefins conversion technology, which enables processing of large volumes of ethylene into propylene at its complex in Osaka, Japan. This forms part of an initiative to improve profitability and ease exposure to commodity costs. Chemical Week, 30 Jun 2008, 170 (20), 12 & Press release from: Mitsui Chemicals Inc, Shiodome City Centre, 1-5-2, Higashi-Shimbashi, Tokyo 105 7117, Japan. Website: http:/www.mitsui-chem.co.jp (23 Jun 2008)
New photocatalyst ultra active under visible light
Solazyme produces first algal-based renewable diesel to meet ASTM specifications
Osaka Titanium Technologies plans to begin in 2008 commercial production
Solazyme announced that SoladieselRD, a microalgae-derived
6
renewable diesel, has passed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-975 specifications. SoladieselRD is the first algal-based renewable diesel to meet these standards. In a 100% blend, SoladieselRD has been road tested in a factory standard 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel. The fuel’s chemical composition is identical to that of standard petroleum-based diesel, and SoladieselRD is fully compatible with the existing transportation fuel infrastructure. Solazyme Inc is a synthetic biology company unleashing the power of aquatic microbes to create clean and scalable solutions for biofuel, industrial chemical, and health & wellness markets. Press release from: Solazyme Inc, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. Tel: +1 650 780 4777. Fax: +1 650 989 6700. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.solazyme.com (11 Jun 2008) & ICIS Chemical Business, 16 Jun 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
BASF explores using bacterial surfaces to its advantage BASF is trying to tap biofilms for the production of major compounds through biocatalytic processes. BASF researchers are hoping to substitute the traditional fermentation methods and suspension-based cultures with reactors having biofilms. Some advantages of the process over traditional fermentation are that biofilms are relatively stable, the solution appearing from the other end of the reactor is reasonably biomassfree, and the biofilm can be instantly used as catalyst. Experiments demonstrate that the biofilm systems are stable for over 100 days. Researchers also conducted experiments using biofilms, including the creation of R-2 butanol from a racemic mixture of 2-butanol, and oxidizing ethylene glycol to glycoxylic acid. At present, BASF scientists are trying to raise the concentration of starting materials while sustaining a stable system. They are also working to find the genes that metabolize glycoxylic acid and then employ proteomics to block the procedure and enhance the outcome to 90%. Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Jun 2008, 86 (23), 18 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
AUGUST 2008
Oxonica 2007: Oxonica Energy For its fiscal 2007 (period ends 31 Dec 2007), the Oxonica Energy segment of Oxonica plc has reported revenue of £2.763 M (£8.933 M for its fiscal 2006), operating profit of £406,000 (£3.419 M), total assets of £792,000 (£1.53 M), and total liabilities of £469,000 (£739,000). Oxonica Energy is focused on the development of Envirox, a fuel combustion catalyst for diesel with the demonstrated potential to reduce diesel fuel use by 4% to 10% with commensurate reductions in greenhouse gases and an addressable market estimated at $3 bn. There is discussion of development trails for the product in Turkey and sales in the UK and Europe. Oxonica Energy has been in a patent dispute with Neuftec Ltd since early Jan 2007 regarding the issue of whether royalty fees are payable to Neuftec on sales of the Envirox formulation currently sold by Oxonica Energy. To obtain clarity on the issue, Oxonica Energy issued proceedings on 23 Feb 2007 for a declaration that the formulation does not infringe Neuftec’s granted patent and, as announced on 12 Jul 2007, Neuftec has confirmed that it does not. Oxonica Annual Report and Accounts 2007, 15 May 2008, 2,30 (Oxonica plc, Unit 7, Begbroke Science Park, Sandy Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1PF, UK. Tel: +44 1865 856 700. Fax: +44 1865 856 701. Website: http://www.oxonica.com)
Perstorp 2007: Formalin Technology and Catalysts For its fiscal 2007, Perstorp AB has reported on its Formalin Technology and Catalysts business segment. Sales were 4% of total external net sales of SKR 8583 M. Perstorp Formox focuses on design, development, and delivery of
AUGUST 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
complete plants for formalin production and of the catalyst used in the production process. Customers include the world’s largest chemicals, resin and board producers in more than 40 countries. Nearly half of the global growth in formalin production capacity over the past 10 years has been attributable to plants supplied by Perstorp Formox. The company also accounts for two thirds of total global sales of oxide catalysts used in the production of formalin. Perstorp Annual Report 2007, 7 May 2008, 20-21 (Perstorp AB, SE-284 80 Perstorp, Sweden. Tel: +46 435 380 00. Fax: +46 435 381 00. Website: http://www.perstorp.com)
UOP and Rentech form alliance to offer solution for clean fuels production UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced on 19 Jun 2008 that it has formed an alliance with Rentech Inc to jointly offer technology for the production of clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The nonexclusive agreement between UOP and Rentech will provide a one-stop solution for refiners, petrochemicals and synthetic fuel producers to convert synthesis gas to ultra-clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The offering aligns Rentech’s process to convert synthesis gas from biomass and fossil resources and hydrocarbons with UOP’s hydrocracking and hydrotreating technologies that process and upgrade hydrocarbons to fuels and chemicals. Rentech Inc developed and patented the Rentech Process that transforms under-utilized domestic energy resources into clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The Rentech Process utilizes an iron-based catalyst to convert synthesis gas into ultra-clean hydrocarbons. UOP’s hydrotreating technology refines liquid hydrocarbons to produce ultra-clean fuels and chemicals. UOP’s hydrocracking technology converts liquid hydrocarbon into high-value naphtha or distillate products that can be used to produce ultra-clean gasoline and diesel. Press releases from: Honeywell International (Morristown, NJ) and UOP (Des Plaines, IL) (19 Jul 2008) & Chemical Week, 23 Jun 2008, 170 (19), 4
NEW PLANTS Novozymes to increase its output of enzymes for bioethanol The figure is a pie chart showing the uses of the enzymes made by the Swedish company Novozymes in 2007. The biggest uses were detergents and engineering, with 30% each, followed by foods with 23%. Novozymes is to build a $80 M to $100 M production plant at Blair, NE, for enzymes for the bioethanol industry. The raw material for the plant is to be maize initially, and cellulose later. The plant is due online at the end of 2010, with 100 new jobs. According to the executive vice president of Novozymes, the design of the plant is to allow for future expansions. Sales of engineering enzymes rose 14% in 2007, when the total sales of the company reached €1 bn. Novozymes expects demand in the US for bioethanol to increase, giving the company a 20% to 25% rise in sales of enzymes for bioethanol in 2009 to 2012. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 30 Jun 2008, (429), 9 (in French) & Dagbladet Borsen, 23 Jun 2008 (Website: http://www.borsen.dk) (in Danish)
Rio Tinto announces $270 M investment in molybdenum Rio Tinto is to invest $270 M in a new Molybdenum Autoclave Process (MAP) facility at its Kennecott Utah Copper (KUC) Bingham Canyon operation in Salt Lake City. This will enable lower-grade concentrate to be processed more efficiently than conventional roasters, allow improved molybdenum recovery and operating flexibility and enable production of chemical grade molybdenum products. Molybdenum is a by-product of copper production and is used in metal alloys to enhance toughness, high temperature strength, and corrosion resistance. It is also a key component in oil refining catalysts used to remove sulfur from fuel and improve air quality. MAP will also make it possible for Rio Tinto to recover 9000 lb/y of rhenium from its concentrate and become a secure long term supplier. This is a highmargin market where the average spot price in the last three months
5
F O C U S was $4300/lb. The MAP plant is scheduled to begin operating in the 3Q 2010. Press release from: Rio Tinto plc, 5 Aldermanbury Square, London, EC2V 7HR, UK. Tel: +44 207 781 2000. Fax: +44 207 781 1800. Website: http://www.riotinto.com (11 Jun 2008)
Süd-Chemie starts production in Qatar Süd-Chemie has begun production of catalysts for the gas-to-liquids process in Mesaieed, Qatar. The unit represents in investment of several €10 M and will supply gas-to-liquids factories as well as chemical and petrochemicals units in the Persian Gulf. It will also supply the gas-toliquids factory belonging to Shell and Qatar Petroleum in Ras Laffan, Qatar, which is due to enter service in 2010. Süd-Chemie expects the new unit to be working to full capacity within the next 2 years. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Jun 2008, (426), 12 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Jun 2008, 86 (23), 25 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Press release from: Süd-Chemie, Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 89 5110 250. Website: http://www.sudchemie.com
First start-up of Shell OMEGA process plant Shell has announced the start-up of its new Shell OMEGA (only monoethylene glycol advanced) process technology. The process uses catalytic conversion of EO to MEG as opposed to the traditional thermal conversion approach. The start-up took place at Lotte Daesan’s chemical plant in Daesan, Korea, on 21 May. The MEG plant has capacity of 400,000 tonne/y. Press release from: Shell Chemicals, UK. Tel: +44 207 934 4506. Website: http://www.shellchemicals.com (16 Jun 2008) & Chemical Week, 23 Jun 2008, 170 (19), 28 & Chemistry World, July 2008, 5 (7), 15 & Chemisch2Weekblad, 16 Jun 2008 (Website: http://www.c2w.nl/) (in Dutch)
NEW TECHNOLOGY
ON
C ATA LY S T S
of a highly active visible light responsive photocatalyst in powder and sol forms. The material, codeveloped with Sumitomo Metal Industries, delivers a photocatalytic performance that is five times superior to standard products used in decomposing volatile organic compounds. It can also destroy odoriferous substances such as ammonia. The material is made up of a blend of titanium dioxide and certain other metal oxide that improves its visible light activation property. The global photocatalyst market is forecast to expand from the current Yen 90 bn/y ($858 M/y) to Yen 400 bn/y by 2015. Japan Chemical Week, 29 May 2008, 49 (2467), 2
Mitsui Chemicals’ new process for making cyclohexene Mitsui Chemicals plans to construct a 30,000 tonne/y plant to produce C6, using a homogeneous catalyst technology that it recently developed. Startup of the plant is slated by 2010. The technology integrates the company’s existing olefin polymerization catalyst technologies. The catalyst selectively trimerises ethylene. It demonstrates activity and selectivity that is 600 times superior to that of standard chromium catalysts. The technology is claimed to permit a simple and energy efficient process design. C6 is mainly used as a comonomer for high performance polyethylene (PE), including as a secondary ingredient for the HAO-LL linear low-density PE of Mitsui. Separately, the company plans to concentrate on stepping up catalyst development of its olefins conversion technology, which enables processing of large volumes of ethylene into propylene at its complex in Osaka, Japan. This forms part of an initiative to improve profitability and ease exposure to commodity costs. Chemical Week, 30 Jun 2008, 170 (20), 12 & Press release from: Mitsui Chemicals Inc, Shiodome City Centre, 1-5-2, Higashi-Shimbashi, Tokyo 105 7117, Japan. Website: http:/www.mitsui-chem.co.jp (23 Jun 2008)
New photocatalyst ultra active under visible light
Solazyme produces first algal-based renewable diesel to meet ASTM specifications
Osaka Titanium Technologies plans to begin in 2008 commercial production
Solazyme announced that SoladieselRD, a microalgae-derived
6
renewable diesel, has passed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-975 specifications. SoladieselRD is the first algal-based renewable diesel to meet these standards. In a 100% blend, SoladieselRD has been road tested in a factory standard 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel. The fuel’s chemical composition is identical to that of standard petroleum-based diesel, and SoladieselRD is fully compatible with the existing transportation fuel infrastructure. Solazyme Inc is a synthetic biology company unleashing the power of aquatic microbes to create clean and scalable solutions for biofuel, industrial chemical, and health & wellness markets. Press release from: Solazyme Inc, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. Tel: +1 650 780 4777. Fax: +1 650 989 6700. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.solazyme.com (11 Jun 2008) & ICIS Chemical Business, 16 Jun 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
BASF explores using bacterial surfaces to its advantage BASF is trying to tap biofilms for the production of major compounds through biocatalytic processes. BASF researchers are hoping to substitute the traditional fermentation methods and suspension-based cultures with reactors having biofilms. Some advantages of the process over traditional fermentation are that biofilms are relatively stable, the solution appearing from the other end of the reactor is reasonably biomassfree, and the biofilm can be instantly used as catalyst. Experiments demonstrate that the biofilm systems are stable for over 100 days. Researchers also conducted experiments using biofilms, including the creation of R-2 butanol from a racemic mixture of 2-butanol, and oxidizing ethylene glycol to glycoxylic acid. At present, BASF scientists are trying to raise the concentration of starting materials while sustaining a stable system. They are also working to find the genes that metabolize glycoxylic acid and then employ proteomics to block the procedure and enhance the outcome to 90%. Chemical and Engineering News, 9 Jun 2008, 86 (23), 18 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
AUGUST 2008