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Scientific Design takeover approved
F O C U S 2002-2003 ($29.1 M in 3Q 2001-2002). The company recorded a net loss of $375,000 for 3Q 2002-2003 (net income of $1.19 M in 3Q 2001-2002). The $375,000 loss experienced for 3Q 2002-2003 was due to lower overall revenue and in particular lower revenue from the company’s Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems business unit, which is resulting from reduced new power plant construction and delays of existing projects. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Peerless Mfg Co is engaged in the business of designing, engineering, manufacturing, and selling highly specialized products used for the abatement of air pollution, and products for separating and filtering contaminants from gases and liquids. Peerless Mfg 3Q and nine months of 2002-2003 results, 14 May 2003 (Peerless Mfg Co, 2819, Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, USA. Tel: +1 214 357 6181. Website: http://www.peerlessmfg.com)
Scientific Design takeover approved The purchase of the US company Scientific Design by Süd-Chemie and Saudi Basic Industries (Sabic) has been approved by the European Commission. An equally-owned jv will be established by these two companies to operate Scientific Design which will continue to operate independently. Scientific Design, a subsidiary of Linde, manufactures catalysts and chemicals production equipment. European Chemical News, 26 May 2003, 78 (2054), 21 & Asian Chemical News, 19/26 May 2003, 9 (402), 8
Shell Chemical results: Shell in red as US losses grow: 1Q 2003 Following a large increase in losses by its US operations, a loss of $15 M was recorded by Shell Chemicals in 1Q 2003. There was a very large restructuring charge taken at CRI International, the catalyst operations. In 1Q 2002, the company recorded a US profit of $75 M. In 1Q 2002, Shell’s losses in the US amounted to $20 M and these have increased to $211 M in 1Q 2003. Outside the US, the company recorded operating profits of $196 M, twice those of the previous year. The chemicals division recorded a 69% increase in sales to $3.92 bn. European Chemical News, 12 May 2003, 78 (2052), 8
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Superior MicroPowders acquired by Cabot Cabot Corp has purchased the assets of Superior MicroPowders LLC, a privately held company located in Albuquerque, NM. Superior MicroPowders is an advanced materials development and manufacturing company with proprietary nano- and micro-powder production systems and manufacturing capability. While in the development stage, Superior MicroPowders has been working with several major companies to develop particle applications for use in the electronics, fuel cell, display, and other markets. The purchase price for the acquisition was about $16 M. Cabot believes that a significant portion of the purchase price will be allocated to in-process R&D which is required to be immediately charged to expenses. Barry Neal has been named General Manager of the Superior MicroPowders organization. Press release from: Cabot Corp, Two Seaport Lane, Suite 1300, Boston, MA 02210-2019, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100. Fax: +1 617 342 6103. Website: http://www.cabot-corp.com (2 Jun 2003)
Süd-Chemie 2002: catalysts For its fiscal 2002, the Catalysts division of the Süd-Chemie Group has reported sales of €303.6 M. There is an extensive business review of the division, covering: overview, catalytic technologies (olefins, styrene, syngas, zeolites, special & custom catalysts), and refinery catalysts (air purification, fuel-cell systems, and water treatment). Süd-Chemie Annual Report 2002, 28 Feb 2003, 22-27 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375 Website: sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie and Choren produce renewable synthetic fuels Süd-Chemie AG of Munich, Germany and Choren Industries GmbH of Freiberg, Germany have formed an alliance to produce fuel from regenerative resources utilising SüdChemie’s catalysts and Choren’s Carbo-V gasification process. The Carbo-V process produces synthesis gas derived from energy and wood straw plants. Under the deal, Choren will process this syngas utilising Süd-
Chimie’s catalysts to produce synthetic fuels, which can be carried in liquid form into renewable, synthetic fuels such as diesel and methanol. Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 19
Symyx, BP announce R&D collaboration Symyx Technologies and BP have announced a two-year R&D collaboration for discovering catalysts used in the production of some commodity chemicals. Under the terms of the collaboration, BP will invest for the discovery activities and also own exclusive commercialisation rights for the products discovered. Chemical Engineering World, Apr 2003, 38 (4), 20
Syntroleum commissions GTL reactor Syntroleum Corp put on stream its new 3.0 bbl/day advanced reactor unit, which offers enhanced efficiency in processing natural gas into liquid hydrocarbons. The new facility uses the firm’s patented technology, including multistage slurry reactors with proprietary cobalt catalysts fed by an air-based synthesis gas system. The technology is intended to support front-end engineering design activities for licensees working on particular GTL plant projects. The $5 M facility is incorporated into the firm’s existing pilot facilities in Tulsa, OK. It will also enable the firm to conduct parametric studies for clients and engineering contractors who are involved in developing commercial GTL facilities. The facility will also permit testing and qualification for commercial-sized batches of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Hydrocarbon Processing, Apr 2003, 82 (4), 33 & Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 18
WR Grace 1Q 2003: Financial highlights For its 1Q 2003 (ends 31 Mar 2003), WR Grace & Co have reported sales of $445 M ($413 M in 1Q 2002), R&D costs of $14.1 M ($12.8 M), operating income of $3.7 M ($26.4 M), a net loss of $2.3 M (net income of $12.4 M), and a net loss per share of $0.04 (EPS of $0.19). There is a detailed analysis of the results, including subsidiary Davison Chemicals
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Scientific Design takeover approved The purchase of the US company Scientific Design by Süd-Chemie and Saudi Basic Industries (Sabic) has been approved by the European Commission. An equally-owned jv will be established by these two companies to operate Scientific Design which will continue to operate independently. Scientific Design, a subsidiary of Linde, manufactures catalysts and chemicals production equipment. European Chemical News, 26 May 2003, 78 (2054), 21 & Asian Chemical News, 19/26 May 2003, 9 (402), 8
Shell Chemical results: Shell in red as US losses grow: 1Q 2003 Following a large increase in losses by its US operations, a loss of $15 M was recorded by Shell Chemicals in 1Q 2003. There was a very large restructuring charge taken at CRI International, the catalyst operations. In 1Q 2002, the company recorded a US profit of $75 M. In 1Q 2002, Shell’s losses in the US amounted to $20 M and these have increased to $211 M in 1Q 2003. Outside the US, the company recorded operating profits of $196 M, twice those of the previous year. The chemicals division recorded a 69% increase in sales to $3.92 bn. European Chemical News, 12 May 2003, 78 (2052), 8
JULY 2003
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Superior MicroPowders acquired by Cabot Cabot Corp has purchased the assets of Superior MicroPowders LLC, a privately held company located in Albuquerque, NM. Superior MicroPowders is an advanced materials development and manufacturing company with proprietary nano- and micro-powder production systems and manufacturing capability. While in the development stage, Superior MicroPowders has been working with several major companies to develop particle applications for use in the electronics, fuel cell, display, and other markets. The purchase price for the acquisition was about $16 M. Cabot believes that a significant portion of the purchase price will be allocated to in-process R&D which is required to be immediately charged to expenses. Barry Neal has been named General Manager of the Superior MicroPowders organization. Press release from: Cabot Corp, Two Seaport Lane, Suite 1300, Boston, MA 02210-2019, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100. Fax: +1 617 342 6103. Website: http://www.cabot-corp.com (2 Jun 2003)
Süd-Chemie 2002: catalysts For its fiscal 2002, the Catalysts division of the Süd-Chemie Group has reported sales of €303.6 M. There is an extensive business review of the division, covering: overview, catalytic technologies (olefins, styrene, syngas, zeolites, special & custom catalysts), and refinery catalysts (air purification, fuel-cell systems, and water treatment). Süd-Chemie Annual Report 2002, 28 Feb 2003, 22-27 (Süd-Chemie AG, Lenbachplatz 6, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 51100. Fax: +49 89 5110375 Website: sud-chemie.com)
Süd-Chemie and Choren produce renewable synthetic fuels Süd-Chemie AG of Munich, Germany and Choren Industries GmbH of Freiberg, Germany have formed an alliance to produce fuel from regenerative resources utilising SüdChemie’s catalysts and Choren’s Carbo-V gasification process. The Carbo-V process produces synthesis gas derived from energy and wood straw plants. Under the deal, Choren will process this syngas utilising Süd-
Chimie’s catalysts to produce synthetic fuels, which can be carried in liquid form into renewable, synthetic fuels such as diesel and methanol. Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 19
Symyx, BP announce R&D collaboration Symyx Technologies and BP have announced a two-year R&D collaboration for discovering catalysts used in the production of some commodity chemicals. Under the terms of the collaboration, BP will invest for the discovery activities and also own exclusive commercialisation rights for the products discovered. Chemical Engineering World, Apr 2003, 38 (4), 20
Syntroleum commissions GTL reactor Syntroleum Corp put on stream its new 3.0 bbl/day advanced reactor unit, which offers enhanced efficiency in processing natural gas into liquid hydrocarbons. The new facility uses the firm’s patented technology, including multistage slurry reactors with proprietary cobalt catalysts fed by an air-based synthesis gas system. The technology is intended to support front-end engineering design activities for licensees working on particular GTL plant projects. The $5 M facility is incorporated into the firm’s existing pilot facilities in Tulsa, OK. It will also enable the firm to conduct parametric studies for clients and engineering contractors who are involved in developing commercial GTL facilities. The facility will also permit testing and qualification for commercial-sized batches of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Hydrocarbon Processing, Apr 2003, 82 (4), 33 & Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 18
WR Grace 1Q 2003: Financial highlights For its 1Q 2003 (ends 31 Mar 2003), WR Grace & Co have reported sales of $445 M ($413 M in 1Q 2002), R&D costs of $14.1 M ($12.8 M), operating income of $3.7 M ($26.4 M), a net loss of $2.3 M (net income of $12.4 M), and a net loss per share of $0.04 (EPS of $0.19). There is a detailed analysis of the results, including subsidiary Davison Chemicals
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