- Email: [email protected]
Süd-Chemie buys diesel technology
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Degussa to invest in R&D centre in Mumbai
was not revealed, it is thought to be in the region of €520 M.
The Exclusive Synthesis & Catalysts business unit of Germany based Degussa AG is setting up a R&D laboratory near Mumbai to carry out contract research for lab and kilo-lab samples and develop syntheses and processes for the Exclusive Synthesis business line during 2005. Degussa will invest €1 M for Phase I development with the installation of the analytical and kilolab equipment in a 7000 sq ft facility. The company will appoint 15-20 chemists and technicians by the end of 2005. Degussa’s Exclusive Synthesis & Catalysts business unit focuses on the custom manufacturing of chemical catalysts, advanced pharmaceutical intermediates, and APIs.
Speciality Chemicals, Jan/Feb 2005, 25 (1), 8 & Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Feb 2005, 21 (2), 22
Chemical Weekly, 15 Feb 2005, 50 (26), 171
Mitsui Chemicals Responsible Care Report 2004: making way for the future through catalysis science For its fiscal 2004, Mitsui Chemicals has reported on the activities of its Catalysis Science laboratory, located at Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. There is detailed discussion of the development of processes to produce deoxynucleotides (organic synthesis followed by biocatalysis) and for the catalytic decomposition of dioxins (vanadyl sulfate catalyst). Mitsui Chemicals Responsible Care Report 2004, 3 Feb 2005, 9-10 (Mitsui Chemicals, Shiodome City Centre, 1-5-2, Higashi-Shimbashi, Tokyo 105 7117, Japan. Website: http:/www.mitsui-chem.co.jp)
Süd-Chemie buys diesel technology Wacker-Chemie has sold its technology for making diesel exhaust catalysts to Süd-Chemie. Süd-Chemie will use the technology to enhance its operations in diesel engine exhaust gas cleaning and will cooperate with vehicle manufacturers to develop products. The deal consolidates the company’s position in a market where it competes with Rhodia. The German government is promoting vehicles with low exhaust gas and carbon particulate emissions. European Chemical News, 14 Feb 2005, 82 (2134), 27 & Chemical Week, 9 Feb 2005, 167 (5) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Feb 2005, (286), 11 (in French) & Press release from: Wacker-Chemie GmbH, Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 6279 1830. Fax: +49 89 6279 1239. Website: http://www.wacker.com (3 Feb 2005)
NEW PLANTS Zeolyst International expanding capacity
Engelhard 4Q Report 2004: condensed consolidated statements of earnings – 4Q 2004 For its 4Q 2004 (ends 31 Dec 2004), Engelhard Corp has reported sales of $1016 M ($1039 M for its 4Q 2003), operating income of $62.2 M ($71.6 M), net income of $58.1 M ($63.6 M), and EPS of $0.48 ($0.51). There is analysis/discussion of the results. Engelhard 4Q Report 2004, 8 Feb 2005, 1-3 (Engelhard Corporation, 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, NJ 08830, USA. Tel: +1 732 205 5000. Website: http://www.engelhard.com)
Steady profits for Engelhard Engelhard, the US catalysts producer, has reported a 12% increase in sales to $4.2 bn in 2004 and net earnings that were flat at $234 M. European Chemical News, 14 Feb 2005, 82 (2134), 6
JP Morgan buys PQ JP Morgan Partners has bought PQ Corp, a privately owned manufacturer of sodium and magnesium silicates, zeolites, and other performance materials for use in catalysts, detergents, water treatment, pulp and paper, and other markets. PQ generates sales of around €445 M/y. Although the price of the acquisition
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Novozymes in 2004 Novozymes reported a 4% rise in sales for 2004 to DKR 6024 M. Operating profit increased by 11% to DKR 1090 M, while net financial costs were DKR 9 M. Net profits rose by 8% to DKR 782 M. Sales of technical enzymes increased by 2%, reduced by less favourable exchange rates, and sales to the detergent industry were 1% lower than for 2003. Food enzyme sales increased by 2%. Sales to the baking industry were affected by lower bread consumption in the USA while sales of enzymes to the brewing industry rose. Both trends have been driven by the US Atkins diet. Feed enzyme sales rose by 15%, significantly reduced by exchange rate impacts. Sales of microorganisms rose by 14%, primarily within the markets for cleaning and plant care. No acquisitions were made in 2004. ROIC is now in excess of the longterm target, having risen from 15% in 2003 to 17.3% in 2004. For 2005, Novozymes anticipates sales growth of 4%, with a 6% increase in operating profit. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Feb 2005, (1), 6-7 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Zeolyst International is increasing capacity of its speciality zeolite plant at Kansas City, with completion expected by the end of 2005. Chemical and Engineering News, 14 Feb 2005, 83 (7), 14 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & European Chemical News, 21 Feb 2005, 82 (2135), 23
PetroChina selects UOP’s distillate unionfining technology for new hydrotreater PetroChina Co Ltd has selected UOP LLC’s distillate unionfining technology for a new hydrotreating unit to be constructed at Dushanzi, People’s Republic of China. Basic engineering design of the unit is underway and commissioning is scheduled for 2007. This project is a part of a refinery expansion to 200,000 BPSD capacity. The distillate unionfining unit will be designed to produce low sulfur diesel product from about 66,000 BPSD of straight run distillate feedstock. PetroChina Co Ltd, one of the largest companies in the PRC in terms of sales, is engaged in a broad range of activities related to petroleum and natural gas, including oil and gas exploration, transmission and sale of natural gas, refining, and chemicals production and sales. Press release from: UOP LLC, 25 East Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017, USA. Tel: +1 847 391 2000. Website: http://www.uop.com (1 Mar 2005)
APRIL 2005
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Degussa to invest in R&D centre in Mumbai
was not revealed, it is thought to be in the region of €520 M.
The Exclusive Synthesis & Catalysts business unit of Germany based Degussa AG is setting up a R&D laboratory near Mumbai to carry out contract research for lab and kilo-lab samples and develop syntheses and processes for the Exclusive Synthesis business line during 2005. Degussa will invest €1 M for Phase I development with the installation of the analytical and kilolab equipment in a 7000 sq ft facility. The company will appoint 15-20 chemists and technicians by the end of 2005. Degussa’s Exclusive Synthesis & Catalysts business unit focuses on the custom manufacturing of chemical catalysts, advanced pharmaceutical intermediates, and APIs.
Speciality Chemicals, Jan/Feb 2005, 25 (1), 8 & Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Feb 2005, 21 (2), 22
Chemical Weekly, 15 Feb 2005, 50 (26), 171
Mitsui Chemicals Responsible Care Report 2004: making way for the future through catalysis science For its fiscal 2004, Mitsui Chemicals has reported on the activities of its Catalysis Science laboratory, located at Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. There is detailed discussion of the development of processes to produce deoxynucleotides (organic synthesis followed by biocatalysis) and for the catalytic decomposition of dioxins (vanadyl sulfate catalyst). Mitsui Chemicals Responsible Care Report 2004, 3 Feb 2005, 9-10 (Mitsui Chemicals, Shiodome City Centre, 1-5-2, Higashi-Shimbashi, Tokyo 105 7117, Japan. Website: http:/www.mitsui-chem.co.jp)
Süd-Chemie buys diesel technology Wacker-Chemie has sold its technology for making diesel exhaust catalysts to Süd-Chemie. Süd-Chemie will use the technology to enhance its operations in diesel engine exhaust gas cleaning and will cooperate with vehicle manufacturers to develop products. The deal consolidates the company’s position in a market where it competes with Rhodia. The German government is promoting vehicles with low exhaust gas and carbon particulate emissions. European Chemical News, 14 Feb 2005, 82 (2134), 27 & Chemical Week, 9 Feb 2005, 167 (5) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Feb 2005, (286), 11 (in French) & Press release from: Wacker-Chemie GmbH, Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 6279 1830. Fax: +49 89 6279 1239. Website: http://www.wacker.com (3 Feb 2005)
NEW PLANTS Zeolyst International expanding capacity
Engelhard 4Q Report 2004: condensed consolidated statements of earnings – 4Q 2004 For its 4Q 2004 (ends 31 Dec 2004), Engelhard Corp has reported sales of $1016 M ($1039 M for its 4Q 2003), operating income of $62.2 M ($71.6 M), net income of $58.1 M ($63.6 M), and EPS of $0.48 ($0.51). There is analysis/discussion of the results. Engelhard 4Q Report 2004, 8 Feb 2005, 1-3 (Engelhard Corporation, 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, NJ 08830, USA. Tel: +1 732 205 5000. Website: http://www.engelhard.com)
Steady profits for Engelhard Engelhard, the US catalysts producer, has reported a 12% increase in sales to $4.2 bn in 2004 and net earnings that were flat at $234 M. European Chemical News, 14 Feb 2005, 82 (2134), 6
JP Morgan buys PQ JP Morgan Partners has bought PQ Corp, a privately owned manufacturer of sodium and magnesium silicates, zeolites, and other performance materials for use in catalysts, detergents, water treatment, pulp and paper, and other markets. PQ generates sales of around €445 M/y. Although the price of the acquisition
4
Novozymes in 2004 Novozymes reported a 4% rise in sales for 2004 to DKR 6024 M. Operating profit increased by 11% to DKR 1090 M, while net financial costs were DKR 9 M. Net profits rose by 8% to DKR 782 M. Sales of technical enzymes increased by 2%, reduced by less favourable exchange rates, and sales to the detergent industry were 1% lower than for 2003. Food enzyme sales increased by 2%. Sales to the baking industry were affected by lower bread consumption in the USA while sales of enzymes to the brewing industry rose. Both trends have been driven by the US Atkins diet. Feed enzyme sales rose by 15%, significantly reduced by exchange rate impacts. Sales of microorganisms rose by 14%, primarily within the markets for cleaning and plant care. No acquisitions were made in 2004. ROIC is now in excess of the longterm target, having risen from 15% in 2003 to 17.3% in 2004. For 2005, Novozymes anticipates sales growth of 4%, with a 6% increase in operating profit. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Feb 2005, (1), 6-7 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Zeolyst International is increasing capacity of its speciality zeolite plant at Kansas City, with completion expected by the end of 2005. Chemical and Engineering News, 14 Feb 2005, 83 (7), 14 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & European Chemical News, 21 Feb 2005, 82 (2135), 23
PetroChina selects UOP’s distillate unionfining technology for new hydrotreater PetroChina Co Ltd has selected UOP LLC’s distillate unionfining technology for a new hydrotreating unit to be constructed at Dushanzi, People’s Republic of China. Basic engineering design of the unit is underway and commissioning is scheduled for 2007. This project is a part of a refinery expansion to 200,000 BPSD capacity. The distillate unionfining unit will be designed to produce low sulfur diesel product from about 66,000 BPSD of straight run distillate feedstock. PetroChina Co Ltd, one of the largest companies in the PRC in terms of sales, is engaged in a broad range of activities related to petroleum and natural gas, including oil and gas exploration, transmission and sale of natural gas, refining, and chemicals production and sales. Press release from: UOP LLC, 25 East Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017, USA. Tel: +1 847 391 2000. Website: http://www.uop.com (1 Mar 2005)
APRIL 2005