- Email: [email protected]
Süd-Chemie to make biofuel in Bavaria
FOCUS convertible notes in a series of privately-negotiated transactions. As part of these transactions, the Company repurchased $19.9 M in principal amount of its 5.5% Notes and $8.5 M in principal amount of its 9% Notes, leaving an aggregate of $46.3 M in principal amount of 5.5% and 9% Notes outstanding. To effect this repurchase, the Company paid a total of $27.6 M in cash to a group of institutional investors, excluding accrued interest as of the closing date. The Company has repurchased $49.4 M in convertible notes since Sep 2010. Press release from: Verenium Corp, 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Tel: +1 617 674 5300. Website: http://www.verenium.com (11 Mar 2011)
WR Grace enters pharmaceuticals sector via merger with Syntetec WR Grace has signed an agreement to merge with US company Synthetec. The deal (worth an estimated $19.2 M) should be finalized in 4Q 2010. For the year to 31 Mar 2009 Synthetec registered a turnover of $19.8 M. Its turnover for the year to 31 Mar 2010 fell to $15.2 M because of the economic crisis. The company specializes in organic synthesis, biocatalysis, and chiral technologies. It has a factory in Albany, OR, where it produces amino acids, peptides, chiral intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The acquisition will enable WR Grace to expand its operations and give it a foothold on certain pharmaceutical markets. Synthetec already carries out subcontracting work for pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories, as well as for medical devices producers. WR Grace’s interest in Synthetec lies in the latter’s polypropylene catalysts. These will strengthen WR Grace’s business in this sector. Synthetec employs 63 people. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 20 Sep 2010, (521) (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French)
NEW PLANTS Borealis celebrates groundbreaking of new semi-commercial catalyst plant in Linz On 8 Mar 2011, Borealis AG celebrated the groundbreaking of a
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new semi-commercial plant for catalysts in Linz, Austria. With a total investment of approximately €75 M the company is further expanding its innovation capabilities in plastics. The new plant will be used to develop new types of catalysts as well as improve processes for catalyst production. The plant will not only serve research purposes but will also produce commercial batches for Borealis’ locations worldwide. Completion is scheduled for summer 2012. While Borealis is expanding its research capabilities in Linz, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz has also recently established a centre for catalyst and process technology.
and begin construction by year-end. Materia’s new plant will reach initial operating capacity of 10 tonnes by the end of 2012. In addition to catalyst manufacturing, the plant will house research, development, and technical service resources. The Singapore site will be operated and controlled by Materia’s newly formed subsidiary, Materia Singapore Pte Ltd. Materia was founded in 1998 to commercialize olefin metathesis catalyst technology.
Press release from: Borealis AG, IZD Tower, Wagramerstrasse 17-19, A-1220 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 22 400 302. Fax: +43 1 22 400 333. Website: http://www.borealisgroup.com (8 Mar 2011) & Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 14 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)
Idemitsu to build MEK plant in Asia based on eco-friendly process
S Korean site for Albemarle Albemarle is making its largest investment in the rapidly growing Yeosu region in S Korea. The $50-75 M investment will allow the group to meet regional demand for metallocene catalysts for polyolefins. The Yeosu site will be able to provide its first samples for laboratory testing from 2010. Semicommercial operations will begin in mid-2011 and the unit will move on to full commercial production in 2012. It will supply catalysts, catalyst activators (such as methylaluminoxane), and organoboron compounds. It will also supply high purity organometallic compounds for electronics applications and production of trimethyl gallium will begin at start 2011. Albemarle has not disclosed the site’s capacity but has announced that it will eventually employ 60 people (10 of whom will start work before end 2010). Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 20 Sep 2010, (521) (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French)
Materia announces plans for Singapore-based catalyst manufacturing plant Materia announced its plans for opening a catalyst manufacturing and R&D facility in Singapore. The company expects to complete the site selection process in 3Q 2011
Press release from: Materia Inc, 2531, Nina Street, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA. Tel: +1 626 584 8400. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.materia-inc.com) 16 Mar 2011
Idemitsu Kosan has already shortlisted sites in Asia where it will build an 80,000-100,000 tonne/y methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) plant in 2-3 years. The MEK plant will employ a proprietary heteropolyacid-catalyst direct-hydration process, which is claimed to be an eco-friendly method as it eliminates the problems brought about by the use of corrosive sulfuric acid usually related to MEK production. Global MEK demand currently stands at roughly 1.1 M tonne/y. Demand is declining in developed countries, but is expected to expand by 5%/y in Asia. Japan Chemical Web, 4 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
BASF to build sodium methoxide plant BASF has plans to set up a 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide plant at its General Lagos site in Rosario, Argentina. The plant is expected to be finished at end-2013. In Brazil, BASF’s 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide unit in Guaratingueta is slated to come online at end-2011. ICIS Chemical Business, 7 Mar 2011 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Week, 14 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 21 Mar 2011, (6) (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 8 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
Süd-Chemie to make biofuel in Bavaria Süd-Chemie in Munich (now a subsidiary of Swiss Clariant Group)
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FOCUS has been active in the biotechnology segment for several years and developed a process called Sunliquid for making biofuels from renewable agricultural remnants. The company will build the largest plant for the manufacture of second generation bioethanol near the new Bavarian Bio-Campus in Straubing, Germany. The project is subsidised by the German government and represents an investment of ca €28 M; including investments of around €16 M and accompanying research projects of around €12 M. The plant is scheduled to come on-stream at the end of 2011 and will manufacture up to 2000 tonne/y of bioethanol from agricultural remnants such as wheat straw. Chemische Rundschau, Mar 2011, (3), 4-7 (Website: http://www.chemische-rundschau.ch/) (in German)
UPM selects Rauma as possible location for biorefinery in Finland UPM has narrowed its list of possible locations for its planned biorefinery to two: in Rauma, Finland, and Strasbourg, France. The plant will produce second generation biodiesel from energy wood, including logging residues, using gasification and Fischer-Tropsch processes. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. The company will apply for the NER300-grant of the EU for biorefinery investment in France and Finland. Separately, UPM has completed the environmental assessment for a possible liquid biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland that would produce transportation biofuels using bio-based liquids like fats and oils as feedstock. Pulp and Paper International, Feb 2011, 53 (2), 5 (Website: http://www.ppimagazine.com/)
Total signs framework accord for coal-to-olefins jv in China Total, the government of the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, and China Power Investment Corp (CPI) have inked a framework agreement covering a planned coal-based petrochemical project in Inner Mongolia. Total and CPI will hasten completion of a feasibility study on the coal-to-olefins jv at Ordos, Inner Mongolia. The
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integrated complex is expected to require an investment of €2-3 bn ($2.8-4.1 bn) and come online after 2015. It would employ Total’s methanol-to-olefins and olefins cracking process technologies. Chemical Week, 21 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Hydrotreating unit for refinery in Venezuela Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) and the Haldor Topsoe have signed a contract for the Centro de Refinación Paraguaná Project. Hydrotreating units: the contract includes an 85,000 bbl/d hydrotreating unit, which will be the biggest ever designed by Topsoe, and the capacity will correspond to about half of Denmark’s daily consumption of oil. Due to the large capacity of the hydrotreater, the project will include two trains with four hydrotreating reactors in total, which will produce ultra-low sulfur diesel containing less than 10 wt ppm sulfur. The diesel hydrotreater is part of an optimisation project in PDVSA’s largest refining complex in Paraguaná, Falcon State. With the new diesel hydrotreater PDVSA will be able to fulfil new restrictions on sulfur content in diesel both on the local market as well as on the export markets. The diesel product requirements correspond to the strict Euro V specifications. Topsoe will supply an engineering design package for the hydrotreaters. Erection of the unit is expected to commence in 2014 and PDVSA expect to begin production by the end of 2015. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (17 Mar 2011)
Evonik to build biodiesel catalyst plant in Argentina Evonik Industries is planning to build a new plant to produce catalysts for the manufacture of biodiesel in Argentina. Basic engineering for this plant, which will have capacity of over 60,000 tonne/y, has been completed and construction work is expected to start in Jul 2011. Completion of project is set for the end of 2012 at the latest,
and the plant will produce ready-touse alcoholates for use as catalysts in the production of biodiesel from renewable raw materials. The project is still contingent on the approval of the relevant authorities. The new plant will supply the South America region, especially Argentina and Brazil. It will be located in Puerto General San Martin, in the Rosario region, at the heart of Argentina’s biodiesel industry. Press release from: Evonik Industries AG, Rellinghauser Strasse 1-11 45128, Essen, Germany. Website: http://www.evonik.com (29 Mar 2011)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Novozymes’ enzymes to enhance North Sea oil production According to the director of the Center for Energy Resources at DTU, oil production in the Danish sector of the North Sea will become more efficient thanks to the use of enzymes. By far the greatest bulk of the oil cannot be retrieved using existing methods, but enzymes could provide the future solution to this problem. On 22 Mar 2011 a new collaboration was established between Novozymes, Maersk Olie og Gas, and DONG Energy, as well as DTU, Roskilde Universitet, and Teknologisk Institut. Initially the participants will determine which enzyme effects they want to develop further. NP Investor, 23 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.npinvestor.dk/) (in Danish)
Dyadic International introduces advanced biofuels enzyme AlternaFuel CMAX at Rotterdam exhibition Dyadic International Inc (Dyadic) announced the introduction of its most advanced biofuels enzyme, AlternaFuel CMAX, at the World Biofuels Markets exhibition in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Dyadic has recently completed its scale-up of AlternaFuel CMAX which was derived from Dyadic’s proprietary and patented C1 platform technology. AlternaFuel CMAX has proven to be effective in converting multiple forms of biomass into
MAY 2011
WR Grace enters pharmaceuticals sector via merger with Syntetec WR Grace has signed an agreement to merge with US company Synthetec. The deal (worth an estimated $19.2 M) should be finalized in 4Q 2010. For the year to 31 Mar 2009 Synthetec registered a turnover of $19.8 M. Its turnover for the year to 31 Mar 2010 fell to $15.2 M because of the economic crisis. The company specializes in organic synthesis, biocatalysis, and chiral technologies. It has a factory in Albany, OR, where it produces amino acids, peptides, chiral intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The acquisition will enable WR Grace to expand its operations and give it a foothold on certain pharmaceutical markets. Synthetec already carries out subcontracting work for pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories, as well as for medical devices producers. WR Grace’s interest in Synthetec lies in the latter’s polypropylene catalysts. These will strengthen WR Grace’s business in this sector. Synthetec employs 63 people. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 20 Sep 2010, (521) (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French)
NEW PLANTS Borealis celebrates groundbreaking of new semi-commercial catalyst plant in Linz On 8 Mar 2011, Borealis AG celebrated the groundbreaking of a
MAY 2011
ON
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new semi-commercial plant for catalysts in Linz, Austria. With a total investment of approximately €75 M the company is further expanding its innovation capabilities in plastics. The new plant will be used to develop new types of catalysts as well as improve processes for catalyst production. The plant will not only serve research purposes but will also produce commercial batches for Borealis’ locations worldwide. Completion is scheduled for summer 2012. While Borealis is expanding its research capabilities in Linz, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz has also recently established a centre for catalyst and process technology.
and begin construction by year-end. Materia’s new plant will reach initial operating capacity of 10 tonnes by the end of 2012. In addition to catalyst manufacturing, the plant will house research, development, and technical service resources. The Singapore site will be operated and controlled by Materia’s newly formed subsidiary, Materia Singapore Pte Ltd. Materia was founded in 1998 to commercialize olefin metathesis catalyst technology.
Press release from: Borealis AG, IZD Tower, Wagramerstrasse 17-19, A-1220 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 22 400 302. Fax: +43 1 22 400 333. Website: http://www.borealisgroup.com (8 Mar 2011) & Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 14 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)
Idemitsu to build MEK plant in Asia based on eco-friendly process
S Korean site for Albemarle Albemarle is making its largest investment in the rapidly growing Yeosu region in S Korea. The $50-75 M investment will allow the group to meet regional demand for metallocene catalysts for polyolefins. The Yeosu site will be able to provide its first samples for laboratory testing from 2010. Semicommercial operations will begin in mid-2011 and the unit will move on to full commercial production in 2012. It will supply catalysts, catalyst activators (such as methylaluminoxane), and organoboron compounds. It will also supply high purity organometallic compounds for electronics applications and production of trimethyl gallium will begin at start 2011. Albemarle has not disclosed the site’s capacity but has announced that it will eventually employ 60 people (10 of whom will start work before end 2010). Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 20 Sep 2010, (521) (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French)
Materia announces plans for Singapore-based catalyst manufacturing plant Materia announced its plans for opening a catalyst manufacturing and R&D facility in Singapore. The company expects to complete the site selection process in 3Q 2011
Press release from: Materia Inc, 2531, Nina Street, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA. Tel: +1 626 584 8400. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.materia-inc.com) 16 Mar 2011
Idemitsu Kosan has already shortlisted sites in Asia where it will build an 80,000-100,000 tonne/y methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) plant in 2-3 years. The MEK plant will employ a proprietary heteropolyacid-catalyst direct-hydration process, which is claimed to be an eco-friendly method as it eliminates the problems brought about by the use of corrosive sulfuric acid usually related to MEK production. Global MEK demand currently stands at roughly 1.1 M tonne/y. Demand is declining in developed countries, but is expected to expand by 5%/y in Asia. Japan Chemical Web, 4 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
BASF to build sodium methoxide plant BASF has plans to set up a 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide plant at its General Lagos site in Rosario, Argentina. The plant is expected to be finished at end-2013. In Brazil, BASF’s 60,000 tonne/y sodium methoxide unit in Guaratingueta is slated to come online at end-2011. ICIS Chemical Business, 7 Mar 2011 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chemical Week, 14 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com) & Chemistry and Industry (London), 21 Mar 2011, (6) (Website: http://www.chemind.org) & Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 8 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
Süd-Chemie to make biofuel in Bavaria Süd-Chemie in Munich (now a subsidiary of Swiss Clariant Group)
5
FOCUS has been active in the biotechnology segment for several years and developed a process called Sunliquid for making biofuels from renewable agricultural remnants. The company will build the largest plant for the manufacture of second generation bioethanol near the new Bavarian Bio-Campus in Straubing, Germany. The project is subsidised by the German government and represents an investment of ca €28 M; including investments of around €16 M and accompanying research projects of around €12 M. The plant is scheduled to come on-stream at the end of 2011 and will manufacture up to 2000 tonne/y of bioethanol from agricultural remnants such as wheat straw. Chemische Rundschau, Mar 2011, (3), 4-7 (Website: http://www.chemische-rundschau.ch/) (in German)
UPM selects Rauma as possible location for biorefinery in Finland UPM has narrowed its list of possible locations for its planned biorefinery to two: in Rauma, Finland, and Strasbourg, France. The plant will produce second generation biodiesel from energy wood, including logging residues, using gasification and Fischer-Tropsch processes. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. The company will apply for the NER300-grant of the EU for biorefinery investment in France and Finland. Separately, UPM has completed the environmental assessment for a possible liquid biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland that would produce transportation biofuels using bio-based liquids like fats and oils as feedstock. Pulp and Paper International, Feb 2011, 53 (2), 5 (Website: http://www.ppimagazine.com/)
Total signs framework accord for coal-to-olefins jv in China Total, the government of the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, and China Power Investment Corp (CPI) have inked a framework agreement covering a planned coal-based petrochemical project in Inner Mongolia. Total and CPI will hasten completion of a feasibility study on the coal-to-olefins jv at Ordos, Inner Mongolia. The
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integrated complex is expected to require an investment of €2-3 bn ($2.8-4.1 bn) and come online after 2015. It would employ Total’s methanol-to-olefins and olefins cracking process technologies. Chemical Week, 21 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Hydrotreating unit for refinery in Venezuela Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) and the Haldor Topsoe have signed a contract for the Centro de Refinación Paraguaná Project. Hydrotreating units: the contract includes an 85,000 bbl/d hydrotreating unit, which will be the biggest ever designed by Topsoe, and the capacity will correspond to about half of Denmark’s daily consumption of oil. Due to the large capacity of the hydrotreater, the project will include two trains with four hydrotreating reactors in total, which will produce ultra-low sulfur diesel containing less than 10 wt ppm sulfur. The diesel hydrotreater is part of an optimisation project in PDVSA’s largest refining complex in Paraguaná, Falcon State. With the new diesel hydrotreater PDVSA will be able to fulfil new restrictions on sulfur content in diesel both on the local market as well as on the export markets. The diesel product requirements correspond to the strict Euro V specifications. Topsoe will supply an engineering design package for the hydrotreaters. Erection of the unit is expected to commence in 2014 and PDVSA expect to begin production by the end of 2015. Press release from: Haldor Topsoe A/S, Nymollevej 55, PO Box 213, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Tel: +45 4527 2000. Fax: +45 4527 2999. Website: http://www.haldortopsoe.com (17 Mar 2011)
Evonik to build biodiesel catalyst plant in Argentina Evonik Industries is planning to build a new plant to produce catalysts for the manufacture of biodiesel in Argentina. Basic engineering for this plant, which will have capacity of over 60,000 tonne/y, has been completed and construction work is expected to start in Jul 2011. Completion of project is set for the end of 2012 at the latest,
and the plant will produce ready-touse alcoholates for use as catalysts in the production of biodiesel from renewable raw materials. The project is still contingent on the approval of the relevant authorities. The new plant will supply the South America region, especially Argentina and Brazil. It will be located in Puerto General San Martin, in the Rosario region, at the heart of Argentina’s biodiesel industry. Press release from: Evonik Industries AG, Rellinghauser Strasse 1-11 45128, Essen, Germany. Website: http://www.evonik.com (29 Mar 2011)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Novozymes’ enzymes to enhance North Sea oil production According to the director of the Center for Energy Resources at DTU, oil production in the Danish sector of the North Sea will become more efficient thanks to the use of enzymes. By far the greatest bulk of the oil cannot be retrieved using existing methods, but enzymes could provide the future solution to this problem. On 22 Mar 2011 a new collaboration was established between Novozymes, Maersk Olie og Gas, and DONG Energy, as well as DTU, Roskilde Universitet, and Teknologisk Institut. Initially the participants will determine which enzyme effects they want to develop further. NP Investor, 23 Mar 2011 (Website: http://www.npinvestor.dk/) (in Danish)
Dyadic International introduces advanced biofuels enzyme AlternaFuel CMAX at Rotterdam exhibition Dyadic International Inc (Dyadic) announced the introduction of its most advanced biofuels enzyme, AlternaFuel CMAX, at the World Biofuels Markets exhibition in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Dyadic has recently completed its scale-up of AlternaFuel CMAX which was derived from Dyadic’s proprietary and patented C1 platform technology. AlternaFuel CMAX has proven to be effective in converting multiple forms of biomass into
MAY 2011