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Showa Denko develops Pt-substitute catalysts for fuel cells
F O C U S Detergent Experts). PuraFast is a performance ingredient for laundry detergents to improve cleaning performance in shorter cycle and lower temperature washes. This results in greater convenience for consumers. Studies on European wash cycles validate that using PuraFast also reduces energy and water use. ‘Our slogan is ‘clean clothes, clear conscience’,’ explains Floris Luger, Vice President of Genencor’s Fabric & Household Care business. ‘By reducing the typical wash cycle from more than one hour to as little as half an hour, users can save up to 20% water. PuraFast provides detergent manufacturers with a highly effective ingredient to help consumers achieve optimal results, while also conserving natural resources.’ PuraFast is the latest product introduced to Genencor’s comprehensive portfolio of enzyme solutions for the Fabric and Household Care industry. Press release from: Danisco A/S, Langebrogade 1, 1001 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +45 3266 2000. Website: www.danisco.com (14 Oct 2009) & NP Investor, 14 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.npinvestor.dk/) (in Danish)
LyondellBasell: new Metocene catalyst system LyondellBasell Industries has introduced a new Avant M single-site catalyst family for improving the performance of its Metocene polypropylene production technology system. The catalyst system provides activity in a range of melt flow rates, from very low to very high, thus extending the range of hompolymer, random, and impact copolymer grades. Chemical Fibers International, Oct 2009, 59 (ManMade Fiber Year Book 2009), 31
Oxford Catalysts wins Innovation Award for microchannel F-T Oxford Catalysts, together with its US subsidiary Velocys, is developing a distributed production approach to converting organic materials such as municipal waste into liquid biofuels. A distributed production model locates biofuels production close to the source of waste, thus eliminating carbon emissions associated with the long-distance transportation of bulk
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waste into large-scale plants. Oxford Catalysts’ technology is centred on microchannel reactors and highlyreactive Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) catalysts. Unlike conventional F-T biomass-to-liquid plants that can only process at least 10,000 tonne/day of waste to become feasible, the microchannel reactors are capable of economically processing 500-2000 tonne/day. The technology won for Oxford Catalysts and Velocys the Best Innovation by an SME award at the Innovation Awards 2009. ICIS Chemical Business, 19 Oct 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Showa Denko develops Pt-substitute catalysts for fuel cells Japan-based Showa Denko KK has developed new PEM fuel cell technologies with the support of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The company has developed a titanium oxide-based catalyst and a niobiumoxide based catalyst, which deliver high levels of efficiency. The new catalysts are expected to reduce the cost and lengthen the life of PEM fuel cells because of their lower solubility compared with that of platinum. Apart from the catalysts, the company has also developed a new technology for producing low-cost, lighter-weight carbon separators. The separators are designed to increase the output density of PEM fuel cells. Fuel Cells Bulletin, Sep 2009, 11
Tayca unveils two new photocatalytic titanias Tayca Corp has launched HTPS-01 and VLRT-05, two new additions to its line of photocatalytic titanium dioxide products. HTPS-01 is a clear, watersoluble photocatalytic titanium dioxide solution that is much more transparent than other comparable products. It can boost the transparency feature of coating agents, and does not affect the transparency of base resins. The material can be used on various materials, even glass. VLRT-05 decomposes rapidly under indoor fluorescent light and other kinds of visible light. Japan Chemical Web, 23 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
UOP and Rentech expand alliance to support clean fuels production from syngas UOP LLC has expanded its alliance with Rentech Inc to support clean fuels production, adding UOP gas processing technology for the treatment of synthesis gas, or syngas, from sources such as biomass, natural gas, and coal. The addition of the technology, which is used to cleanse and purify synthesis gas and other gas streams, allows Rentech and UOP to offer clients a one-stop solution to producing, cleaning, and upgrading syngas and then converting it to clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The new offering expands an existing non-exclusive alliance that brought together Rentech’s syngas to hydrocarbon synthesis expertise and UOP’s expertise in hydrocarbon conversion. The alliance leverages the complementary technologies of Rentech and UOP, each of which offers proven solutions in the multistep process needed to economically produce and convert syngas gas to end-use products such as fuels and chemicals. Specifically, Rentech’s technology uses synthesis gas produced from biomass and fossil feedstocks. UOP gas processing technology, now a part of the alliance, can be used to remove impurities from syngas derived from these sources as well as hydrogen-rich streams utilized within the overall plant. The resulting syngas is upgraded to ultra-clean hydrocarbons using Rentech’s proprietary iron catalyst and the purified hydrogen streams are used with UOP’s Unionfining and Unicracking technology to convert the liquid hydrocarbons to high-value naphtha or distillate products, which are used to produce ultra-clean jet and diesel fuel as well as speciality waxes and chemicals. Rentech Inc developed and patented the Rentech Process that transforms under-utilized domestic energy resources into high value clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. 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 (7 Oct 2009) & ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.icischemicalbusiness.com)
DECEMBER 2009
LyondellBasell: new Metocene catalyst system LyondellBasell Industries has introduced a new Avant M single-site catalyst family for improving the performance of its Metocene polypropylene production technology system. The catalyst system provides activity in a range of melt flow rates, from very low to very high, thus extending the range of hompolymer, random, and impact copolymer grades. Chemical Fibers International, Oct 2009, 59 (ManMade Fiber Year Book 2009), 31
Oxford Catalysts wins Innovation Award for microchannel F-T Oxford Catalysts, together with its US subsidiary Velocys, is developing a distributed production approach to converting organic materials such as municipal waste into liquid biofuels. A distributed production model locates biofuels production close to the source of waste, thus eliminating carbon emissions associated with the long-distance transportation of bulk
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waste into large-scale plants. Oxford Catalysts’ technology is centred on microchannel reactors and highlyreactive Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) catalysts. Unlike conventional F-T biomass-to-liquid plants that can only process at least 10,000 tonne/day of waste to become feasible, the microchannel reactors are capable of economically processing 500-2000 tonne/day. The technology won for Oxford Catalysts and Velocys the Best Innovation by an SME award at the Innovation Awards 2009. ICIS Chemical Business, 19 Oct 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Showa Denko develops Pt-substitute catalysts for fuel cells Japan-based Showa Denko KK has developed new PEM fuel cell technologies with the support of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The company has developed a titanium oxide-based catalyst and a niobiumoxide based catalyst, which deliver high levels of efficiency. The new catalysts are expected to reduce the cost and lengthen the life of PEM fuel cells because of their lower solubility compared with that of platinum. Apart from the catalysts, the company has also developed a new technology for producing low-cost, lighter-weight carbon separators. The separators are designed to increase the output density of PEM fuel cells. Fuel Cells Bulletin, Sep 2009, 11
Tayca unveils two new photocatalytic titanias Tayca Corp has launched HTPS-01 and VLRT-05, two new additions to its line of photocatalytic titanium dioxide products. HTPS-01 is a clear, watersoluble photocatalytic titanium dioxide solution that is much more transparent than other comparable products. It can boost the transparency feature of coating agents, and does not affect the transparency of base resins. The material can be used on various materials, even glass. VLRT-05 decomposes rapidly under indoor fluorescent light and other kinds of visible light. Japan Chemical Web, 23 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
UOP and Rentech expand alliance to support clean fuels production from syngas UOP LLC has expanded its alliance with Rentech Inc to support clean fuels production, adding UOP gas processing technology for the treatment of synthesis gas, or syngas, from sources such as biomass, natural gas, and coal. The addition of the technology, which is used to cleanse and purify synthesis gas and other gas streams, allows Rentech and UOP to offer clients a one-stop solution to producing, cleaning, and upgrading syngas and then converting it to clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. The new offering expands an existing non-exclusive alliance that brought together Rentech’s syngas to hydrocarbon synthesis expertise and UOP’s expertise in hydrocarbon conversion. The alliance leverages the complementary technologies of Rentech and UOP, each of which offers proven solutions in the multistep process needed to economically produce and convert syngas gas to end-use products such as fuels and chemicals. Specifically, Rentech’s technology uses synthesis gas produced from biomass and fossil feedstocks. UOP gas processing technology, now a part of the alliance, can be used to remove impurities from syngas derived from these sources as well as hydrogen-rich streams utilized within the overall plant. The resulting syngas is upgraded to ultra-clean hydrocarbons using Rentech’s proprietary iron catalyst and the purified hydrogen streams are used with UOP’s Unionfining and Unicracking technology to convert the liquid hydrocarbons to high-value naphtha or distillate products, which are used to produce ultra-clean jet and diesel fuel as well as speciality waxes and chemicals. Rentech Inc developed and patented the Rentech Process that transforms under-utilized domestic energy resources into high value clean fuels, speciality waxes, and chemicals. 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 (7 Oct 2009) & ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.icischemicalbusiness.com)
DECEMBER 2009