- Email: [email protected]
Sustainable strategies: focus on bioplastics
FOCUS Applying metabolic engineering to boost
yields from microorganisms capable of converting methane into chemicals with no carbon dioxide production; Investigating processes that couple biocatalysis with electrocatalysis to convert methane to chemicals without carbon dioxide or water production. Identifying single-site catalysts that enable continuous conversion of methane to methanol; and Studying metal-organic frameworks as potential solutions to the challenges of separating products from reactants in an energy- and cost-efficient manner. Finally, the workshop organizers concluded that there remain significant incentives for finding new catalysts for existing processes such as propane dehydrogenation and methane aromatization that exhibit higher stability and selectivity with fewer byproducts than what is currently available. The preliminary report can be downloaded from the URL address provided in reference [3]. [1] American Chemistry Council. "Shale gas, competitiveness, and new US chemical industry investment: An analysis based on announced projects." (Website:https://www. americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/ Shale-Gas/Slides-Shale-Gas-and-NewUS-Chemical-Industry-Investment.pdf). © American Chemistry Council, 2016. [2] American Chemistry Council, "The rising competitive advantage of U.S. plastics." Washington, DC, (Website:https://www. americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/ Shale-Gas/Slides-Shale-Gas-and-NewUS-Chemical-Industry-Investment.pdf) © American Chemistry Council, 2016. [3] J. Alper (Rapporteur), "The Changing Landscape of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks for Chemical Production: Implications for Catalysis: Proceedings of a Workshop," The National Academies Press, Washington DC., August 2016 (Website: http://www.nap.edu/ catalog/23555/the-changing-landscape-ofhydrocarbon-feedstocks-for-chemicalproduction-implications) © National Academy of Sciences, 2016.
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Innovation and R&D move eastwards There are indications of a shift in chemical research and development (R&D) expenditure from the EU and the US towards emerging markets, particularly China, India, the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Data from the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) showed a 44% increase in GCC's share in the global chemical R&D spending in 2014. Over 40% of chemicals R&D investment in 2015 was spent in Asia. According to Arthur D Little, R&D expenditure could exceed €25
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bn in China by 2020, while outlays in the EU increase by only €9 bn. China is presently the biggest chemical market in terms of sales and market share. China accounted for 9% of the worldwide chemical market in 2003, but the share had soared to more than 30% by 2013. In the same period, Europe's share fell from around 30% to below 20%. China spent roughly €1.5 bn for chemical R&D in 2003, and is estimated to reach €10–11 bn in 2016. Meanwhile, approximately 50% of BASF's R&D will be executed outside of Europe by 2020, with 25% to take place in Asia Pacific. For DuPont, nine of its 12 innovation centres are located in the emerging markets. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 1521 Aug 2016, 290 (5), 38-39 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2016.
Biojet fuel innovations to be key for meeting aviation industry’s CO2 emissions target As reported by Lux Research, the global drive to limiting CO2 emissions of the aviation sector from 2.1 bn tonnes to 0.2 bn tonnes will be spearheaded by innovations in bio-based jet fuels, accounting for 56% of the volume. The biojet fuel market will reach $300 bn by 2050, led by companies like Ensyn, Honeywell UOP, Licella, Neste, Renewable Energy Group and UPM. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 2 Aug 2016, 179 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Sustainable strategies: focus on bioplastics Some of the recent developments in bioplastics are detailed. Dutch firm Avantium is now generating several tonnes per year of an emerging bio-based polymer known as PEF at a pilot facility in Geleen. PEF is a polyester with properties better than those of PET. Its oxygen and CO2 barrier is 10 times that of PET while moisture barrier is at least twice as good. Together with a biaxial film company, Avantium has created a line of oriented packaging films on a continuous line. Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have prepared a food packaging material made from chitosanbased composite film with grapefruit seed extract (GFSE). The new product can slow bacterial and fungal growth, extending the shelf-life of perishable foods by 100%. Corbion will establish a 75,000-tonne/y PLA plant in Thailand. It already has finalized pre-engineering of the project and is now proceeding to the basic-engineering stage. Start-up date of the plant is expected in 2H
2018. Corbion will also expand its existing lactide unit in the country by 25,000 tonnes/ y. The PLA project will need an investment of €65 M, while the expansion project will require €20 M. Novamont and French film manufacturer Barbier will jointly create new bags out of renewable resources for vegetables and fruits. Ma-Ter-Bio is 100% compostable and derived from locally sourced sunflower oil and starch. Its renewable content is at least 35% but can be raised to more than 50%. Novamont's Mater-Bi line of bioplastics has a production capacity of 150,000 tonnes/y. Barbier offers polyethylene sheeting for agriculture and industry, as well as bags for supermarkets. It has created products using biodegradable/compostable and recycled materials. Original Source: Film and Sheet Extrusion, JulAug 2016, 13-14,16,18 (Website: http://www. amiplastics.com/mags) © Applied Market Information Ltd 2016.
COMPANY NEWS Germany’s Heraeus opens recycling facility for spent reforming catalysts in Udaipur Ravindra Heraeus, a joint venture of Germany's Heraeus, will operate a newly launched facility that recovers palladium and platinum from used petroleum catalysts in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Heraeus hauled revenues of €1.9 bn (nonprecious metals) and €12.9 bn (overall) in FY 2015. It has a global workforce of 12,500 people. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 19 Jul 2016, 140 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Grace reports 2Q 2016 results: Grace Catalysts Technologies For WR Grace & Co's Catalysts Technologies segment, which includes catalysts and additives for refinery, plastics and other chemical process applications, as well as polypropylene process technology, sales were $278.4 M, a decrease of 3.8% compared with 2Q 2015. Gross margin was 46.2% compared with 43.3% in 2Q 2015, an increase of 290 basis points. Gross margin increased as lower manufacturing costs and improved productivity more than offset the decrease in sales volumes. Operating income of $87.5 M increased 1.0% compared with 2Q 2015. Operating margin was 31.4%, an increase of 150 basis points compared with 2Q 2015. The increases were primarily due
September 2016
yields from microorganisms capable of converting methane into chemicals with no carbon dioxide production; Investigating processes that couple biocatalysis with electrocatalysis to convert methane to chemicals without carbon dioxide or water production. Identifying single-site catalysts that enable continuous conversion of methane to methanol; and Studying metal-organic frameworks as potential solutions to the challenges of separating products from reactants in an energy- and cost-efficient manner. Finally, the workshop organizers concluded that there remain significant incentives for finding new catalysts for existing processes such as propane dehydrogenation and methane aromatization that exhibit higher stability and selectivity with fewer byproducts than what is currently available. The preliminary report can be downloaded from the URL address provided in reference [3]. [1] American Chemistry Council. "Shale gas, competitiveness, and new US chemical industry investment: An analysis based on announced projects." (Website:https://www. americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/ Shale-Gas/Slides-Shale-Gas-and-NewUS-Chemical-Industry-Investment.pdf). © American Chemistry Council, 2016. [2] American Chemistry Council, "The rising competitive advantage of U.S. plastics." Washington, DC, (Website:https://www. americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/ Shale-Gas/Slides-Shale-Gas-and-NewUS-Chemical-Industry-Investment.pdf) © American Chemistry Council, 2016. [3] J. Alper (Rapporteur), "The Changing Landscape of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks for Chemical Production: Implications for Catalysis: Proceedings of a Workshop," The National Academies Press, Washington DC., August 2016 (Website: http://www.nap.edu/ catalog/23555/the-changing-landscape-ofhydrocarbon-feedstocks-for-chemicalproduction-implications) © National Academy of Sciences, 2016.
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Innovation and R&D move eastwards There are indications of a shift in chemical research and development (R&D) expenditure from the EU and the US towards emerging markets, particularly China, India, the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Data from the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) showed a 44% increase in GCC's share in the global chemical R&D spending in 2014. Over 40% of chemicals R&D investment in 2015 was spent in Asia. According to Arthur D Little, R&D expenditure could exceed €25
2
ON
C ATA LY S T S
bn in China by 2020, while outlays in the EU increase by only €9 bn. China is presently the biggest chemical market in terms of sales and market share. China accounted for 9% of the worldwide chemical market in 2003, but the share had soared to more than 30% by 2013. In the same period, Europe's share fell from around 30% to below 20%. China spent roughly €1.5 bn for chemical R&D in 2003, and is estimated to reach €10–11 bn in 2016. Meanwhile, approximately 50% of BASF's R&D will be executed outside of Europe by 2020, with 25% to take place in Asia Pacific. For DuPont, nine of its 12 innovation centres are located in the emerging markets. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 1521 Aug 2016, 290 (5), 38-39 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2016.
Biojet fuel innovations to be key for meeting aviation industry’s CO2 emissions target As reported by Lux Research, the global drive to limiting CO2 emissions of the aviation sector from 2.1 bn tonnes to 0.2 bn tonnes will be spearheaded by innovations in bio-based jet fuels, accounting for 56% of the volume. The biojet fuel market will reach $300 bn by 2050, led by companies like Ensyn, Honeywell UOP, Licella, Neste, Renewable Energy Group and UPM. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 2 Aug 2016, 179 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Sustainable strategies: focus on bioplastics Some of the recent developments in bioplastics are detailed. Dutch firm Avantium is now generating several tonnes per year of an emerging bio-based polymer known as PEF at a pilot facility in Geleen. PEF is a polyester with properties better than those of PET. Its oxygen and CO2 barrier is 10 times that of PET while moisture barrier is at least twice as good. Together with a biaxial film company, Avantium has created a line of oriented packaging films on a continuous line. Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have prepared a food packaging material made from chitosanbased composite film with grapefruit seed extract (GFSE). The new product can slow bacterial and fungal growth, extending the shelf-life of perishable foods by 100%. Corbion will establish a 75,000-tonne/y PLA plant in Thailand. It already has finalized pre-engineering of the project and is now proceeding to the basic-engineering stage. Start-up date of the plant is expected in 2H
2018. Corbion will also expand its existing lactide unit in the country by 25,000 tonnes/ y. The PLA project will need an investment of €65 M, while the expansion project will require €20 M. Novamont and French film manufacturer Barbier will jointly create new bags out of renewable resources for vegetables and fruits. Ma-Ter-Bio is 100% compostable and derived from locally sourced sunflower oil and starch. Its renewable content is at least 35% but can be raised to more than 50%. Novamont's Mater-Bi line of bioplastics has a production capacity of 150,000 tonnes/y. Barbier offers polyethylene sheeting for agriculture and industry, as well as bags for supermarkets. It has created products using biodegradable/compostable and recycled materials. Original Source: Film and Sheet Extrusion, JulAug 2016, 13-14,16,18 (Website: http://www. amiplastics.com/mags) © Applied Market Information Ltd 2016.
COMPANY NEWS Germany’s Heraeus opens recycling facility for spent reforming catalysts in Udaipur Ravindra Heraeus, a joint venture of Germany's Heraeus, will operate a newly launched facility that recovers palladium and platinum from used petroleum catalysts in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Heraeus hauled revenues of €1.9 bn (nonprecious metals) and €12.9 bn (overall) in FY 2015. It has a global workforce of 12,500 people. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 19 Jul 2016, 140 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Grace reports 2Q 2016 results: Grace Catalysts Technologies For WR Grace & Co's Catalysts Technologies segment, which includes catalysts and additives for refinery, plastics and other chemical process applications, as well as polypropylene process technology, sales were $278.4 M, a decrease of 3.8% compared with 2Q 2015. Gross margin was 46.2% compared with 43.3% in 2Q 2015, an increase of 290 basis points. Gross margin increased as lower manufacturing costs and improved productivity more than offset the decrease in sales volumes. Operating income of $87.5 M increased 1.0% compared with 2Q 2015. Operating margin was 31.4%, an increase of 150 basis points compared with 2Q 2015. The increases were primarily due
September 2016