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University – Company Catalyst Research Collaborations
FOCUS ON C A T A L Y S T S A MONTHLY REPORT FROM TOM DEGNAN SEPTEMBER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE MARKETS AND BUSINESS
2-3
US biobased products industry contributes $369 bn, 4 M jobs to US economy Success in Saxony
COMPANY NEWS
3-5
Honeywell UOP technology helping China meet growing demands for plastics. KBR and Exelus enter into partnership SynSel Energy licenses technology from CRI Catalyst Evonik inaugurates business and innovation centre in Richmond, VA. Solvay inaugurates a biotechnology laboratory in Brazil
NEW PLANTS
5
Evonik starts up catalyst pilot plant in Shanghai, China. Ineos building a polyalphaolefins (PAO) plant in Texas
NEW TECHNOLOGY
5-7
Researchers use zeolites to improve polylactic acid (PLA) Catalyst shifts rate-limiting step in HaberBosch process New catalyst promises bright hydrogen future Novel GTL solvents for global markets
PATENTS
7
Process for increasing aromatics production In situ radio frequency catalytic upgrading
BOOKSHELF
7
Principles and Practice of Heterogeneous Catalysis Industrial Catalysis: A Practical Approach
EVENTS European Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering
8
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF CATALYSTS ISSN 1351–4180
UNIVERSITY – COMPANY CATALYST RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS Catalysis is a fruitful area for cultivating university – company research collaborations. This newsletter highlights some of the recent developments including, Evonik's inauguration of a new $15.4 M Richmond, VA Business and Innovation Center in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University (p.3) and Evonik's acquisition of a portion of JeNaCell, a spin-off company that has developed a novel method for producing nanocellulosics (p.4). The Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany developed the technology underpinning JaNaCell. We have come a long way from the "technology transfer'' era when universities believed that they could discover, patent, and license the rights to fundamental discoveries in catalysis. The most productive collaborations today, typically start with a small, well-developed project that calls upon the skills and capabilities of both parties. A good example of a productive catalyst R&D collaboration is that between the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Group of the University of Aberdeen and Ingen GTL Ltd (iGTL) [1]. Working together, iGTL and the University of Aberdeen successfully improved the performance of a novel iGTL iron-based catalyst used for the high temperature hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. The syngas process is critical to Ingen's GTL process. iGTL reportedly is in the process of commercializing the catalyst and claims that the development is
now the "core'' of iGTL's novel process. The National Academies' University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), through its focus on best practices, attempts to bring together major research universities and large, well-known corporations. Founded nearly a decade ago, UIDP has identified three fundamental principles that create successful universitybusiness partnerships [2,3], viz, 1. The partnership must be mutually beneficial. A "win-win'' situation must be clear and quantifiable. 2. The focus must be on both a "deeper'' and a "narrower'' relationship. Corporations today cultivate relationship with fewer universities, but they also put more effort in nurturing the relationships that they do establish. 3. To be successful, the emphasis must be on removing the barriers that impede the formation of the partnership. Skilled negotiators on both sides, supplemented by law departments who are experienced in putting together such contracts, greatly improve the chances for a productive and enduring collaboration. MIT has recently shared some its experiences and best practices in establishing productive industry – university collaborations [4]. MIT sums up its recommendations in seven steps to a successful collaboration: 1. Define the project's strategic context as part of the selection process 2. Select "boundary-spanning'' project managers with in-depth knowledge
CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS
FOCUS
3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
of technology needs, an inclination to network across functional and organizational boundaries, and the ability to make connections between research and applications Share with the university team the vision of how the collaboration can help the company Invest in long term relationships Establish strong communication linkage with the university team Build broad awareness of the project within the company Support the work internally both during the contract and after, until the research can be exploited.
Success in the initial project is normally the key to establishing the trust and confidence that supports the foundation of broader, long term relationships. Tom Degnan 1) "Improvement of Catalyst Performance’’ in Working with Business,’’ University of Aberdeen (Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/ business-info/business-assistance/ 2column-page237-237.php) © University of Aberdeen, 2015. 2) University Industry Development Partnership, (Website: www.uidp.org/) © UIDP, 2015 3) "Getting Real in the Real World: The Latest in University-Business Partnerships,’’ SkilledUp for Companies, 25 Aug 2104 (Website: www. skilledup.com/insights/ getting-real-in-the-world-latest-inuniversity-business-partnerships) 4) J. A. Pertuze’, E. S. Calder, E. M. Greitzer, and W. A. Lucas, "Best Practices for IndustryUniversity Collaboration,’’ MIT Sloan Management Review, 51 (4), pp 83-90, 2010 (Website: osp.mit.edu/sites/osp/files/u8/ bestpractices.pdf © Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MARKETS AND BUSINESS New report shows US biobased products industry contributes $369 bn, 4 M jobs to US economy An Economic Impact of the Biobased Product Industry report released on 17 Jun 2015 revealed that the US biobased industry contributed 4 M jobs and $369 bn in the economy in 2013. The new report showed that each job in the biobased products industry is responsible for producing 1.64 jobs in other sectors of the economy. In 2013, 1.5 M jobs directly supported the biobased product industry, leading to 1.4 M induced jobs generated from the
2
ON
C ATA LY S T S
purchase of goods and services created by the direct and indirect jobs, and another 1.1 M indirect jobs in associated industries. The report also covers the new forest products in the BioPreferred programme and the recommended changes to the earlier Biorefinery Assistance Program to support the cutting-edge technology developments for the production of renewable chemicals, advanced biofuels, and biobased products. The final BioPreferred programme rules will now include mature market products to offer more new wood products and other materials carrying USDA BioPreferred label. Under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, loan guarantees of up to $250 M are offered to be used for the establishment and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries and biobased product production plants. Production of more renewable chemicals and other biobased products is permitted to biorefineries that obtain financial assistance from the programme. In addition, conversion of renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into "end-user'' products are allowed in the biobased product plants. The 2014 Farm Bill is expected to generate sustainable job opportunities and to exploit growth opportunities in renewable plant-based materials. Agriculture and forestry, biobased chemicals, biorefining, bioplastic bottles and packaging, enzymes, textiles, and forest products are the seven primary sectors that signify the contribution of the US biobased products industry to the US economy. The Coca-Cola Company and PlantBottle packaging, Patagonia, and Ford are some of the case studies presented by the stakeholders. Original Source: Food Packaging Bulletin, Apr 2015, 24 (4), 14–15 (Website: http://www. researchinformation.co.uk) © Research Information Ltd 2015.
Success in Saxony From the damage brought about by 20th century warfare in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), SaxonyAnhalt has undergone extreme rehabilitation and is now occupied by Europe's largest chemical and plastics industry. Almost €17 bn has been spent to renovate the chemical
facilities in the region since Germany reunited in 1990. In its prime, 180, 000 people were employed by the chemical industry in GDR but due to the dismantling of plants and the lack of investment, employment dropped to under 50,000 in 1995. Sales fell to €6 bn from the €12 bn in 1989 but eventually shifted to approximately €23 bn. With over 110 plants, chemicals were the fourth most important industry in East Germany in 2013. Of the €22.9 bn sales, 39% and 38% were from basic chemicals, which constituted most of the plants, and pharmaceuticals, respectively. Despite being largely composed of SMEs and having fewer employees on average, the region offers excellent conditions for innovation and integrates various chemical industries, from basic to speciality. The German government also extends subsidies to new startups, amounting to 25% of the total costs while the SMEs are being offered up to 25% base funding and 10% additional surcharges by SaxonyAnhalt. Founded back in 2002, the Central European Chemical Network handles the network of six sites around Leipzig which is composed of over 600 companies that occupy 5500 hectares and employ 27,000 people. Chemie Park Bitterfeld-Wolfen, the first major German chlor-alkali electrolysis plant, was established in 1893. The outdated technologies of the occupying facilities became a problem that about €230 M was allocated to regenerate, repair and improve the infrastructures. At present, 360 companies are located there, which includes AkzoNobel, Lanxess, Evonik, ICL-IP and Clariant. Aside from having waste water treatment, the site also controls its emissions such that airborne dust decreased from 100 micrograms/cu in 1989 to 10 and chlorine levels from 30 micrograms/cu to nearly nothing. The Leuna Chemical Park, found to the west of Leipzig, conducted the first methanol synthesis and the first coal hydrogenation in Germany in the 1920s. Unlike the Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Leuna was constructed systematically and dealt more with petrochemicals and downstream plastics. After facing similar challenges in 1990s, the infrastructures were put under one company but shares, not higher than 24.5%, were offered to companies at the site to acquire profits above net cost September 2015
2-3
US biobased products industry contributes $369 bn, 4 M jobs to US economy Success in Saxony
COMPANY NEWS
3-5
Honeywell UOP technology helping China meet growing demands for plastics. KBR and Exelus enter into partnership SynSel Energy licenses technology from CRI Catalyst Evonik inaugurates business and innovation centre in Richmond, VA. Solvay inaugurates a biotechnology laboratory in Brazil
NEW PLANTS
5
Evonik starts up catalyst pilot plant in Shanghai, China. Ineos building a polyalphaolefins (PAO) plant in Texas
NEW TECHNOLOGY
5-7
Researchers use zeolites to improve polylactic acid (PLA) Catalyst shifts rate-limiting step in HaberBosch process New catalyst promises bright hydrogen future Novel GTL solvents for global markets
PATENTS
7
Process for increasing aromatics production In situ radio frequency catalytic upgrading
BOOKSHELF
7
Principles and Practice of Heterogeneous Catalysis Industrial Catalysis: A Practical Approach
EVENTS European Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering
8
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF CATALYSTS ISSN 1351–4180
UNIVERSITY – COMPANY CATALYST RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS Catalysis is a fruitful area for cultivating university – company research collaborations. This newsletter highlights some of the recent developments including, Evonik's inauguration of a new $15.4 M Richmond, VA Business and Innovation Center in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University (p.3) and Evonik's acquisition of a portion of JeNaCell, a spin-off company that has developed a novel method for producing nanocellulosics (p.4). The Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany developed the technology underpinning JaNaCell. We have come a long way from the "technology transfer'' era when universities believed that they could discover, patent, and license the rights to fundamental discoveries in catalysis. The most productive collaborations today, typically start with a small, well-developed project that calls upon the skills and capabilities of both parties. A good example of a productive catalyst R&D collaboration is that between the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Group of the University of Aberdeen and Ingen GTL Ltd (iGTL) [1]. Working together, iGTL and the University of Aberdeen successfully improved the performance of a novel iGTL iron-based catalyst used for the high temperature hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. The syngas process is critical to Ingen's GTL process. iGTL reportedly is in the process of commercializing the catalyst and claims that the development is
now the "core'' of iGTL's novel process. The National Academies' University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), through its focus on best practices, attempts to bring together major research universities and large, well-known corporations. Founded nearly a decade ago, UIDP has identified three fundamental principles that create successful universitybusiness partnerships [2,3], viz, 1. The partnership must be mutually beneficial. A "win-win'' situation must be clear and quantifiable. 2. The focus must be on both a "deeper'' and a "narrower'' relationship. Corporations today cultivate relationship with fewer universities, but they also put more effort in nurturing the relationships that they do establish. 3. To be successful, the emphasis must be on removing the barriers that impede the formation of the partnership. Skilled negotiators on both sides, supplemented by law departments who are experienced in putting together such contracts, greatly improve the chances for a productive and enduring collaboration. MIT has recently shared some its experiences and best practices in establishing productive industry – university collaborations [4]. MIT sums up its recommendations in seven steps to a successful collaboration: 1. Define the project's strategic context as part of the selection process 2. Select "boundary-spanning'' project managers with in-depth knowledge
CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS CATALYSTS
FOCUS
3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
of technology needs, an inclination to network across functional and organizational boundaries, and the ability to make connections between research and applications Share with the university team the vision of how the collaboration can help the company Invest in long term relationships Establish strong communication linkage with the university team Build broad awareness of the project within the company Support the work internally both during the contract and after, until the research can be exploited.
Success in the initial project is normally the key to establishing the trust and confidence that supports the foundation of broader, long term relationships. Tom Degnan 1) "Improvement of Catalyst Performance’’ in Working with Business,’’ University of Aberdeen (Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/ business-info/business-assistance/ 2column-page237-237.php) © University of Aberdeen, 2015. 2) University Industry Development Partnership, (Website: www.uidp.org/) © UIDP, 2015 3) "Getting Real in the Real World: The Latest in University-Business Partnerships,’’ SkilledUp for Companies, 25 Aug 2104 (Website: www. skilledup.com/insights/ getting-real-in-the-world-latest-inuniversity-business-partnerships) 4) J. A. Pertuze’, E. S. Calder, E. M. Greitzer, and W. A. Lucas, "Best Practices for IndustryUniversity Collaboration,’’ MIT Sloan Management Review, 51 (4), pp 83-90, 2010 (Website: osp.mit.edu/sites/osp/files/u8/ bestpractices.pdf © Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MARKETS AND BUSINESS New report shows US biobased products industry contributes $369 bn, 4 M jobs to US economy An Economic Impact of the Biobased Product Industry report released on 17 Jun 2015 revealed that the US biobased industry contributed 4 M jobs and $369 bn in the economy in 2013. The new report showed that each job in the biobased products industry is responsible for producing 1.64 jobs in other sectors of the economy. In 2013, 1.5 M jobs directly supported the biobased product industry, leading to 1.4 M induced jobs generated from the
2
ON
C ATA LY S T S
purchase of goods and services created by the direct and indirect jobs, and another 1.1 M indirect jobs in associated industries. The report also covers the new forest products in the BioPreferred programme and the recommended changes to the earlier Biorefinery Assistance Program to support the cutting-edge technology developments for the production of renewable chemicals, advanced biofuels, and biobased products. The final BioPreferred programme rules will now include mature market products to offer more new wood products and other materials carrying USDA BioPreferred label. Under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, loan guarantees of up to $250 M are offered to be used for the establishment and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries and biobased product production plants. Production of more renewable chemicals and other biobased products is permitted to biorefineries that obtain financial assistance from the programme. In addition, conversion of renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into "end-user'' products are allowed in the biobased product plants. The 2014 Farm Bill is expected to generate sustainable job opportunities and to exploit growth opportunities in renewable plant-based materials. Agriculture and forestry, biobased chemicals, biorefining, bioplastic bottles and packaging, enzymes, textiles, and forest products are the seven primary sectors that signify the contribution of the US biobased products industry to the US economy. The Coca-Cola Company and PlantBottle packaging, Patagonia, and Ford are some of the case studies presented by the stakeholders. Original Source: Food Packaging Bulletin, Apr 2015, 24 (4), 14–15 (Website: http://www. researchinformation.co.uk) © Research Information Ltd 2015.
Success in Saxony From the damage brought about by 20th century warfare in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), SaxonyAnhalt has undergone extreme rehabilitation and is now occupied by Europe's largest chemical and plastics industry. Almost €17 bn has been spent to renovate the chemical
facilities in the region since Germany reunited in 1990. In its prime, 180, 000 people were employed by the chemical industry in GDR but due to the dismantling of plants and the lack of investment, employment dropped to under 50,000 in 1995. Sales fell to €6 bn from the €12 bn in 1989 but eventually shifted to approximately €23 bn. With over 110 plants, chemicals were the fourth most important industry in East Germany in 2013. Of the €22.9 bn sales, 39% and 38% were from basic chemicals, which constituted most of the plants, and pharmaceuticals, respectively. Despite being largely composed of SMEs and having fewer employees on average, the region offers excellent conditions for innovation and integrates various chemical industries, from basic to speciality. The German government also extends subsidies to new startups, amounting to 25% of the total costs while the SMEs are being offered up to 25% base funding and 10% additional surcharges by SaxonyAnhalt. Founded back in 2002, the Central European Chemical Network handles the network of six sites around Leipzig which is composed of over 600 companies that occupy 5500 hectares and employ 27,000 people. Chemie Park Bitterfeld-Wolfen, the first major German chlor-alkali electrolysis plant, was established in 1893. The outdated technologies of the occupying facilities became a problem that about €230 M was allocated to regenerate, repair and improve the infrastructures. At present, 360 companies are located there, which includes AkzoNobel, Lanxess, Evonik, ICL-IP and Clariant. Aside from having waste water treatment, the site also controls its emissions such that airborne dust decreased from 100 micrograms/cu in 1989 to 10 and chlorine levels from 30 micrograms/cu to nearly nothing. The Leuna Chemical Park, found to the west of Leipzig, conducted the first methanol synthesis and the first coal hydrogenation in Germany in the 1920s. Unlike the Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Leuna was constructed systematically and dealt more with petrochemicals and downstream plastics. After facing similar challenges in 1990s, the infrastructures were put under one company but shares, not higher than 24.5%, were offered to companies at the site to acquire profits above net cost September 2015