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Upward trends for catalyst output, demand shattered in 2009
F O C U S reforming 1%/y to $149 M. Global crude distillation capacity, meanwhile, is forecast to increase from 87.2 M bbl/day in 2009 to 90.8 M bbl/day in 2013 as refiners will continue expanding their capacity to meet regional demand. Three line graphs track world oil production capacity, global crude refining capacity, and global refinery complexity during 1999-2009. Oil and Gas Journal, 26 Apr 2010, 108 (15), 40-43
Biotechnology to expand use of biomass in China Novozymes, and Dacheng Group, a major starch processing company based in China, have announced an agreement to make plastics from agricultural waste. The two companies have agreed to expand their cooperation in developing biochemicals derived from biomass and to promote the industrialization of plant-based glycol. “This collaboration with Dacheng Group is another important step toward the future biobased society,” said Steen Riisgaard, CEO and President of Novozymes A/S. “Biotechnology will open the pathway to a bio-based society in which renewable agricultural residues can be converted into biochemicals and nearly substitute the role that petrochemical industries have been playing since the industrial revolution.” Under the agreement, Novozymes will provide Dacheng Group with knowledge and the enzymes for converting biomass such as corn stover, wheat, and rice straw into sugar. Dacheng Group will then convert the sugar into glycol. Dacheng Group has the first commercialized facility in the world to mass produce plant-based glycols. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 4446 0000. Fax: +45 4446 9999. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (29 Apr 2010)
Upward trends for catalyst output, demand shattered in 2009 Japan’s catalyst output in 2009 dropped 11% to 105,660 tonnes from the previous year, while shipment volumes fell 10% to 102,225 tonnes, according to a report from the Catalyst Manufacturers Association. Value of shipments plunged 54% to Yen 248.627 bn ($2.65 bn) owing to
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falling raw material prices. Catalysts shipments for petroleum refining, which accounted for some 5% of the total shipment volume, increased 8% to 56,739 tonnes. Poor shipments of catalysts for petrochemical production, polymerization, and environmental protection pulled down the overall result. The economic downturn in 2009 affected the catalyst industry’s shipment volumes and value, and production volumes for the Jan-Oct 2009 period. A table presents an overview of the catalyst business in 2009, by industrial application, and percentage of change from the 2008 level.
Polimeri Europa to licence their Ziegler Natta polyethylene catalyst technologies for slurry, high pressure, and solution applications. Under terms of the agreement, Albemarle will become the exclusive marketer of Ziegler type catalysts sold into the high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) markets. The catalysts will be sold under the Advantage brand name. These new catalyst technologies will allow Albemarle to expand its portfolio beyond its current offerings to help its customers achieve success in the increasingly competitive global polyolefin market.
Japan Chemical Web, 13 Apr 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Press release from: Albemarle Corp, Baton Rouge Tower, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402. Fax: +1 225 388 7686. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (29 Apr 2010)
Catalysts’ slow road to recovery The overall outlook for the catalyst industry for 2010 is mixed. Refining catalyst makers expect that a revived focus on process optimization and a resumption in refill orders that had been delayed will prompt a modest gain in demand. Stricter tailpipe emission standards, meanwhile, are expected to facilitate a rebound in demand for automotive catalysts. The market is not expected to rapidly return to its peak levels; but new rules and standards, a demand shift from mature to emerging regions, and customer requirement for means to optimize operations, have opened up prospects for catalyst companies to increase sales. The Catalyst Group says price and regulatory trends will somehow help cushion catalysts producers from a likely downturn in demand caused by low utilization rates at the refining industry and the blow of additional refinery closures expected in Europe and the USA.
Direct coal liquefaction alliance Axens has entered into a strategic partnership with US technology firm Headwaters Inc to develop direct coal liquefaction (DCL) technology for clean fuel production. The partners will integrate their technologies and licensing activities for coal-to-liquids (CTL) projects globally. The project, dubbed Alliance DCL, targets to develop a single-source solution for converting coal into clean transportation fuels, whether alone or together with biomass, refinery residues and other low-cost or renewable feedstocks. Headwaters will contribute its slurry catalyst process and CTL research units to the partnership. Axens will provide its ebullated-bed H-Coal Process and proprietary catalyst, as well as its coal liquids upgrading processes needed to realize finished fuel specifications. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2010, (304), 10,12
Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2010 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
BASF strengthening catalyst division
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle licenses market leading polyethylene catalyst technologies from Polimeri Europa Albemarle Corp has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with
BASF has completed a number of projects at its catalyst division. A third drying unit has been opened at Nienburg, Germany, at a cost of several million Euros. This produces aluminosilicates used as adsorbents. BASF is increasing catalyst capacity at the same site. It has also extended capacity by 30% at its test laboratory in Hanover. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 3 May 2010, (506), 8 (in French)
JUNE 2010
Biotechnology to expand use of biomass in China Novozymes, and Dacheng Group, a major starch processing company based in China, have announced an agreement to make plastics from agricultural waste. The two companies have agreed to expand their cooperation in developing biochemicals derived from biomass and to promote the industrialization of plant-based glycol. “This collaboration with Dacheng Group is another important step toward the future biobased society,” said Steen Riisgaard, CEO and President of Novozymes A/S. “Biotechnology will open the pathway to a bio-based society in which renewable agricultural residues can be converted into biochemicals and nearly substitute the role that petrochemical industries have been playing since the industrial revolution.” Under the agreement, Novozymes will provide Dacheng Group with knowledge and the enzymes for converting biomass such as corn stover, wheat, and rice straw into sugar. Dacheng Group will then convert the sugar into glycol. Dacheng Group has the first commercialized facility in the world to mass produce plant-based glycols. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 4446 0000. Fax: +45 4446 9999. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (29 Apr 2010)
Upward trends for catalyst output, demand shattered in 2009 Japan’s catalyst output in 2009 dropped 11% to 105,660 tonnes from the previous year, while shipment volumes fell 10% to 102,225 tonnes, according to a report from the Catalyst Manufacturers Association. Value of shipments plunged 54% to Yen 248.627 bn ($2.65 bn) owing to
2
O N
C ATA LY S T S
falling raw material prices. Catalysts shipments for petroleum refining, which accounted for some 5% of the total shipment volume, increased 8% to 56,739 tonnes. Poor shipments of catalysts for petrochemical production, polymerization, and environmental protection pulled down the overall result. The economic downturn in 2009 affected the catalyst industry’s shipment volumes and value, and production volumes for the Jan-Oct 2009 period. A table presents an overview of the catalyst business in 2009, by industrial application, and percentage of change from the 2008 level.
Polimeri Europa to licence their Ziegler Natta polyethylene catalyst technologies for slurry, high pressure, and solution applications. Under terms of the agreement, Albemarle will become the exclusive marketer of Ziegler type catalysts sold into the high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) markets. The catalysts will be sold under the Advantage brand name. These new catalyst technologies will allow Albemarle to expand its portfolio beyond its current offerings to help its customers achieve success in the increasingly competitive global polyolefin market.
Japan Chemical Web, 13 Apr 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Press release from: Albemarle Corp, Baton Rouge Tower, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388 7402. Fax: +1 225 388 7686. Website: http://www.albemarle.com (29 Apr 2010)
Catalysts’ slow road to recovery The overall outlook for the catalyst industry for 2010 is mixed. Refining catalyst makers expect that a revived focus on process optimization and a resumption in refill orders that had been delayed will prompt a modest gain in demand. Stricter tailpipe emission standards, meanwhile, are expected to facilitate a rebound in demand for automotive catalysts. The market is not expected to rapidly return to its peak levels; but new rules and standards, a demand shift from mature to emerging regions, and customer requirement for means to optimize operations, have opened up prospects for catalyst companies to increase sales. The Catalyst Group says price and regulatory trends will somehow help cushion catalysts producers from a likely downturn in demand caused by low utilization rates at the refining industry and the blow of additional refinery closures expected in Europe and the USA.
Direct coal liquefaction alliance Axens has entered into a strategic partnership with US technology firm Headwaters Inc to develop direct coal liquefaction (DCL) technology for clean fuel production. The partners will integrate their technologies and licensing activities for coal-to-liquids (CTL) projects globally. The project, dubbed Alliance DCL, targets to develop a single-source solution for converting coal into clean transportation fuels, whether alone or together with biomass, refinery residues and other low-cost or renewable feedstocks. Headwaters will contribute its slurry catalyst process and CTL research units to the partnership. Axens will provide its ebullated-bed H-Coal Process and proprietary catalyst, as well as its coal liquids upgrading processes needed to realize finished fuel specifications. Nitrogen + Syngas, Mar/Apr 2010, (304), 10,12
Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2010 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
BASF strengthening catalyst division
COMPANY NEWS Albemarle licenses market leading polyethylene catalyst technologies from Polimeri Europa Albemarle Corp has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with
BASF has completed a number of projects at its catalyst division. A third drying unit has been opened at Nienburg, Germany, at a cost of several million Euros. This produces aluminosilicates used as adsorbents. BASF is increasing catalyst capacity at the same site. It has also extended capacity by 30% at its test laboratory in Hanover. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 3 May 2010, (506), 8 (in French)
JUNE 2010