Titanate catalysts from Alfa Aesar

The broad range of titanium-basedcatalysts from Alfa Aesar can be usedfor esterification reactions of all types.Benefits include enhancedproductivity, superior colour andpurity, and reduced environmentalimpact. R&D quantities of standardproducts are available from stock;custom formulations are alsoavailable.

Chemical and Engineering News, 10 May 2004, 82(19) (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)

Avantium Technologies, Degussastrengthen collaboration

Degussa has widened itscollaboration with AvantiumTechnologies by supplying a selectionof its proprietary ligands andhomogeneous catalysts to AvantiumTechnologies’ catalyst library. In 2001,Degussa had entered into apartnership when its portfolio ofheterogeneous catalysts wasincorporated into the catalyst library ofAvantium Technologies. AvantiumTechnologies plans to use thehomogenous catalysts in its highthroughput experimentation andsimulation technology for biopharmaand chemical industries.

Chemical Engineering World, Apr 2004, 39 (4), 32

Avecia licenses drug technology

Avecia is to license several of itstechnologies to Japan’s Nard Institute,a contract research and processdevelopment company. Thetechnologies include catalysts used inchiral production, some biocatalyticprocesses, and an encapsulatedpalladium catalyst used for cleanerdrug development.

Chemical and Engineering News, 17 May 2004, 82(20), 15–16 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)

E.ON 2003: R&D

For its fiscal 2003, the E.ON Grouphas reported R&D expenditure of €69M (€380 M for its fiscal 2002). Thedecline is mainly due to thedeconsolidation of Degussa. Overall,852 employees work in R&D at theE.ON group, of which: E.ON Energie

399, Ruhrgas 437, and Powergen 16.There is a detailed discussion of thegroup’s R&D activities.

E.ON Annual Report 2003, 11 Dec 2003, 44 (E.ON AG,E.ON-Platz 1, 40479, Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49211 4579 367. Fax: +49 211 4579 532. Website:http://www.eon.com)

Great Lakes and OxyChem complete50-50 antimony oxide jv

Great Lakes Chemical Corp hascompleted a transaction that willmerge its antimony business withOxyChem’s Laurel Industries unit in a 50-50 jv called GLCC Laurel LLC.The new company will develop,produce, and market antimony-basedflame retardants, synergists, andcatalysts. Production will beconsolidated into the existing GreatLakes’ antimony production plant inReynosa, Mexico.

Press release from Great Lakes Chemical Corp, 9025North River Road, Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46240,USA. Tel: +1 317 715 3027. Website:http://www.greatlakes.com (27 Apr 2004)

Iogen starts shipments of bioethanol

The first commercial shipment ofethanol made from cellulosic biomassrather than grains has been made byIogen. The company has a $45 Mdemonstration plant in Ottawa whichprocesses 40 tonne/d wheat strawinto ethanol. Enzymes for the processare manufactured in an adjacentplant. The global market for bio-fuelssuch as cellulose ethanol is expectedto be at least $10 bn by 2012. BothPetro-Canada and Shell haveinterests in Iogen.

Chemical Week, 12 May 2004, 166 (16), & Chemistryand Industry (London), 3 May 2004, (9), 4 (Website:http://www.chemind.org)

Intercat buys hydrotalcite patents

Sunoco Inc has sold US and foreignpatent rights to its hydrotalcitecatalysts, including manufacturingprocesses and use, to Intercat Inc.

Chemical Market Reporter, 24 May 2004, (Website:http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & EuropeanChemical News, 31 May 2004, 80 (2102), 26

Fuel cells could power JohnsonMatthey’s future

Fuel cells, which turn hydrogen intopower, are the technology of

tomorrow, and Johnson Matthey,which makes parts for experimentalfuel cells, is enjoying more revenuesfrom its work than ever before. Lossesin the division have been reduced bygovernment funding and, in a fewyears’ time, this will be a significantcontributor of value to the business.For now, though, JM is in a period ofmore pedestrian growth, with a weakdollar weighing further on prospects.Its main business for now is catalysts– chemicals used in things likeemissions-reducing catalyticconverters for cars – where figuresyesterday were disappointing. Itsmain customers are Ford andChrysler, who have been losingmarket share in the US. Global carproduction is improving, though, andin two years’ time there are toughernew rules on emissions from heavyduty diesel vehicles, which shoulddrive demand. JM is also establishinga strong position as a supplier ofingredients to the pharmaceuticalsmanufacturers, particularly thegrowing producers of generic, or off-patent, drugs. A 15% rise in profits atthis division to £42.3 M was thehighlight of yesterday’s results, whichshowed a 3% rise in group pre-taxprofits to £178 M for the year to 31March. The sale of its colours andcoatings business, for about £150 M,is due within the next few months.The shares fell 19p to 875.5p though are still worth tucking away.

The Independent, 4 Jun 2004

Kemira sells Ecocat

Kemira has sold the catalystmanufacturer Ecocat to the Finnishventure capital firm Eqvitec. Ecocatmanufactures exhaust catalysts forthe vehicle industry and has aturnover of around SKR 400 M. Thecarrier material in its products aremetal rather than ceramics and thesecatalysts are more commonly used indiesel vehicles, motorbikes, andgardening equipment, which make up a growing market. The newownership should give Ecocat a more effective global marketingsystem.

Kemivarlden, May 2004, (5), 11 (in Swedish) & Pressrelease from Kemira Oyj, Porkkalankatu 3, PO Box330, FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland. Tel: +358 (0)108611. Fax: +358 (0)10 862 1797. Website:http://www.kemira.com (3 May 2004)

4 JULY 2004

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