MARKETS ANDBUSINESS

Global demand for catalysts to rise ata rate of 5.5%/y by 2016, forecastsFreedonia Group

Global demand for catalysts willincrease 5.5%/y through 2016 to$19.5 bn, according to Freedonia,which analysed and provided theforecast of the $14.7 bn world catalystindustry for 2016 and 2021. Growthwill reflect the continued expansionand modernization of the chemical,refining, and polymer industries of theworld’s developing nations, as well asa shift in product mix toward highervalue, more efficient catalysts. Boththe polymer and chemical catalystmarkets will rise at an above-averagepace through 2016, aided by healthyeconomic advances in developingcountries that will drive increases inpolymer and chemical production.New polymer and chemical capacitywill continue to be sited in or nearrapidly expanding consumer markets,as well as in countries withcomparatively cheap supplies ofnatural gas (a primary polymer andchemical feedstock). These healthyadvances in both markets will reflectthe adoption of higher value catalystswith increased activity and/orselectivity. For example, inpolymerization catalysts, metallocenesingle-site catalysts will exhibit thefastest growth, while in chemicalsynthesis catalysts, biocatalysts willkeep posting some of the fastestgrowth.

Original Source: Freedonia Group, 2013. Found onSpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 1Mar 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)

Technology progress and economicanalysis of coal-based MTO

An analysis is given of the progressand industrial application ofmethanol-to-olefins using coal-basedmethanol. A quantitative estimate isgiven of the competitiveness of theprocess compared with the use ofsteam cracking for methanolproduction. China PetrochemicalInternational Co Ltd, Sinopec Great

Wall Energy, and Chemical Co Ltdare working with the School ofAutomation of China’s NorthwesternPolytechnical University. Theconclusion is that it is economicallypossible to use MTO/MTP undergiven conditions.

Original Source: Xiandai Huagong (Modern ChemicalIndustry), 20 Jan 2013, 33 (1), 13-16,18 (Website:http://www.xdhg.com.cn) (in Chinese) © ChinaNational Chemical Information Center 2013

Biomass demand for biochemicals andbiofuels forecast to rise to 3.7 bntonnes by 2030

Biofuels and biochemicals needmore than 1 bn tonne/y to replace3% of total petroleum products andby 2030, this number will soar to 3.7bn tonnes, according to a report byLux Research entitled, “FindingFeedstocks for the Bio-Based Fuelsand Chemicals of Today and 2030.”This growing challenge will requirefeedstock innovations such as cropmodification, new value chainconfigurations, and agronomictechnology improvements likeirrigation and biosensors. Accordingto the report, the use of waste as afeedstock is rising since municipalsolid waste (MSW) and waste gaseslike carbon dioxide and flue gas havepotential as a feedstock. LanzaTechaims to make ethanol and 2,3-butanediol from flue gas, whileFulcrum BioEnergy is financing itsfirst MSW gasification plant. Novellogistics methods can also reducecost. Alternative fuel companiessuch as Sweetwater Energy andBlackGold Biofuels are developing“hub-and-spoke” models to buildsatellite intermediate conversionfacilities that feed into a centralprocessing facility, cuttingtransportation costs. Cropmodifications will reduce inputneeds. Companies and universitiesare developing crop traits that cutdown on agriculture’s materialinputs. For example, BASF, MendelBiotechnology, and Evogene aredeveloping crop strains that provideresistance to drought and pests, orcan fix their own nitrogen.

Original Source: Lux Research, 2013. Found onSpecialChem Coatings and Inks Formulation, 8 Feb2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4coatings.com)

COMPANYNEWS

Amyris announces first shipment ofBiofene renewable farnesene from itsBrazilian plant

Amyris Inc, a renewable chemicalsand fuels company, announced thefirst commercial shipment from itsnew plant in Brazil. Amyris’s firstpurpose-built industrial fermentationplant produces Biofene, Amyris’sbrand of renewable farnesene, to beused in a range of specialitychemical and fuel applications.Amyris’s Biofene plant in Brotas, inthe state of Sao Paulo, Brazil,sources its sugarcane feedstocklocally from the Paraiso mill. Prior tothe start-up of this plant, Amyrisrelied solely on contractmanufacturing for commercialproduction.

Original Source: Amyris, 2013. Found on SpecialChemCosmetics and Personal Care Innovation andSolutions, 4 Feb 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4cosmetics.com)

Bac2 to receive accolades for its CSRfamily of latent acid catalysts

Bac2, the polymer materialscompany, has been selected as thewinner of the materials category inthe JEC Europe 2013 InnovationAwards for its CSR family of latentacid catalysts. The accolade will bepresented in Mar 2013 at the JECEurope show in Paris, France. UsingCSR catalysts, the storage life ofpre-polymeric mixes used in SMCand BMC processes has beenextended from minutes or hours toover three months. This simplifiesmaterials handling, storage, andtransportation. In pultrusion, processefficiency gains of more 100% havebeen achieved, coupled with a 30°Creduction in curing temperature.Bac2 supplies CSR catalysts tocompanies that manufacture woodproducts (MDF, particle board andplywood), abrasives and compositemoulded products.

Original Source: Bac2, 2013. Found on SpecialChemPlastics and Elastomers Formulation, 6 Feb 2013,(Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)

2 APRIL 2013

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