to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.However, the possibility thatproduction of renewable chemicalscould trigger a global food crisis couldpose a challenge to the growth of thismarket. The key vendors dominatingthis market space are BASF SE,BioAmber Inc, Braskem SA, andNatureworks LLC. Other vendorsmentioned in the report are AmyrisInc, Archer Daniels Midland Co,Arkenol Inc, Myriant Corp,Genomatica Inc, and Solazyme Inc.

Original Source: TechNavio, 2013. Found on websiteSpecialChem Coatings and Inks Formulation, 29 Oct2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4coatings.com)

Technology licensing agreementfinalized between Gazprom Neft, USfirms

UOP (part of the Honeywell Group)and ExxonMobil Research andEngineering Company (EMRE) havejointly signed a licensing contract for atechnology transfer to OJSC GazpromNeft’s subsidiary, Moscow OilProcessing Plant (OPP). Thetechnology involves the integration ofDistillate Unionfining, UOP’shydroprocessing solution, with MIDW,EMRE’s distillate dewaxingtechnology to produce low-sulfurdiesel fuel. The hydroprocessing unitwith the combined UOP and EMRE’stechnologies will be constructed underthe refinery’s modernizationprogramme. The signed agreement isthe first Russian project of the EMRE-UOP alliance formed in 2012.

Original Source: RCCnews, 21 Oct 2013, (Website:http://www.rccnews.ru/Eng) © RCCnews.ru 2013

Platinum costs in fuel cell vehicles

In spite of threats of strike action andsupply shortages in South Africa,platinum prices have declined byaround a fifth in the last two years.Hyundai is already delivering fuel cellelectric vehicles to customers aroundthe world. Toyota, meanwhile, will beunveiling its production-ready fuel cellvehicle during the Nov 2013 TokyoMotor Show. Toyota announcedrecently that the latest version of itsfuel cell has reduced platinumloadings to around 30 g, with itsvehicle to be priced at around$50,000. This is about 3% of the totalcost. And it seems platinum loading is

decreasing. The US Department ofEnergy says the amount of platinumin PEM fuel cells has fallen by around80% in the last ten years. While manyresearchers are looking forreplacements for platinum in fuelcells, there is a long way to go beforethe metal is no longer required. APlatinum Metals Review studyhighlights that platinum performsparticularly well in fuel cellelectrochemistry. It is the most activeand stable material available for thereactions on the cathode side of thefuel cell. It concluded that platinum ishere to stay as non-platinumalternatives are not “likely to representviable options in the near or mid-term”.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, 7 Nov 2013,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

Platinum 2013 Interim Review –platinum

Johnson Matthey’s Platinum 2013Interim Review predicts that the deficitin the platinum market will increase in2013 to 605,000 oz, from 340,000 ozin 2012. Supplies of platinum will riseby 1.6% to 5.74 M oz, with higheroutput from Zimbabwe accounting formost of the gains. Strong offtake byindustrial users and investors will liftgross platinum demand by 4.9% to8.42 M oz. Recycling of platinum willgrow slightly to 2.08 M oz. Platinumsupplies from South Africa areforecast to rise by less than 1% toreach 4.12 M oz in 2013. Productionlosses due to one-off factors such asstrikes and safety stoppages totalledaround 100,000 oz in 1H 2013.Further strikes or stoppages in 4Q2013 could eliminate any increase inSouth African supplies. Autocatalystdemand will fall by 2.0% to 3.13 M oz,reflecting weakness in the world’s twolargest markets for diesel cars,Europe and India. There will also besome additional thrifting by those automakers still using platinum in gasolinecatalysts. However, the use ofplatinum in heavy duty applicationswill rise, with a greater number ofdiesel trucks meeting strict Euro VIlimits. Gross demand for platinum injewellery will slip by 1.4% to 2.74 Moz.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, 12 Nov 2013,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

Platinum 2013 Interim Review –palladium

Although the gap between palladiumsupply and demand will narrow in2013, the market will be in deficit by740,000 oz. Primary supplies willdecline to 6.43 M oz, due to lowerRussian stock sales, but recycling willgrow by 7.4% to 2.46 M oz. Palladiumdemand will fall by 3.4% to 9.63 M oz,with autocatalyst demand strongly upbut reduced purchases from othersectors. World supplies of palladiumwill decline by 1.5% to 6.43 M oz in2013, due to a drop in sales fromRussian government stocks to100,000 oz. There will be a marginalrecovery in South African shipmentsof palladium, while production fromZimbabwe will rise strongly due toanother round of mine expansion.North American output of palladiumas a by-product of nickel mining willalso increase. A return to boomconditions in the Chinese car marketwill lift global palladium usage inautocatalysts by 4.0% to 6.97 M oz.China will become the second largestmarket for palladium in autocatalystsat 1.51 M oz. Growth in demand forpalladium from the auto industry isexpected in all other regions exceptJapan, but at a modest pacecompared with the dramatic gains ofrecent years. Industrial demand forpalladium will fall by 6.6% to 2.20 Moz, its lowest level since 2004.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, 12 Nov 2013,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

COMPANYNEWS

Albemarle announces businessreorganization

US-based Albemarle Corp isrealigning its global business units(GBU) in Jan 2014. Under the newstructure, the assets of the specialitychemicals company will be alignedwithin two global business units, thePerformance Chemicals GBU and theCatalyst Solutions GBU. The formerwill cover Fire Safety Solutions,Specialty Chemicals, and FineChemistry Services, merging thebromine, mineral, and custommanufacturing assets into a single

2 JANUARY 2014

F O C U S O N C A T A LY S T S