F O C U S

Novozymes is a clearer knowledge of customer demand leading to better management of enzyme production.
BioTimes (Novozymes Enzyme e-zine), 23 Jun 2004, 19 (2), 12 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. Website: http://www.novozymes.com/biotimes)

O N

C ATA LY S T S
Dow and Oman to build petrochemical complex in Oman
The Government of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Oil Co SAOC (OOC) and The Dow Chemical Co have announced an agreement to form a jv that will design, build, and operate a petrochemical complex in Oman. The jv will be owned 50% by The Dow Chemical Co, 25% by the Government of Oman, and 25% by OOC. Located in the Sohar Industrial Port Area, the petrochemical complex will comprise feedstock production facilities, a gas cracker, as well as three world-scale polyethylene production units based on state-ofthe-art catalyst and process technology. Further, the jv will facilitate the development of downstream industries in Oman that will convert polyethylene to endproducts in Oman, thus enhancing the level of job creation that will result from the complex. Construction of the petrochemical complex is expected to begin during 2005. Oman Oil Co SAOC is a commercial company 100% owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. The Dow Chemical Co is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets.
Press release from: The Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48642, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000. Fax: +1 989 636 3518. Website: http://www.dow.com) (20 Jul 2004)

Tayca begins photocatalytic titanium dioxide exports to Korea, Taiwan & Europe
Japanese company Tayca plans to increase sales of photocatalytic titanium dioxide, both in Japan and exports to South Korea, Taiwan, and Europe. There is a discussion of the companys plans, the product, and its applications.
Japan Chemical Week, 8 Jul 2004, 45 (2277), 2

HC Starck merges businesses

HC Starck (part of Bayers Material Science division) merged its 3 operations on 1 Jun 2004 in order to improve profit margins and develop its specialities business. The new structure will operate on 3 markets: tungsten, molybdenum, and catalysts.
Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 5 Jul 2004, (261), 11 (in French)

NEW PLANTS
Yuki Gosei to construct continuousprocess Grignard reagent plant
Yuki Gosei Kogyo has expanded the Grignard reaction capacity at its Joban plant in Iwaji, Japan. The new plant manufactures tripropyl silyl acrylate (TIPX) and speciality external donors that are used along with highactivity catalysts in PP production. Demand for TIPX is forecast to grow as it is used as a substitute for organic tin compounds.
Japan Chemical Week, 15 Jul 2004, 45 (2278), 2

Made in Qatar
Sd-Chemie and local partners are to form a jv in Qatar. Sd-Chemie Qatar will produce catalysts for gas-to-liquid (GTL) projects. Initial investment will be 10 M.
Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 19 Jul 2004, 33 (7), 7 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)

Oil Search and Syntroleum launch feasibility study for GTL barge in Papua New Guinea
Syntroleum Corp has signed an agreement to undertake a feasibility study with Oil Search Ltd for a GTL Barge in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The conceptual design will include gas processing to extract natural gas liquids (NGL) in advance of the gasto-liquids (GTL) section that will utilize the Syntroleum Process and would produce a nominal 20,000 bbl/day of total liquids. The products will include ultra-clean diesel, naphtha, and LPG. The GTL Barge design has been developed by Syntroleum since 2002 and is based upon design criteria first explored under contract with the US Department of Defense and later adapted to commercial specifications. Syntroleums 70 bbls Catoosa Demonstration Facility, which is currently operating near Tulsa, OK, is also contributing to the basis of a design and catalyst performance demonstration for the GTL Barge.
Press release from: Syntroleum Corp, Suite 1100, 1350, South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119, USA. Tel: +1 918 592 7900. Fax: +1 918 592 7979. Website: http://www.syntroleum.com) (26 Jul 2004)

Biofuels to build biodiesel plant at Seal Sands

Biofuels Corp is to build a 250,000 tonne/y biodiesel plant in Seal Sands, UK. Raw materials will be soybean and canola oil and methanol. Glycerol and potassium sulfate will be coproducts. Completion is expected in 1Q 2005. Further expansions are planned after that.
Chemical Week, 14 July 2004, 166 (23), 18

UOP signs agreement with Pancevo oil refinery for modular CCR regenerator
UOP Ltd and Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) Oil Refinery Pancevo signed an agreement for UOP to supply a modular CCR regenerator including a Continuous RVG Chlorsorb system for NIS Oil Refinery Pancevos naphtha complex in Yugoslavia. The naphtha complex will include a new CCR Platforming unit and a Par-Isom unit with a DIH fractionator converted from an existing fixed-bed reformer. These new process units will upgrade and modernize this plant to meeting Euro 5 gasoline standards.
Press release from: UOP LLC, 25, East Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017, USA. Tel: +1 847 391 2000. Website: http://www.uop.com (29 Jul 2004)

IOC to set up giant petrochemical hub at Panipat

Indian Oil Corp (IOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Haryana Government to set up a world-scale petrochemical complex at Panipat, which requires an investment of Rup 250-300 bn and employing 50,000 persons. The project involves setting up of Naphtha Cracker complex and downstream polymer facilities, which is likely to be completed by 2007-2008.
Chemical Weekly, 13 Jul 2004, 49 (47), 108

SEPTEMBER 2004