Biotech likely to be primary driver of innovation in the chemical industry

Biotech likely to be primary driver ofinnovation in the chemical industry

A new industrial revolution is takingplace as biotechnology becomes anincreasingly important catalyst forinnovation in the chemical industry.According to one speaker at a recentbriefing in New York on industrialbiotechnology, “The Third Wave inBiotechnology”, biotech is now thekey driver in the chemical industry forthe next 10 years. The effect ofbiotech is expected to be substantial,in particular in fine chemicals andsome speciality chemicals areas.Around 20%, or $280 bn, of the entirechemicals market of $1400 bn in 2010could be affected by biotech.Biotechnology has the potential torepresent 60% of fine chemicals salesin 2010 (or $90 M), 10-15% ofpolymer sales ($370 M) and 10-15%of bulk chemical sales ($380 M). Withpetroleum feedstocks increasing inprice and subsidies for renewableresources, there is a strong incentiveto develop green processes. 2002was also a watershed year forbiotechnology on the legislative front.

Chemical Market Reporter, 10 Feb 2003 (Website:http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

Global biotechnology market expectedto post ten-fold growth

The worldwide industrialbiotechnology market is predicted toachieve a ten-fold growth this decade,with a value of $100 bn by 2010, anincrease from the range of $6 bn- $10bn posted in 2001. Industrialbiotechnology is being considered tobe the third wave of biotechnologydevelopment, according to BIO.Biotechnology is now being utilized toconvert the most abundant crops intoenvironmentally sound fuels,chemicals and consumer materials.Examples of these are high fructosecorn syrup from enzymes for use assweetener in soft drinks, as well asproteases as ingredients of laundrydetergents.

Asia Pacific Chemicals, Feb-Mar 2003, 14 (1), 6

Biotechnology’s industrial wave

The Third Wave in Biotechnology, aconference sponsored by theBiotechnology Industry Organization,focussed on the opportunities and

hurdles facing companies seeking tomove the production of fuels,chemicals, and consumer goods fromfossil-based to bio-based rawmaterials. Industrial biotech is beingdescribed as the third wave – comingafter pharmaceutical biotech and foodbiotech. According to a new report, by2010 biotechnology will have animpact on 20% of the global chemicalmarket – a slice amounting to $280bn. Speed is picking up in the sector.Biocatalysts are becoming morestable, yields are rising, and there isincreasing public pressure for industryto come up with safe, environmentallyfriendly and sustainable products.Biotech will offer considerablebenefits in the polymer market. By2010, over 10% of polymers couldinvolve biotech in either monomerproduction or polymerization. Severalspeakers at the conferenceemphasized the importance ofpartnerships between large chemicalcompanies and agricultural or biotechcompanies. Meanwhile, breakthroughtechnologies are provingcommercially viable.

Chemical and Engineering News, 3 Feb 2003, 81 (5),14

High enzyme demand sparks majorgiants

Demand for speciality and industrialenzymes in the USA is expected toreach $2.6 bn in 2004, which is mainlyattributed to the rise of novelbiocatalysts. Biocatalysts can beutilised in the production of textilesand cosmetic products. Enzymes fordiagnostic and medical applicationshad a total market value of $1.4 bn in1999. Speciality enzymes will persistto dominate the US enzymes marketdue to its fast evolving use and pre-eminence in therapeutic applications.

Performance Chemicals Europe (PCE), Feb-Mar 2003,18 (1), 10

A steady rise for metallocene

Consultants at Freedonia haveforecast that, in 2006, demand in theUS for metallocene and single-sitepolymers will be 2.18 M tonnes,following demand growth of 20%/y.These polymers will have a 10%market share (5% in 2001).Metallocene LLDPE will account for30% of total LLDPE consumed but

metallocene HDPE and metallocenepolypropylene will account for just 3-4% of their respective sectors. Themain applications will be sheets andfilms.

European Chemical News, 10 Feb 2003, 78 (2039), 12

COMPANYNEWS

Altus using P 450 for making drugmetabolites and optimizing drug leads

Altus Biologics has developed newtechnology which allows it to offerdrug metabolite production and leadoptimization. This is based on P 450enzyme systems. Altus can supplyclients with a range of drugmetabolites and oxidised drugderivatives. Its biotransformationtechnology mimics metabolism in thehuman body and gives access to awider range of metabolites at an earlystage of drug development. Thetechnology is particularly suitable forscaling up production as the enzymesystems generate the target in asingle step.

PharmaChem, Nov-Dec 2002, 1 (11-12), 54 (B5 srl.Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 0283241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Websitewww.b5srl.com)

Asahi Kasei gets metallocene HDPEmarketing rights from Dow

Dow Chemical has sold the globalmarketing rights to Creolex HDPE toAsahi Kasei. Creolex is producedusing a metallocene catalyst and theslurry process. The two companiesjointly developed the process. AsahiKasei hopes the deal will allow it totriple its sales of Creolex to 5000tonne/y in 2003. Asahi Kasei willmodify a 50,000 tonne/y plant inMizushima to produce Creolex,Sunfine UHMWPE, and metallocene-based UHMWPE.

Japan Chemical Week, 13 Feb 2003, 44 (2208), 1 &Chemical Week, 19 Feb 2003, 165 (7), 19 & ChimieHebdo, 24 Feb 2003, (203), 9 (in French)

Celanese signs catalyst researchagreement

Celanese Ventures and ThalesTechnologies have signed an R&D

2 APRIL 2003

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