ingredients are being produced byDaiso using new technologydeveloped by Brandeis University.Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted withalcohols in the presence of opticallyactive catalysts. Optically activehemiester compounds are producedwhen the catalysts incorporateframeworks of quinine, quinidine, orother compounds. The molecularstructures of the compounds includecarboxylic acid and ester groups.

Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3 &Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 21

Diversa and Givaudan announcemilestone achievement

Diversa Corp and Givaudan FlavorsCorp have achieved a key milestonein their collaborative agreement todiscover and develop novel enzymesand processes for the cost-effectiveproduction of new products forconsumer applications. This milestonesignifies the successful developmentof a novel biocatalyst that significantlyimproves the efficient production of anatural flavour ingredient. The newproprietary bio-catalytic process,which will replace an existingchemical process, is currently beingscaled up for pilot plant trials. Underthe terms of the collaborativeagreement initiated in Jan 2002,Diversa will receive a milestonepayment and, uponcommercialisation, will receive licencefees and royalties.

Press releases from: Diversa Corp, 4955, DirectorsPlace, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. Website:http://www.diversa.com; and Givaudan Flavors Corp,1199, Edison Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216, USA. Tel:+1 513 948 8000. Fax: +1 513 948 5637. Website:http://www.givaudan.com (3 Sep 2003)

Engelhard’s FCC additive boostsflexibility

Engelhard has developed a newadditive which enhances theoperational flexibility of the catalyticcracking (FCC) systems of petroleumrefiners. The additive is claimed tohelp FCC systems maintain unitactivity with heavier crude feedstocks,increase unit conversion andprofitability, enhance bottomsrecovery, selectively adjust theperformance characteristics of a given

product, and produce a wider range ofpetroleum products, all withoutchanging the catalyst. The firm’sDistributed Matrix Structure (DMS)technology platform has been used asthe basis for the converter.

Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2003, 110 (7),23

EnviroFuels obtains private placement

Mdechem Inc was incorporated in1996 to fund R&D into innovativeproducts based on the patentedtechnology of Frank DeFalco andCharles McCoy. The company hasdeveloped three products: REV-ER-UP, Blue Marble and a fuel-bornecatalyst, all of which are now ownedby EnviroFuels LP, a partnership inwhich Mdechem owns 70,000participation units. As announced inearly 2003, EnviroFuels purchased allof Mdechem’s technology and patentrights and entire line of productsdeveloped for improving fuelefficiency in internal combustionengines. EnviroFuels has successfullysold new Limited Partnership Units ina Private Placement, raising $530,000in new equity during 1Q and 2Q 2003.The new infusion provides operatingcapital needed to continue testing andinitiate marketing activities and extendintellectual property rights.

Press release from Mdechem Inc, 3505 Bering Drive,Houston, TX 77057, USA. Tel: +1 713 334 7882. Fax:+1 713 334 7221. Website: http://www.mdechem.com(3 Sep 2003)

New GTL technology company

FMC Technologies Inc. and Accentusplc of the UK have set up a jv, GTLMicroSystems, which will focus on thedevelopment of small-scale gas-to-liquids technology. The new companyis expected provide technologysuitable for small, stranded reservesand gas as by-product of oilproduction, which are commerciallydifficult to exploit. GTL MicroSystemsexpects to provide technology thatcan allow the commercialdevelopment of gas reserves as smallas 10 M cu ft/day, or equivalent to1000 bbl/day, at lower capital cost perbarrel than those of traditional, large-scale plants.

Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul-Aug 2003, (264), 9

Idemitsu to start FCC improvementresearch

Research into a fluid catalyticcracking unit giving a high yield ofpropylene from heavy oil and by-products is to be undertaken byIdemitsu Kosan in conjunction withIdemitsu Petrochemical, MitsuiChemicals, and Sumitomo Chemical.The development is aimed atimproving the competitiveness ofrefineries in relation to facilities inChina and the Middle East. Researchwill be undertaken into increasing thecracking temperature from 500° to600° which would result in higheryields of aromatics and propylene.

Japan Chemical Week, 28 Aug 2003, 44 (2234), 7

Indian Oil Technologies to offer techsolutions to hydrocarbons industry

Indian Oil Technologies Ltd, a 100%subsidiary of IOC, was recentlystarted as a marketing outfit for all thetechnologies developed at the R&DCentre of IOC. Indian OilTechnologies is banking on its 111patents which include 28 from the USto meet the requirements for newtechnologies by the hydrocarbonsector in India, Middle East, SouthEast Asia and Africa. The R&Dactivities of the company, which arebasically in refining technology, targetfluid catalytic cracking hydro-processing, catalysis etc.

Chemical Weekly, 19 Aug 2003, 48 (52), 128

Kemira’s Ecocat purrs with new growthstrategy

For 1H 2003, Ecocat, previouslyknown as Kemira Metalkat, reported a30% rise in sales. The companyexpects that this increase will bemaintained in 2H 2003, because ofexpansion into new geographicalmarkets and new products. Sales for2002 were €34 M. In response toclients’ requests, Ecocat is permittingcompetitors’ substrates to be put ontoits own catalysts and for its substratesto be coated with competitors’products. This action has been takenbecause of consolidation inautomotive supplier sectors.

European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 8

OCTOBER 2003 3

F O C U S O N C A T A L Y S T S