disproportionation reactions, whichallow the transformation ofisobutylene into propylene. The firmintends to integrate Omega Plant intoits Alpha Plant process to convertraffinates into propylene and BTX.The Alpha Plant process producesBTX (benzene, toluene, xylenes)blend from C4 and C5 raffinates.

Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2004, 111 (7),13

Cotton-processing enzyme

Diversa Corp has unveiled an enzymedubbed Cottonase designed toenhance the efficiency of processingcotton textiles. This enzyme isclaimed to allow cleaning to occur at alower temperature, with less alkalineeded that may result in loweramount of wastewater generated. Asynergy is said to be achievedbetween the enzymes and auxiliarychemicals already utilised forpreparing yarn or fabrics for finishing,printing, and dyeing.

Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2004, 111 (7),15

Novel acrylics from Rohm and Haas

Rohm and Haas will collaborate withCalTech in formulating catalyticpolymerization technology for themanufacture of novel acrylics under athree-year project dubbed ProjectColumbus. The collaboration entailsformulating and synthesizing newcatalysts that are capable ofcontrolling the molecular structures ofacrylic polymers, then integrating thebest features of acrylics into those ofpolyolefins. The US National Instituteof Standards and Technology hasgranted a $2 M Advanced TechnologyProgramme Award to Rohm and Haasfor this initiative.

High Performance Plastics, Aug 2004, 9

Sumitomo Chemicals: process forcaprolactam

Sumitomo has developed a non-acidcatalytic process for makingcaprolactam, which avoids largequantities of ammonium sulfate by-product. The high-silica MFI zeolitecatalyst is combined with a novel fluid

bed reaction system. A 60,000tonne/y plant, which began operationin 2003, consumes less energy andmakes less waste.

European Chemical News, 2 Aug 2004, 81 (2111), 17

Nippon Shokubai develops newglycolic acid methyl ester process

Nippon Shokubai has developed asolution-phase oxidation synthesis,using a gold-based nanoparticulatecatalyst, for the synthesis of methylglycolate. There is a brief descriptionof the process. The company has setup a pilot plant at its Himeji, Japan,site and plans a full-scale plant(10,000 to 20,000 tonne/y) withinthree years.

Japan Chemical Week, 29 Jul 2004, 45 (2280), 1,3

Showa Denko develops new catalystfor alpha-tetralone production

A new process for the manufacture ofalpha-tetralone, an agrochemicalsand pharmaceuticals intermediate,has been developed by the Japanesecompany Showa Denko. Thetechnology is based on a new solid-acid catalyst and generates lesswaste the conventional manufacturingprocess.

Asian Chemical News, 6 Sep 2004, 10 (459), 6

Project of carbon dioxide-synthesiseddegradable plastics approved

CAS Guangzhou Chemical Co Ltd’sproject for the copolymerisation ofcarbon dioxide and its utilisation,involving carbon dioxide synthesisinto degradable plastics, has beenapproved. The pilot project has beentransferred to GuangzhouGuangzhong Enterprise Group Co Ltdand the 5000 tonne/y commercialproduction trial involving carbondioxide degradable plastics is beingjointly carried out. Several newcatalysts have been developed, whichare safe, low cost and involve simplepreparation processes. A 500 litrepilot test polymerisation reactiondemonstration production plant isbeing built. The intermittentpolymerisation process has beencompleted and several hundred kg ofproduct have been obtained. The

project has independent intellectualproperty rights.

China Chemical Reporter, 16 Jul 2004, 15 (20), 14

Composite lanthanide oxide catalysts

The research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences of theChinese Academy of Sciences, theGeneral Research Institute forNonferrous Metals (GRINM), andJingdezhen Fine Ceramics Plant havejointly progressed an R&D andapplication project into theenvironmental protection of largespecific surface mesopore rare earthcomposite oxide catalysts. The projectaims to solve problems relating to thecontrol of volatile industrial organicpollutants and the development of thecombustion of natural gas and rareearth catalysing materials. So far apilot production line has been set upand six industrial organic pollutantpurifying projects have beenprogressed.

China Chemical Reporter, 16 Jul 2004, 15 (20), 14

ENVIRONMENTEuropean road haulers to use urea-SCR

A new co-operation has been formedto contribute to a cleaner future in theroad haulage sector, as the vastmajority of western European heavytruck manufacturers have decided infavour of emission control using SCR(selective catalytic reduction)technology to meet the new Euro 4and Euro 5 exhaust emissionstandards. DAF, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Trucks, and VolvoTrucks together representapproximately 80% of the Europeantruck market. In parallel with thisintroduction, chemical and oilcompanies are safeguarding theregular supply of AdBlue, thewater/urea solution necessary forSCR technology. By means of acatalytic converter with the help ofmetered quantities of AdBlue sprayedinto the hot exhaust gas stream, SCRreduces harmful nitrogen oxides(NOx) into harmless nitrogen andwater. AdBlue is the commercialname for a high quality, standardised

6 OCTOBER 2004

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