Sumitomo uses new metallocenecatalyst in LDPE plant

Sumitomo Chemical plans to use anew metallocene catalyst for theproduction of LDPE, in an existingplant, starting Oct 2002. The companyis to close two solvent-basedpolypropylene plants (combinedcapacity 80,000 tonne/y) and willdebottleneck two other PP lines (from270,000 to 350,000 tonne/y).

Japan Chemical Week, 11 Apr 2002, 43 (2167), 1

Titan Petrochemicals to producecutting edge resins

Malaysian leading petrochemicals andpolymer producer, TitanPetrochemicals & Polymers Bhd(Titan), is about to manufactureadvanced metallocene polyethyleneresins, which are likely to be availableby Sep 2002. At present, Malaysiaimports metallocene polyethylenefrom Japan and the US. Titan, whichwill be the first company to producemetallocene polyethylene in SouthEast Asia, will be able to meet boththe domestic and internationaldemands, and hence furthersubstitute the imports besidesincreasing the foreign exchangeearnings. Meanwhile, the Titan grouphas entered into a supply agreementwith Univation Technologies LLC forthe necessary metallocene catalyst.Johor-based Titan group is a jvbetween US-based Chao GroupInternational and PermodalanNational Bhd.

The Star, 16 Apr 2002 (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

Novozymes rolls out new lipase forcold wash temperatures

Novozymes has launched Lipex(lipase, active at 20°C, can be usedwith linear alkylbenzene sulfonates)into the detergent enzymes market.Product launch is imminent in theUSA and due in Europe in 2H 2002.Novozyme’s sales of technicalenzymes fell 3% in 2001 due tocompetition and pricing pressure.The company plans to launch newproteases and cellulases into thedetergent enzymes market.

Chemical Market Reporter, 29 Apr 2002 (Website:http://www.chemexpo.com/cmronline)

ENVIRONMENTFord Motor Co intends to use rare earthoxides with PGMs in auto catalysts

Ford Motor Co intends to utilise rareearth oxides with platinum groupmetals (PGMs) in North Americanauto catalysts in its 2003 automobilemodels. The use of PGMs is expectedto be reduced by 50% with the newconverters starting in 2002. Thecompany also intends to offer surpluspalladium stocks, an announcementwhich led to a $27/troy oz decline inpalladium prices.

Elements, 1 May 2002, 3 (5) (Websitehttp://www.rareearthsmarketplace.com)

Showa Denko develops anaestheticwaste gas disposal system

Anesclean is the first disposal systemfor waste anaesthetic gases inhospitals worldwide. Developed byShowa Denko in conjunction with theDepartment of Anaesthesiology atKyushu University, the system uses acatalyst to decompose the mixture ofwaste nitrous oxide and volatilehalogenated ether derivatives. Nitrousoxide is decomposed and removedand the volatile anaesthetics areabsorbed. Nitrogen oxides are notgenerated during the process.Marketing of the system will becarried out by Showa Engineering CoLtd, with sales starting in Sep 2002.After five years, sales are forecast atYen 1 bn/y. Showa Denko holds 50%of Japan’s market for nitrous oxide formedical use.

Pharma Japan, 29 Apr 2002, (1793), 24-25

Smopex scavenger: from JohnsonMatthey

Johnson Matthey has launched aprecious metal scavenging systemnamed Smopex, to completelyremove low levels of precious metalsfrom catalytic processes. This enablesthe metal to be recovered efficientlyand rapidly.

European Chemical News, 29 Apr 2002, 76 (2003), 26

Enzyme destroys pesticides

An alternative method of disposal ofwaste from organophosphate

pesticides has been found by a groupof Californian researchers. Agenetically altered version of E colicontains an organophosphateconsuming enzyme isolated from soilmicrobes. A genetic variation of theenzyme consumes methyl parathionmany times faster than the originalenzyme. Commercial versions of theenzymes, not the microbesthemselves, would find use in theclean up of contaminated sites.

Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 22 Apr 2002, 30(26), 27

Danisco’s seaweed-based enzyme

A new enzyme derived from seaweed,hexose oxidase, has been launchedby Danisco to replace ascorbic acidand bromate in the production ofbread. It can also be used in theproduction of cheese. Sales of up toDKR 100 M are expected within fiveyears. The enzyme has received FDAapproval in the US and has beenpatented in several other countries.

Chemical Week, 24 Apr 2002, 164 (17), 29

PATENTSMicrowave heating speeds silicalitesynthesis

Silicalites having the same physicaland catalytic properties as thosemade hydrothermally can be made inminutes (rather than hours or days) ifmicrowave heating is used.

US 6,387,349, 14 May 2002, CSIR, Hyderabad, India

Oxidation of aromatics to phenoland/or cresols

A Russian invention assigned to GEC.Nitrous oxide is the oxidant, catalysedby a high-silica catalyst containing zinc.

US 6,388,145, 14 May 2002, General Electric Co,Schenectady, USA

Hydroformylation in the presence of acrown ether

Hydroformylation of C3 – C12 olefins,catalysed by a rhodium complex witha sulfonated triphenyl phosphine, isimproved if a crown ether is added tothe aqueous phase.

US 6,388,142, 14 May 2002, Celanese ChemicalsEurope, Germany

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