clean diesel technologies like DOCsuse platinum group metals to breakdown pollutants or in DPFs andpDPFs to physically trap particulatematter. New clean diesel technology,such as DPFs and pDPFs, hasreduced emissions from heavy-dutydiesel trucks and buses by 99% fornitrogen oxides and 98% forparticulate emissions. Furthermore,by retrofitting, new diesel technologycan reduce emissions from olderdiesel trucks and buses by as muchas 90%.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, website:http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (21 Jun 2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

Biofuel investments at seven-year lowas BP blames cost

Funding for four separate ventureshas been discontinued by BP andRoyal Dutch Shell. The twocompanies saw that the technologyused in producing fuel from woodyplants and waste would not beeconomical until 2020 or beyond. Thedecision aided in cutting global biofuelproduction stakes investment from$7.6 bn in 4Q 2007 to $57 M in 1Q2013. Due to this, the industry willhave difficulties in helping the US andEurope in their goal to reduce fossilfuel pollution and wean motorists offcrude oil-based fuel. In order to meetclimate targets, biofuels should supplyabout 27% of road fuels globally by2050. In 2012, sugar or corn-basedethanol represented about 1.9 Mbarrels/d of biofuel produced. Thishas increased by 10% from 2011. BPand Shell are experiencing problemsin producing economical laboratorytechnology at a profitable scale. Shellindicated that the technologies areworking but could not be takenforward due to the cost. In Oct 2012,a four-year project with $300 Minvestment for a cellulosic ethanolrefinery in Florida was discontinuedby BP. It ended its work to usejatropha as a feedstock for fuels in2009. BP and DuPont & Co haveopened a 350 M pound wheat-to-ethanol facility in the UK. The plantwill produce biobutanol in the future.Shell did not go through with its plansto build a straw-based ethanol plant inCanada with Iogen. In Aug 2012,Shell discontinued its funding forbiofuel enzymes at Codexis Inc. The

company also did not continue itsalgae venture with HR BioPetroleumin 2011. Shell and BP are expandingtheir traditional biofuel businesses inBrazil where Shell has 23 refinerieswith Cosan SA Industria e Comercio.In Dec 2012, BP announced that itwould double its Tropical ethanolproject capacity for $350 M.

Original Source: Renewable Energy News, 10 Jul2013, (Website:http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/) © RenewableEnergyWorld.com 2013

Norilsk predicts palladium outputgrowth

Norilsk Nickel reports that the deficit inpalladium output will grow to 60 tonnesby 2020 unless steps are taken toincrease output. The lag betweenproduction and consumption stands at30 tonnes, or one million troy ounces.As consumption of both platinumjewellery and low-emission cars is onthe increase, this production gap willincrease. The gap could double in justseven years. Metal producers areaware of the disconnect betweensupply and demand and are likely totake steps to increase production. AJohnson Matthey report showed thatgreater demand for palladium from carmakers for low-emission vehicles andtighter pollution standards around theworld will see the deficit continuethroughout 2013. It revealed that therewas a 1.1 M ounce deficit in globalpalladium, excluding recycling, in 2012,with demand reaching 7.6 M ouncesbut a total supply of just 6.5 M ounces.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey Platinum Today,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (09 Jul2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

COMPANYNEWS

Albemarle reports 2Q 2013 results

Albemarle Corp reported 2Q endedJun 2013 earnings of $82.7 M, or$0.98/share, compared to 2Q endedJun 2012 earnings of $50.1 M, or$0.56/share. The company reportednet sales of $634.2 M in 2Q 2013,down from net sales of $684.9 M in2Q 2012, driven by exit from thephosphorus flame retardantsbusiness, lower metals surcharges,

unfavourable pricing in bromineportfolio and lower Fine ChemistryServices volumes, partly offset byfavourable volumes in RefineryCatalysts and Brominated FlameRetardant businesses.

Original Source: Albemarle, 2013. Found on PRNewswire, 17 Jul 2013, (Website:http://www.prnewswire.com)

Anglo American Platinum productionup despite stoppages

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats)production for the 2Q 2013 rosedespite a series of stoppages. Theworld’s number one producer reportedequivalent refined productionincreased by 2% to 594,000 ounces,in spite of intermittent illegal industrialaction. Excluding its Marikana jv,which was placed on care andmaintenance in Jun 2013, operatingmines improved production by 14,000ounces, an 8% increase on their prioryear performance. Palladiumproduction fell 10% to 320,000ounces in the 2Q 2013, while rhodiumslid 7% to 70,000 ounces. Palladiumand rhodium variances are a result ofa different source mix from operationsand different pipeline processingtimes for each metal. On a non-equivalent basis, refined platinumproduction was down 7% to 582,000ounces. The company said this wasdue to three separate productionincidents at the converting plant in Apr2013, which resulted in lower outputinto the refinery.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, website:http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (18 Jul 2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

BASF looks to biochemicals andenzymes

BASF has signed new agreements asit plans to engage in bio-basedchemicals and enzymes production.Under a deal to use Genomatica’sdirect fermentation technology, BASFwill build a 1,4-butanediol (BDO)facility with 50,000 tonne/y capacityusing renewable conventional sugarsto make commercially viable amountsof chemicals primarily for plastics andtextiles industries. The products areexpected to be available for samplingand trial by 2H 2013. BASF has acapacity of 535,000 tonne/y forconventional BDO. BDO is widely

2 SEPTEMBER 2013

F O C U S O N C A T A LY S T S