Studies are underway on theconstruction of the second unit.

Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 1 Jul 2013,(639), (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie) (in French) © ETAI Information 2013

Haldor Topsoe and project partnersreach key milestone

On 24 Jun 2013, Haldor Topsoe A/Sand its project partners: AndritzCarbona, Gas Technology Institute,Phillips 66 Company, and UPM-Kymmene announced that it hadsuccessfully completed the firstproduction of gasoline from woodybiomass in an integrated 20 bbl/daydemonstration plant located nearChicago, US. This represents a keymilestone because all the individualtechnology steps that have beendemonstrated individually in the past forother purposes have now beenintegrated into one plant with theintention to produce transportation fuel.The integrated pilot plant consists ofAndritz Carbona gasification andAndritz Carbona/Haldor Topsoecatalytic reforming that produces cleansyngas, GTI/Uhde’s MorphysorboRGprocess to capture acid gases, andHaldor Topsoe’s TIGAS process toconvert syngas to gasoline. Woodybiomass is supplied by UPM-Kymmeneand Phillips 66 Company will conductsingle engine emission tests andmoderate fleet testing of the renewabledrop-in gasoline. The project has beensupported by the US Department ofEnergy (DOE), Golden Field Office,under its Integrated BiorefineryPlatform program to demonstrate anew technology for thermochemicalconversion of woody biomass intogasoline. The project team has workedunder a cost sharing contract with DOEsince 2010. The demonstration plantstarted operations in early 2013 and willcontinue with additional demonstrationruns during the fall of 2013 and thespring of 2014. The primary objective ofthe additional demonstration runs is tovalidate performance and economicsfor commercialization of the technology.

Original Source: Haldor Topsoe, website:http://www.topsoe.com/ (24 Jun 2013) © HaldorTopsoe A/S 2013

Henkel and c-LEcta collaborates forenzyme development

Henkel and c-LEcta have announcedthat they will co-develop new

enzymes for laundry detergents. TheGerman industrial biotech companywill be using its enzyme-engineeringtechnology, while Henkel will bedeveloping the detergent enzymes.

Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 24Jun 2013, 91 (25), 19 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) © American Chemical Society 2013

INEOS Bio produces cellulosic ethanolat commercial scale

INEOS Bio announced that its IndianRiver BioEnergy Centre is nowproducing cellulosic ethanol atcommercial scale. First ethanolshipments will be released in Aug2013. This is the first commercial-scaleproduction in the world using INEOSBio’s breakthrough gasification andfermentation technology for conversionof biomass waste into bioethanol andrenewable power.

Original Source: INEOS Bio, 2013. Found on PRNewswire, 31 Jul 2013, (Website:http://www.prnewswire.com)

Micromidas develops chemo-catalyticprocess for producing bio-based PETfrom agricultural waste

Micromidas Inc, a startup based inWest Sacramento, CA, USA, aims todevelop a completely plant-basedPET by swapping typical buildingblocks of corn or sugar cane for oldcorrugated cardboard, paper sludge,and rice hulls. The firm uses a chemo-catalytic process to convert cellulosicbiomass directly into p-xylene, aprecursor to PTA. According to thecompany, its process is designed tobe efficient, selective and high-purity.Unlike other processes, Micromidasforegoes fermentation. And whilemost bioplastic typically requires firstconverting biomass to sugar beforecontinuing the chemical conversion,Micromidas is able to skip that step.The process also doesn’t produce anyof the excess co-products ofaromatics, like m-xylene or o-xylene,created when making p-xylene frompetroleum, allowing converters to skipan extra purification step. UsingMicromidas’ process could allow forbio-based PET on par in price withtraditional PET. The firm should finishconstruction on its first pilot plantwithin the next two months. The planteventually will consume 1-2 ton/day ofproducts, but it will take some time to

get there. The next step will be acommercial plant.

Original Source: Micromidas, 2013. Found onSpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 14 Jun 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)

Mintek to keep focused on platinum-based catalysts for fuel cells

South Africa’s state-owned mineral andmetallurgical innovation research firmMintek is to remain focused onplatinum-based catalysts for fuel cells.Chief executive Abiol Mngomezulu toldMPs that the company remainscommitted to R&D to promote efficientmineral processing technologies toproduce value-added products andservices for the mining industry, reportsIndependent Online. The commentcame after it was revealed theJapanese government and itsmultinational companies would beinvolved in future fuel cell technologybeneficiation in South Africa.Meanwhile, ministers have announcedtheir support for a major new fuel celltrial involving Anglo American Platinumand Ballard Power Systems. Trade andindustry minister Rob Davies haspreviously indicated he wants platinum-based technologies to supply small-scale electricity generators.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey, website:http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (19 Jun 2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

Oxford Catalysts Group renamed Velocys

Oxford Catalysts Group PLC ischanging its name to Velocys plc on25 Sept 2013. The former companyacquired Velocys in 2008 and the twocompanies have worked togethersince then. Their activities embraceGTL process development, F-Treactors and catalysts, microchannelreactors, and catalyst production.

Original Source: Velocys Inc, website:http://www.velocys.com (31 Jul 2013) © OxfordCatalysts Group plc 2013

World first in solid acid alkylation

Shadong Wonfull PetrochemicalGroup Co Ltd has signed a contractwith CB&I, an energy infrastructurecompany that will provide thelicensing and processing engineeringdesign of the world’s first solid acidalkylation unit, which is to be built in

4 SEPTEMBER 2013

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