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Second-generation biofuels need work

Developments in pyrolysis, cellulosic
materials, algae and other processes
are spurring a new generation of
biofuels that have the potential to
displace corn-based ethanol as the
biofuel of choice. Lurgi, a subsidiary
of French gas manufacturer Air
Liquide, is demonstrating a combined
pyrolysis/Fischer-Tropsch (FT) route
based on cellulose at the science and
engineering research institute
Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in
Germany. The company plans to set
up a gasification plant in a joint project
with another German institute by
2011. In the process, straw will be
used to make automotive fuel, with
the cereal harvest for rural Europe
expected to provide ample supply of
the raw material. In the sector for
cellulosic material-based biofuels, one
notable development is French firm
Proteus and Swiss company
Syngentas collaboration to develop
novel, high-performing enzymes to
produce next-generation biofuels.
Cellulose-based ethanol production is
considered a serious undertaking,
with Syngenta saying that
transforming biomass into biofuels
requires innovations in chemical
preparation of the cellulosic biomass,
saccharification of biomass using
enzymes, and development of new
microorganisms to ferment the sugars
to ethanol.
ICIS Chemical Business, 2 Mar 2009, 275 (9), 17

White biotech is catalyst for industry

growth
Consultancy McKinsey & Co
projected that sales of industrial or
so-called white biotechnologyderived products will grow to make
up for 9% of the worldwide sales of
the chemical industry, but
petrochemical-based advancement
will diminish. Revenues are forecast
to expand from 100 bn ($128 bn),
equivalent to 6% of the chemical
industrys 2007 total, to 153 bn by
2012. This increase will be fuelled by
the advancement of applications that
would reach commercial-scale
production.
ICIS Chemical Business, 9 Mar 2009, 275(10), 8 &
16 Mar 2009, 275 (11), 13 (the Powerpoint press
briefing can be accessed via Google using the search
terms: McKinsey, Riese, Press, Briefing, 2009)

APRIL 2009

COMPANY
NEWS
Albemarle declares dividend
The Board of Directors of Albemarle
Corp increased the regular quarterly
dividend share to $0.125/share from
$0.12. The dividend is payable 1 Apr
2009 to shareholders of record at the
close of business as of 15 Mar 2009.
The annualised dividend rate is 50
ct/share. Albemarle Corp, headquartered in Baton Rouge, is a leading
global developer, manufacturer and
marketer of highly engineered speciality
chemicals for consumer electronics;
petroleum and petrochemical
processing; transportation and
industrial products; pharmaceuticals;
agricultural products; and construction
and packaging materials. The company
operates in three business segments
Polymer Additives, Catalysts and Fine
Chemicals, and serves customers in
about 100 countries.
Press release from: Albemarle Corp, 451, Florida
Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, USA. Tel: +1 225 388
7402 or +1 800 535 3030. Fax: +1 225 388 7848.
Website: http://www.albemarle.com (18 Feb 2009)

Chemrec completes biorefinery

funding round
Chemrec has successfully concluded
a $20 M financing round to help bring
to market its black liquor-to-syngas
technology. European venture capital
fund Environmental Technologies
Fund led the investment. Vantage
Point Venture Partners and Volvo
Technology Transfer also contributed
financing for the project.
Nitrogen + Syngas, Jan/Feb 2009, (297), 16

European projects target biofuels

The Netherlands Cosun and
Avantium will team up on a two-year
jv to develop a new generation of
bioplastics and biofuels derived from
organic waste. Cosun will handle the
selection, segregation, and
purification of suitable materials from
agricultural wastes, while Avantium
will work on a chemically catalyzed
production technology. The latter is
already formulating such plastics and
fuels under the Furanics brand.
Meanwhile, Syngenta and French

biotechnology company Proteus are

collaborating on the development of
enzymes for converting biomass into
fuel. Proteus will contribute to the
partnership its modified enzymes
capable of withstanding high
temperature levels under alkaline
conditions.
Chemical and Engineering News, 26 Jan 2009, 20

Faurecia Exhaust Systems downsizes

Faurecia Exhaust Systems (FES)
(Bakov nad Jizerou, Czech Republic),
car exhaust system manufacturer, will
dismiss 90 of its 500 employees by
the middle of Feb 2009, due to falling
demand. FES manufactures exhaust
systems with catalytic converters, the
main parts of which are the monoliths
containing precious metals such as
platinum, palladium, or rhodium. The
metals then bind the dangerous
substances that are products of the
catalytic reaction in the monoliths.
One of the main customers of FES is
the automotive company Skoda Auto
(Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic).
Hospodarske Noviny, 18 Feb 2009, 53 (34), 19 (in
Czech)

Strong 4Q 2008 for Genzyme concludes

productive year
Genzyme Corp announced solid 4Q
2008 revenue and earnings growth
and provided guidance for 2009 that
underscored its positive outlook for
the year. GAAP net income rose to
$86.7 M or $0.31/diluted share for 4Q
2008 (GAAP net income of $78.9 M or
$0.29/diluted share in 4Q 2007). NonGAAP net income increased 16% to
$288.5 M during 4Q 2008 (non-GAAP
net income of $249.2 M in 4Q 2007).
As previously announced, 4Q 2008
revenue rose 13% to $1.17 bn,
reflecting an approximate $39 M
negative impact of foreign exchange,
($1.04 bn in 4Q 2007). Total revenue
in 2008 increased 21% to $4.6 bn
($3.8 bn in 2007). GAAP net income
was $421.1 M or $1.50/diluted share
(GAAP net income of $480.2 M or
$1.74/diluted share in 2007). NonGAAP net income increased 18% to
$1.1 bn (non-GAAP net income of
$939.9 M in 2007). Non-GAAP
earnings increased 15% to $4/diluted
share from $3.47 in 2007. R&D
expenses were $358.43 M for 4Q
2008 ($197.323 M in 4Q 2007) and