engineering microbes using genesfrom various species that encodeenzymes capable of breaking downbiomass. The firm’s consolidatedbioprocessing method has theenzymatic digestion of biomass andthe fermentation of resulting sugarsoccurring together to reduce costs.Meanwhile, Genomatica hasdeveloped a butanediol process witha technology platform thatemphasises directed evolution ofmicrobes and employs scaled-downmicroreactors to estimatefermentation reaction conditions. Thefirm is now producing a chemicalbuilding block, biologically sourced1,4-butanediol, at 3000 litre scales. Itis now establishing alliances to builda 10,000-20,000 litre demonstrationplant in 2011.

Chemical Engineering (New York), Jan 2011, 118 (1),15-16

COMPANYNEWS

Albemarle reports 4Q and full year2010 results

Albemarle Corp reported 4Q endedDec 2010 earnings of $85 M, or 92cts/share, (earnings of $62.3 M, or68 cts/share in 4Q ended Dec 2009).The company reported net sales of$605 M in 4Q 2010 ($558.2 M in 4Q2009). Earnings for 2010 were$323.7 M, or $3.51/share, (earningsof $178.4 M, or $1.94/share, in2009). Excluding the $7 M ($4.6 Mafter tax, or 5 cts/share) charge forrestructuring costs at Bergheim,Germany, site in 1Q 2010, and thespecial and one-time tax itemsreported for 2009, earnings for 2010were $328.3 M, or $3.56/share,(earnings for 2009 were $171.4 M, or$1.86/share). Total net sales for 2010were $2.36 bn ($2.01 bn in 2009).EBITDA was $545 M for 2010.Polymer Solutions delivered netsales in 4Q 2010 of $220 M, (+8%over $204 M in 4Q 2009). Catalystsgenerated net sales in 4Q 2010 of$231.6 M, (+11% over $207 M in 4Q2009). Fine Chemistry net sales for4Q 2010 were $153.4 M, (+5% over$154 M in 4Q 2009). R&D expenseswere $14.672 M for 4Q 2010,($14.837 M ion 4Q 2009) and were

$58.394 M for 2010 ($60.918 M in2009).

Albemarle Corp financial reports 4Q and 2010, 24 Jan2011 (Albemarle Corp, 330, South Fourth Street, POBox 1335, Richmond, VA 23210, USA. Tel: +1 804 7886000. Fax: +1 804 388 7686. Website:http://www.albemarle.com)

Albemarle completes R&D lab in SouthKorea

Albemarle’s R&D laboratories havebeen completed. Construction on thefirm’s Yeosu, South Korea, productionplant has commenced. The R&D labat the Yeosu site allows Albemarle toproduce samples of metallocenepolyolefin catalysts using the firm’sActivCat technology. Construction ofthe pilot plant will be concluded in2010. Intermediate commercialproduction will start in mid-2011, withfull commercial operation in 2012.

Hydrocarbon Processing, Dec 2010, 89 (12), 27

BASF completes CRI/Criterion styrenedeal

BASF has acquired the global styrenecatalyst operations of CRI/Criterion.The purchased business manufacturescatalysts used to dehydrogenateethylbenzene (EB) in styreneproduction. The deal covers relatedpatents and know-how in the area ofstyrene catalysts and CRI/Criterion’sinventory of styrene catalysts.

ICIS Chemical Business, 10 Jan 2011 (Website:http://icischemicalbusiness.com)

Bing Energy in university partnership

Bing Energy Inc (Bing) has enteredinto a commercialization agreementwith Florida State University that givesthe company exclusive use ofrevolutionary nanotechnology that willcreate a new generation of hydrogenfuel cells that are less expensive,smaller, lighter, and more durable.The technology, developed by theFlorida A&M University-Florida StateUniversity College of Engineering, willreduce the need for expensiveplatinum components in hydrogen fuelcells. Working with a material knownas buckypaper, a form of carbon thatis extraordinarily light and that easilyconducts heat or electricity, a thinmaterial, or membrane that will reducethe amount of platinum required infuel cells has been designed. Since

the membrane is thinner and lighterthan current components, the fuel cellcan be smaller and yet still provide thesame amount of power. Performanceimprovements of over 40%, durabilityimprovements of 25%, and all at alower cost make for a compellingstory. Bing will begin production inMar 2011 and will serve the domesticand international energy markets.Bing Energy Inc is a manufacturer ofstate-of-the-art components for polymerelectrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Press release from: Bing Energy Inc. Website:http://bingenergyinc.com/ (1 Feb 2011)

CDTech acquired by CB&I

Engineering company CB&I hasacquired CRI/Criterion’s chemicalsresearch and licensing business foran undisclosed sum. CRI/Criterion isa subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. Thedeal will increase CB&I’s stake inCatalytic Distillation Technologies(CDTech) from 50% to 100%. It will beintegrated into CB&I’s LummusTechnology division.

Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 10 Jan 2011, (534), 14 (inFrench)

Chemtura announces price increasefor AXION tin products of up to 20%

On 24 Jan 2011, Chemtura Corpannounced that due to the continuingescalation of the cost of tin rawmaterial, a further price increase of upto 20% will be implemented for allAXION tin products effective 1 Feb2011, or as contracts allow. AXION tinproducts are used amongst others inspecialty applications like glasscoating, synthesis, and catalystapplications. The cost of the rawmaterial tin continues to climb, drivenby tight supply and strong demand.LME tin prices have reached historicheights in the range of $27,000/tonne.It is our expectation that tin cost willcontinue to remain at high levels andwith very high volatility.

Press release from: Chemtura Corp, 199 Benson Road,Middlebury, CT 06749, USA. Tel: +1 203 573 2000.Website: http://www.chemtura.com (24 Jan 2011)

DSM and Codexis sign enzyme supplyagreement

DSM Pharmaceutical Products(DSM), the custom manufacturingorganization of Royal DSM NV, and

MARCH 2011 3

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