rapidly growing. In response to this growth, catalysts production and shipments in Japan, which exceeded 90,000 tonnes in 2002, further increased to 92,250 tonnes in 2003. Production and shipments were up 2% and 3% respectively in 2003. Growth in demand for automotive catalysts is being fuelled by tightening emission standards.
Japan Chemical Week, 7 Oct 2004, 45 (2289), 8
Japanese photocatalyst market increased by 76% in 2003
High performance titanium dioxide products are being developed to take advantage of the growing demand from the photocatalyst market. There was a 76% increase in sales by the 48 member companies of the Japanese Association of Photocatalysts Products in 2003 to Yen 25.3 bn/y. Demand in Japan is estimated at Yen 50 bn/y. Titanium dioxide consumption for photocatalysts is estimated at around 324 tonnes and rapid growth is forecast.
Japan Chemical Week, 14 Oct 2004, 45 (2290), 7
US demand for enzymes increasing
Demand for enzymes in the US is set to rise by 6%/y to 1.9 bn by 2008. Demand for enzymes used in pharmaceuticals will rise by 10.9%/y to $470 M. Demand for enzymes in food, beverages, and starch processing will improve by 3.8%/y to $596 M. The use of enzymes in the research, biotech, and diagnostics sectors is set to rise by 5.7%/y to $415 M.