Catalysts: industry growth spurs R&D investments
The robust global demand for catalysts is encouraging suppliers to invest in major R&D projects. The Freedonia Group reported that global demand for catalysts will increase 6%/y to $16.3 bn through 2012, with polymerization catalysts leading the growth due to the rapid polymer capacity increase in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Chemical industry catalysts will also enjoy robust growth due to the growing petrochemical market in Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The bulk of ongoing R&D efforts target syngas catalysts, as syngas-to-chemical processes capitalize on rich raw materials, such as coal or biomass. According to The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR), the demand for syngas-to-methanol catalysts will likely increase 5-6%/y to 2013. Süd-Chemie inked a partnership with Dow Chemical in early 2009 for the development of catalysts to convert coal-or biomassbased syngas into chemicals, including alcohols and olefins. Süd-Chemie will also purchase BASF's syngas catalyst factory in Nanjing, China. BASF recently unveiled a syngas-to-olefins technology that involves the use of a new heterogeneous catalyst for massscale conversion to hydrocarbons through the Fischer-Tropsch method. Novomer is developing a method to integrate carbon dioxide into polymers and fine chemicals. A scaleable, lowenergy process to convert waste carbon dioxide and water into ethane, methane, propane, or methanol has been developed by US firm Carbon Sciences. For refinery catalyst, BASF recently unveiled the HDExtra catalyst, which increases diesel output at gasoline-oriented fluid catalytic cracking units. UOP is also developing catalysts to enhance diesel fuel quality. The company recently started a bio-based power and transportation jv firm with US company Ensyn called Envergent Technologies. UOP is aiming to further strengthen its presence in the biorefining sector.