platinum in the autocatalyst industry isdiscussed. A table shows platinumgroup metal supplies per country. Asecond table shows platinum andpalladium resources at the BushveldComplex.

Materials World, Jul 2007, 15 (7), 41-42

Investment boom grips industry:biodiesel

Global biodiesel output is pegged at6-7 M tonne/y, which could expand by15-20 M tonnes with the addition ofnew facilities. Tax breaks, investmentincentives, high margins, andmandatory regulations in differentcountries are said to be bolstering theindustry. Demand for biodiesel in theEU is estimated at 6-7 M tonnes andcould reach 9-10 M tonnes by 2009.Installed capacity is forecast toexceed 15 M tonnes in 2009-2010.Different process technologies arealso being developed such ashydrocracking and biomass-gasification. More than 100 newbiodiesel facilities are currently beingestablished, and this refinery build-upis seen to affect the vegetable oilsand animal fats supply in the foodsindustry. To help address this issue,the industry is studying the viability ofalternative sources such as algae andthe non-food crop jatropha. A tableshows the yields of main crops forbiodiesel or other uses. A secondtable presents the production andinvestment cost for biofuel facilities.

Oils and Fats International, Jun 2007, 23 (4), 40-42

Lithuania’s biotech industry numbertwo in E Europe

Lithuania is pinning big hopes on thebiotech sector although there are onlyten companies in the industry. Thesehad sales of €26 M in 2006 (up 30%on 2005), putting the company insecond place in central Europe.Margins are lucrative and profits high.The main areas of interest aremedical, pharmaceutical, andmolecular biology. Fermentas isamong the world’s top five suppliersof enzymes and reagents. Thecompany sells 99% of its productsabroad and had sales of €14.7 M in2006, a rise of a third on 2005. €1.5 Mis spent each year on R&D. The latestproject is a high-tech plant for the

production of molecular biologyproducts. The plant is due onstreamin Sep 2007.

Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 27 Jul 2007 (Website:http://www.nfa-online.de) (in German)

COMPANYNEWS

Albemarle reports 2Q 2007 results

Albemarle Corp reported 2Q endedJun 2007 net income of $53.9 M, or55 cts/share (net income of $43.3 M,or 45 cts/share, for 2Q ended Jun2006), due to strong performance inthe company’s Fine Chemicals andCatalysts business segments.Excluding the $3.1 M after tax chargerelated to the closure of Dayton finechemicals facility, 2Q 2007 netincome was $57 M. The companyreported net sales in 2Q 2007 totalling$564 M ($569 M in 2Q 2006). Netincome for 1H ended Jun 2007 was$112 M or $1.15/share (net income of$77.7 M or 80 cts/share for 1H endedJun 2006). Excluding the Daytoncharge, net income for 1H 2007 was$115.1 M. Net sales for 1H 2007 were$1.153 bn ($1.176 bn for 1H 2006).During 2Q 2007: Polymer Additivesrecorded net sales of $224 M andsegment income declined 10% to$35.3 M; Catalysts recorded net salesof $207.4 M and segment incomeincreased 10% to $32.4 M; and FineChemicals net sales were $132.4 Mand segment income increased 55%to $21.3 M. R&D expenses were$14.924 M during 2Q 2007 ($11.198M in 2Q 2006) and $30.635 M in 1H2007 ($22.643 M in 1H 2006).

Albemarle 2Q and 1H 2007 results, 24 Jul 2007(Albemarle Corp, 330, South Fourth Street, PO Box1335, Richmond, VA 23210, USA. Tel: +1 804 7886000. Fax: +1 804 388 7686. Website:http://www.albemarle.com)

Basell: Jan-Mar 2007: consolidatedinterim financial statements

For its 1Q 2007 (period ends 31 Mar2007), the Technology division ofBasell Holdings BV has reportedsales of €86 M (€93 M for its 1Q2006), operating income of €18 M(€12 M), net income of €18 M (€12M), and capital investments of €2 M(€6 M). The Technology business,

which licenses Basell’s processtechnologies, concluded three licenceagreements totalling 980,000 tonne/ycapacity. The catalysts business hadvolumes up 11% on 1Q 2006.

Basell 1Q 2007 Report, 3 May 2007, 3, 9 (BasellHoldings BV, Hoeksteen 66, PO Box 625, 2130 APHoofddorp, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands 2130. Tel:+31 20 44 68 644. Fax: +31 20 44 68 649. Website:http://www.basell.com)

Basell 2006: acquisitions & disposals2006

For its fiscal 2006 (period ends 31Dec 2006) Basell Holdings NV hasreported on its acquisitions anddisposals. On 31 Mar 2006, the Groupacquired Akzo Nobel’s PolymerisationCatalyst & Components business.The business includes catalystmanufacturing and other assets inEdison, NJ. On 2 Jun 2006, Basellcompleted the sale of theComponents business and CustomCatalyst assets located at Edison, NJ,to WR Grace for a total amount of $20M, including $4 M of working capital.The resulting gain amounted to €10 M.

Basell Polyolefins Annual Report 2006, 23 Feb 2007,41-42 (Basell Holdings BV, see previous abstract)

Basell’s latest Avant ZN catalysts nowavailable for polyolefin producers inChina

On 6 Jun 2007, Basell announced thecommercialisation of its latestgeneration Avant ZN catalysts inChina, addressing customer requestsfrom the country’s expandingpolyolefins industry. First customer tobe served will be CSPC, a leadingChinese polyolefin producer. CSPC ispleased to continue and expand thecooperation with Basell on its AvantZN catalysts, which enable theproduction of a wide range ofhomopolymers and copolymers, saidMr Li Cai, Manager for LDPE, HDPEand PP at CSPC.

Press release from: Basell Holdings BV (see previousabstract) (6 Jun 2007)

BASF ups stake in nanotech startup

SDCmaterials, a nanomaterialsstartup based in Tempe, AZ, in whichBASF subsidiary BASF VentureCapital owns interest, will spend

2 SEPTEMBER 2007

F O C U S O N C A T A L Y S T S