12% compared with 4Q 2011. Double-digit percentage increases inpolypropylene catalyst sales offsetlower polyethylene catalyst sales.Segment gross margin was 41.0%compared with 38.0% in 4Q 2011.The increase in gross margin primarilywas due to improved base pricing andlower unit manufacturing costsresulting from increased operatingleverage and productivity initiatives.Segment operating income was$102.6 M compared with $96.9 M in4Q 2011. Segment operating marginwas 31.3%, an increase of 490 basispoints compared with 4Q 2011.Catalyst Technologies’ sales for fullyear 2012 were $1268.1 M (2011:$1347.3 M). Adjusted EBIT for 2012was $393.8 M (2011: $388.8 M). Keyresults are tabulated.

Original Source: WR Grace & Co, website:http://www.grace.com ( 6 Feb 2013) © WR Grace &Co - Conn 2013

Tin-free catalyst for condensation-curing for mould-making compounds

New from Wacker Group is a tin-freecatalyst for two-part, room temperature-curing silicone rubber grades for use inencapsulation and mould-makingapplications. Elastosil Catalyst NEOhas been customized for thecondensation-curing base componentsof Elastosil M rubber grades. Theorgano-tin free material offers apractical alternative to traditional tin-based catalysts. Mould-makingcompounds catalyzed with ElastosilCatalyst NEO can be processed usingconventional methods. They have thesame mechanical properties asconventionally cured compounds.Elastosil Catalyst NEO is intended toprovide an amply long pot life formaking moulds of large objects andensure curing of the compounds within24 hours.

Original Source: Rubber World, Jan 2013, 247 (4), 16(Website: http://www.rubberworld.com/) © RubberWorld Magazine 2013

NEW PLANTSUOP technology selected to moderniserefinery in Kazakhstan to producegasoline and diesel

UOP LLC announced that itstechnology has been selected by the

largest refiner in Kazakhstan to helpit upgrade its plant and boost theproduction of gasoline and diesel.KazMunaiGas’ (KMG) Pavlodar OilChemical Refinery (POCR) will usea range of UOP processes andservices to modernise its plant inNortheast Kazakhstan Province,allowing it to meet Euro-5 standardsaimed at reducing motor vehiclepollution.

Original Source: Honeywell, 2013. Found on PRNewswire, 21 Feb 2013, (Website:http://www.prnewswire.com)

NEWTECHNOLOGY

Dream production using carbondioxide

Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) isworking with the CAT Catalytic Centerat the RWTH Aachen University in itscatalytic research. The centre, nearthe firm’s Leverkusen headquarters,was founded by Bayer and theuniversity in 2008. It is also backed bythe state of North-Rheine Westphalia.The partners have spent €20 M onthe first two phases of activities at thecentre, which now extend to 2022.The interdisciplinary centre is nowfocused on developing new catalyticreactions, labelled dream reactions,with the primary area of interest beingthe use of carbon dioxide recoveredfrom electricity generating plants as abuilding block for plastics. Under theBMS Dream Production project, theCAT Catalytic Center is looking forways to enhance the catalyst systemused to develop carbon dioxide as afeedstock for polyol production. Thepolyols are initially to serve as buildingblocks for flexible polyurethane foamfor mattresses and furniture. Bayerand the CAT Catalytic Center are alsopart of the 13-member researchalliance for the CO2RRECT project(CO2-Reaction using RegenerativeEnergies and Catalytic Technologies).One goal of the group is to usesurplus electricity from wind farms inan innovative process to generatehydrogen.

Original Source: Chemistry and Industry (London),Jan 2013, 77 (1), 15 (Website: http://www.soci.org/)© Society of Chemical Industry 2013

Petronas and LanzaTech to recyclecarbon dioxide into sustainablechemicals

Malaysia’s national oil firm Petronasand LanzaTech have announced apartnership aimed at advancing thedevelopment and commercializationof technologies to producesustainable chemicals from carbondioxide and natural gas. Theagreement brings together Petronas’considerable experience and in thepetroleum industry with LanzaTech’sproprietary gas fermentationtechnology to create a sustainableand economical source of high valuechemicals. LanzaTech’s processtransforms carbon monoxide inindustrial waste gases, reformednatural gas, and gas obtained fromany biomass source, into low carbonfuels and chemicals. It will be used tocapture waste from Petronas’operations to develop low-cost routesto downstream products. The partnersare looking to extend the technologyto include carbon dioxide-containinggases from various sources includingrefinery off-gases and natural gaswells to produce acetic acid, a high-value chemical used in polymers andplastics applications.

Original Source: Green Chemistry Network Newsletter,Feb 2013, (42), 9 (Website:http://www.greenchemistrynetwork.org) © GreenChemistry Network 2013

Cobalt-free curing taking off

AkzoNobel has developed a range ofcobalt-free accelerators for theambient temperature curing ofunsaturated polyesters and vinyl esterresins in anticipation of the growingenvironmental pressure on cobalt.Since Aug 2012, cobalt carboxylatessuch as cobalt octoate have beenlisted as CMR2 Reprotoxic under CLPby the Cobalt REACH Consortium.The material may be reclassified tocarcinogenic class 1B, which wouldlimit their application. AkzoNobel’sNouryact range of cobalt-freeaccelerators is based on copper,manganese, and iron. The easy-to-use accelerators can be blended atroom temperature into a normal baseresin, making them ideal for allcomposite component makers, end-users and resin producers. TheNouryact range can also be used to

6 APRIL 2013

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