rhodium for use in catalytic convertersfrom car manufacturers has remainedlow and does not show signs ofimproving in the near future. Whiledemand remains subdued and above-ground stockpiles are high, rhodium isunlikely to see much movement inprice. However, an analyst fromDeutsche Bank AG suggested thatthe low price and favourableperformance of rhodium catalyticconverters could see car markers turnback to the metal.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey Platinum Today,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (13 Aug2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

June platinum output falls

Platinum output from South Africanmines slumped by nearly a fifth in Jun2013 compared to Jun 2012. Miningproduction decreased 6.2% year-on-year in Jun 2013, led by an 18.9%drop in output of platinum groupmetals (pgms), according to StatisticsSouth Africa data. The largestcontributors to the overall slump inmining output were pgms (4.6%) andgold (2.3%). Seasonally adjustedmining production decreased by 3% inJun 2013 compared with May 2013.For the three months to Jun 2013,pgm output was down nearly a tenth(9.5%) from 1Q 2013. Mining salesdecreased by 8.5% year-on-year inMay 2013. The largest negativegrowth rates were recorded for gold(42.6%), nickel (20%), and ‘other’metallic’ minerals (15.5%). Sales ofpgms, which include platinum,palladium, rhodium, among others,were down 0.9% in the three monthsto May 2013 from the previousquarter.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey Platinum Today,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (9 Aug2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

IEA publishes update of advanced,cellulosic biofuel projects

A 2012 report from the InternationalEnergy Agency Bioenergy Task 39group indicates that global outputcapacity for lignocellulosic biofuelshas grown threefold to roughly140,000 tonnes of fuel from 2010. Theoutput capacity for hydrotreatingtechnology stood at 2.19 M tonne/y,increasing at an even faster rate.Meanwhile, 14 of the 71 actively

pursued biofuel projects were still inthe planning stage at end-2012, 9were still under construction and 48were already operational.

Original Source: Biomass Power & Thermal, 3 Jun2013, (Website: http://biomassmagazine.com) © BBIInternational 2013

COMPANYNEWS

Bac2’s latent acid catalyst eliminatesfree formaldehyde

Bac2, the polymer materials company,is enabling companies to comply withincreasing stringent legislation relatingto free formaldehyde through its CSRlatent acid catalyst. Formaldehyderesin systems use latent catalysts tocontrol the manufacturing processand end product characteristics. Manyof these ammonia-based catalystsrely upon the presence of freeformaldehyde to release the acid. Inresins with very low levels of freeformaldehyde the ammonia-basedcatalysts are less active. Bac2’s CSRlatent acid catalysts usehydroxylamine as a base retarder andcan be activated at relatively lowtemperatures in the absence of freeformaldehyde. Concerns overpossible health hazards are leadingthe global legislative drive forformaldehyde reduction. It is classedas a carcinogen, or probablecarcinogen, by a growing number ofgovernmental agencies. Buildingmaterials are of particular concern.Already, some wood suppliers andcabinet companies are taking steps tolabel their products as “formaldehydefree”, seeking marketing advantagefrom changes to their manufacturingprocesses. CSR latent acid catalystsassist these efforts and deliveradditional manufacturing andenvironmental benefits. The catalystsactivate at between 50° and 120°,depending on the application andrequired speed of cure, a much lowertemperature than alternative products.This saves energy and reduces CO2emissions. They have no detrimentaleffect on the mould-flow or othercharacteristics of the resins withwhich they are used and the storagelife of pre-polymeric mixes for SMCand BMC is extended to several

months, simplifying storage,transportation and materials handling.

Original Source: BAC2, website: http://bac.co.uk (22 Aug 2013) © Bac2 Limited 2013

BASF interim report for 1H 2013:functional materials & solutionssegment

Sales grew in the Functional Materials& Solutions segment from €4412 M in2Q 2012 to €4503 M in 2Q 2013.BASF were able to increase volumesin the Coatings and PerformanceMaterials divisions, while it posted adecline in sales volumes in theConstruction Chemicals division. Thesales contribution from precious metaltrading was lower than in 2Q 2012due to decreased volumes. BASFwere able to significantly improveincome from operations before specialitems. All divisions contributed to thisincrease. The Catalysts division’ssales slightly decreased from €1467M in 2Q 2012 to €1463 M in 2Q 2013.As a result of lower volumes, thesales contribution from precious metaltrading fell to €588 M (2Q 2012: €631M). Sales volumes of chemicalcatalysts declined, but volumes ofautomotive and refinery catalystsincreased. Earnings grewconsiderably.

Original Source: BASF, website: http://www.basf.com/(25 Jul 2013) © BASF 2013

Clariant International: financial review1H/2Q 2013: Catalysis & Energy

For its 1H 2013, the Catalysis &Energy business unit of ClariantInternational Ltd has reported sales ofSFR 316 M (SFR 342 M for its 1H2012), EBITDA of SFR 70 M (SFR 65M), and operating income of SFR 37M (SFR 31 M). For its 2Q 2013, thisbusiness unit has reported sales ofSFR 197 M (SFR 211 M for its 2Q2012), EBITDA of SFR 51 M (SFR 47M), and operating income of SFR 35M (SFR 30 M).

Original Source: Clariant International Ltd,Rothaustrasse 61, CH-4132 Muttenz 1, Switzerland,website: http://www.clariant.com (30 Jul 2013) © Clariant 2013

Codexis, Purolite form enzymes pact

Enzyme developer Codexis andPurolite, suppler of resins for enzymeimmobilization, have teamed up to

2 OCTOBER 2013

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