The Catalyst Review June 2024 - 2

The Catalyst Review
An industry-focused, leading edge catalysis technology reference from The Catalyst Group Resources
THE CATALYST REVIEW
(ISSN 0898-3089)
June 2024, Volume 37, Issue 6
Published by The Catalyst Group
Resources, Inc., 750 Bethlehem
Pike,
This month we have a Special Feature on advances in catalysis for
methanol. eMethanol is becoming more important as an eFuel, an
intermediate and as an IMO shipping fuel. The longer-term aim is to
produce largely from CO2
Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002, USA
+1-215-628-4447
thecatalystreview@catalystgrp.
com
as its main feedstock, but there are still some
cost/performance challenges the industry is working hard to overcome.
We have another Innovation Corner; I won't spoil your curiosity. One
important announcement warrants closer scrutiny- the IEA has
reported that in 2022, energy RD&D budgets decreased by 4% to $24.6B
compared to 2021, following five years of consecutive increase. Nuclear
power's share declined dramatically, while energy efficiency and
renewable grew as a percentage, no surprises there. What is important
is the trend, given that the only way to avoid huge inflation as part of
the energy transition is to develop new cost/performance solutions
by increased investment in catalysis, materials science and process
engineering. This issue must be centrally pursued and strongly voiced
as part of the ICC24 meeting coming up in Lyon next month!
June Hot Topics!
Leading US Activities:
● There is a glut of US renewable diesel! Capacity quadrupled from 791 million
gallons in 2021 to 3 billion gallons in 2023. Now there are some closings by
biofuel producers, with more likely to come.
● More US refining consolidation with ConocoPhillips' bid to acquire Marathon Oil
for $17B. Also, further mid-stream announcements e.g., WTF Midstream.
● Starting next month, we will change this segment called " US " to " North America " .
We should not forget our close neighbors because they are all part of the
intertwined energy markets flowing North to South and South to North.
● At the recent ESF Meeting in New Orleans, it was apparent that support from Oil
& Gas companies was down from last year.
Smaller Considerations:
● Financial markets and VC sources are being more cautious in energy and
chemical technology investments. One reason is that AI and health seem to be
the booming sectors.
International:
● BASF is rapidly expanding its biomass chemical intermediates business portfolio
with BDO, THF and DMPA. Interestingly, at the same time it announced it will
divest its enzyme business unit.
● Turquoise H2
is receiving international attention, as the leading alternative to Blue
H2 for shorter term commercialization.
Upcoming Updates: Dr. Salvatore Ali takes us into the Polyolefins transfer market
where he will discuss and provide expert insight into the international technology,
leading process technologies and recent advancements, and the technology market
and trends.
Copyright ©2024 by The Catalyst Group Resources, Inc.
POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to:
The Catalyst Group Resources, Inc.
750 Bethlehem Pike
Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002, USA
Copyright 2024 The Catalyst Group
Resources, Inc. All rights reserved.
Legal Disclaimer. Copyright
Clearance Center.
The Catalyst Group Resources,
Inc. is a division of The Catalyst
Group, Inc., a worldwide technical
& commercial consultancy
specializing in chemical processdriven
change. The Catalyst Group
Resources, Inc. is dedicated to
helping clients understand the
business impacts of
technology change.
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
John J. Murphy
MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda Williams
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Eugene F. McInerney, PhD
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Salvatore Ali, PhD
Michele Aresta, PhD
Miguel A. Banares, PhD
Carlos A. Cabrera, MBA
Gabriele Centi, PhD
Avelino Corma, PhD
Frits Dautzenberg, PhD
Jayant D. Divey
George Huber, PhD
Michelle Lynch, PhD
Vishwas Pangarkar, PhD
Stephany Romanow
Gadi Rothenberg, PhD
Woody Shiflett, PhD
Marcio Wagner da Silva, PhD
Stefan Wieland, PhD
#CATALYSTGRP
All rights reserved. Words in all capital letters are either tradenames or acronyms for company names.
Readers are advised that tradenames are registered marks protected by applicable law. Reproduction and copying in any form without written permission is prohibited.
Subscribers may quote one or two articles per issue if the publisher is notified in writing and the source is cited. Information of this subscription is provided as a
service. Subscribers agree that the use of this information is solely at their own discretion. No warranty or guarantee is provided by the publishers. Subscribers agree
to indemnify and hold harmless the publishers on any use including loss or damages. The publisher's sole responsibility is to publish corrections upon notification.
2
The Catalyst Review
June 2024

The Catalyst Review June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review June 2024