The Catalyst Review May 2024 - 2

THE CATALYST REVIEW
An industry-focused, leading edge catalysis technology reference from The Catalyst Group Resources
For the first time this month, you will notice an Innovation Corner, the intent
from time to time is to point out something you may not have thought
about in your regular activities. We will try to keep these commercially
relevant but from time to time they will have a special R&D twist. Innovation
is especially important these days, not only because we need to keep
improving traditional processes but because new tools, science and AI
are all advancing in multiple ways together. In addition, with the energy
transition before us all, many new and different solutions are needed to
affect change. This month there is a Special Feature on clean water as
a scarce resource and some of the materials and energy investigations
ongoing to address this challenge.
May Hot Topics!
Leading US Activities:
* Polyolefins and thermoplastics have been challenged because of global overcapacity
and weaker demand especially imports from China. The first move to rebalance has
come in the form of price increases which seem to have helped during the 1QTR for
PE but not as yet for PP.
* The Fed has seen inflation as not satisfying and will be delaying any market rate
decreases into the foreseeable future.
* Chemical companies have been reporting a more profitable 1QTR, 2024 than many
first forecast, indicating adjustments to operations have been positive.
* Oil & Gas companies are reporting strong 1QTR results. Many have taken adjustments
to this strong positive cash flow such as shareholder buybacks.
* US ARPA-E is considering DOE funding to accelerate scale-up of TRL 6-8 technologies
needed to improve US manufacturing.
Smaller Considerations:
* We are all still behind in meeting eFuel changes needed for SAF, IMO shipping and
RD. Investments are slower than needed and the cost/performance of processes needs
improvement.
International:
* The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) at COP28 committed to a reduction of 30% by
2030; over 150 nations signed up. The launch of the new MARS satellite - under the
IEA Global Methane Tracker is now a new tool to measure progress. Governments are
now moving to implement fines for non-compliance. This is an overall positive.
* Progress has been made in NATO about reinforcing Ukraine defenses. EU is now
considering manufacturing funding to revitalize domestic defense production.
* China is now considering a financial plan to revitalize domestic GDP, which it has been
reluctant to initiate up until recently.
Upcoming Updates: The challenge of eMethanol is an upcoming Special Feature. Don't
forget about the ICC24 meeting in Lyon, France this coming July.
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The Catalyst Review
May 2024
#CATALYSTGRP
THE CATALYST REVIEW
(ISSN 0898-3089)
May 2024, Volume 37, Issue 5
Published by The Catalyst Group
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MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda Williams
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Meedah Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
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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

The Catalyst Review May 2024

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