Cost structure, indicative, fine chemical

The former may be considered the true fine chemical while the latter may conveniently be termed intermediate-scale chemicals commodity chemicals produced at a relatively small scale. This crude division starts to indicate the complexity of the economic drivers for B2C that is discussed later. First, however, progress in making the switch is reviewed and the essential elements of plant design structures and costs are briefly introduced. 

Bakke et al. (1982) have shown how montmorillonite catalyses chlorination and nitration of toluene nitration leads to 56 % para and 41 % ortho derivative compared to approximately 40 % para and 60 % ortho derivatives in the absence of the catalyst. Montmorillonite clays have an acidity comparable to nitric acid / sulphuric acid mixtures and the use of iron-exchanged material (Clayfen) gives a remarkable improvement in the para, ortho ratio in the nitration of phenols. The nitration of estrones, which is relevant in making various estrogenic drugs, can be improved in a remarkable way by using molecular engineered layer structures (MELS), while a reduction in the cost by a factor of six has been indicated. With a Clayfen type catalyst, it seems possible to manipulate the para, ortho ratio drastically for a variety of substrates and this should be useful in the manufacture of fine chemicals. In principle, such catalysts may approach biomimetic chemistry our ability to predict selectivity is very limited. 

An indicative cost structure for a fine-chemical company is given in Table 7.3. The operating schedule also has a significant impact on the production costs. Whereas continuous plants typically run 24 h per day, there is more... 

Table 7.3 Indicative Cost Structure of a Fine-Chemical Company...

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