Fine chemicals sector

A reactor is run adiabatically when no heat is exchanged between the reaction zone and the surroundings. The reaction temperature can then only be controlled by quenching with a cold stream of the reaction mixture or by inter-stage heat exchangers. For highly thermally sensitive large molecules treated in the fine chemicals sector this is a very impractical mode of operation. Therefore, adiabatic reactors will not be discussed here. 

General chemical industry, emphasis on business issues, fine-chemical sector... 

The global impact of industrial biotechnology on the chemical industry is currently relatively low. About five percent of all chemicals today are produced by industrial biotechnology. Riese and Bachmann estimate that ten percent of all chemicals sold by the year 2010 will be biotech-derived using renewable resources. The impact will be greatest in the fine chemical sector, with an estimated 60 percent share of white biotech products. 

The feed can be many pumpable fluids, including suspensions, so the range of applications is wide. Organics can be stripped from aqueous streams such as fruit juices, fermentation broths, enzyme reaction mixes and waste water. Carbon dioxide soluble components can also be stripped from oils. Applications are seen to be especially appropriate in the flavors, pharmaceuticals, environmental, analytical and fine chemicals sectors. 

Custom manufacturing is prevalent in the fine chemical sector and to some extent in specialty chemicals. The partnership formed is usually a long-term arrangement, allowing both parties to obtain the best sustainable commercial advantage. There may be close interfacing of manufacturing, research and development, administrative, operational, and financial functions. There is an equitable... 

In the fine chemicals sector there is frequently the need to hydrogenate a molecule containing one or more C=C bonds with high degrees of stereo- and regioselectivity. Examples of this include the synthesis of insect sex pheromones, and of vitamin A. Here also the inherent high selectivity to partially reduced products shown by palladiumis employed, but as before it is beneficially reinforced by selective poisons and appropriate choice of support (Section 9.3.5). 

Spanish Ministry of the Environment, Report on the Spanish Reference Document for Best Available Techniques in the Organic Fine Chemicals Sector, 2003. 

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