Growth expectations, fine chemical

Whereas the overall demand for outsourced pharmaceutical fine chemicals is expected to increase moderately (see Chapter 15), the estimated annual growth rates for the abovementioned niche technologies are much higher. Microreactors and the SMB separation technology are expected grow at a rate of even 50-100% per year It has to be realized, however, that the size of the accessible market typically does not exceed a few hundred tons per year ... 

Table 10.1 Fine-Chemical Company Growth Expectations...

The discovery that the protonated forms of zeolites could be used as active, stable and shape selective catalysts in hydrocarbon transformations has been of immense benefit to the refining and petrochemicals industry. The need for optimised microporous acid catalysts will continue as fuel specifications change and the requirements of the chemicals market shift. The likely growth in demand for synthetic fuels, including diesels, is one expected trend that could involve zeolite catalysts. Diverse feedstock chemicals and fine chemicals synthesis involving zeolite catalysts are also being developed. 

When the impact of the preceding technical growth is examined under the economic point of view, it is reasonable to expect that the strong technological roots of the S03-based process and its continuous development will for sure guarantee to maintain the level of profitability that makes sulfonate production similar to the so-called fine chemicals. 

During hydrothermal synthesis one can also expect the occurrence of chemical reactions such as synthesis of new phases, stabilization of new complexes, crystal growth, preparation of finely divided materials and microcrystallites with well-defined size and morphology, leaching of ores in metal extraction, decomposition, alteration, corrosion and etching. 

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