Britest to play key role in €11 million SYNFLOW research project.

Britest’s is to play a key role in SYNFLOW – a new, large scale EU-funded research project launched on 25th October 2010. The €11 million project seeks to develop new methodology for novel catalytic systems widley used in chemical production - that are more cost effective and have a lower environmental impact.

SYNFLOW which stands for “Innovative Synthesis in Continuous-Flow Processes for Sustainable Chemical Production” - seeks is to create a paradigm shift from batch-wise, large volume processes in chemical production towards highly integrated, yet flexible catalytic continuous flow processing. To achieve this goal, SYNFLOW will develop a unique integrated approach which combines the molecular understanding of synthesis and catalysis with the engineering science involved in process design and plant concepts.

Commenting on the project, Britest’s Director of innovation - Dr Derek Lindsay said: “Britest’s input to the project will focus on the application of our knowledge and expertise in whole process design concepts and sustainability measures to novel catalytic systems“.

SYNFLOW is a four-year project funded under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme. It involves 19 consortium partners embracing industry and academia from 8 EU countries working together across industrial and scientific boundaries.

In addition to a number of leading European academic institutions, major industrial partners involved in the project include AstraZeneca, Bayer Technology Services, Evonik Oxeno, Johnson Matthey and Britest.

SYNFLOW will integrate and build on learning and developments from other EU Framework projects and specifically will seek to demonstrate new process concepts within the F³ Factory / INVITE  facility that is being constructed at the CHEMpark in Leverkusen.