Delivering Innovative, Commercial & Sustainable Solutions Chemistry Centre of... · chemistry and the bio-refinery, ... Chemistry and the Consumer project aims to provide solutions

Delivering Delivering Innovative, Innovative,

Commercial & Commercial & SustainableSustainable

SolutionsSolutions

www.greenchemistry.netwww.greenchemistry.net


The Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York is a world-leading research centre dedicated to creating genuinely sustainable supply chains for chemical and related products.

We develop green chemistry solutions by linking green chemistry and the bio-refinery, with socio-economic analysis and environmental impact studies and working with all stakeholders including NGOs and social investors as well as manufacturers, producers and retailers.

About Us


ResearchIndustrial collaboration Development of educational and promotional materialsNetworking with all chemical stakeholders

Activities:The Centre is involved in a number of green chemistry activities in the areas of:


Activities:


Activities:

ResearchResearch activities at Masters, PhD and

postdoctoral level include the use of renewable resources for sustainable chemical

manufacturing based on benign extraction technologies, the design and application of

novel biomaterials, the clean chemical transformation of platform molecules and the

development of novel catalysts for application to industrially relevant processes. The Centre has

a long established reputation for fostering interdisciplinary research through close

collaboration with numerous departments and organisations both on campus and externally

with other universities, industry and government bodies.

Collaboration between industry and academia is a perfect way to develop a theoretical idea into a realistic project: the PhD researchers at York are freed of the thought and process constraints associated with our business and so leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the answer’

Nigel Stansfield, Innovations Director, InterfaceFLOR


Activities:


Activities:

IndustryGreen Chemistry for Industry has a well

established reputation for working with business partners in key chemical and producer and user sectors to facilitate development of efficient and

environmentally sound supply chains for important chemical and related products. With

its hub in the Green Chemistry Centre, and access to the expertise and facilities in

collaborating laboratories at the University of Leeds and Central Science Laboratory (CSL), it

acts as a one-stop shop for companies to access world-class green chemical technology R&D in an efficient individually tailored manner.

‘Using the resources of the Centre, we were able to validate the performance of our current process, as well as focus on potential improved methods of manufacture.’

Dr Matt Walker, R&D Manager, Clariant UK Ltd


Activities:


Activities:Networking

Local and international networking is vital to all the activities of the Centre. Strong links with

numerous departments and organisations across campus consolidate York’s internationally

leading position. Our partners include: Biology, Chemistry, CNAP, Eco-Chemistry, Economics, Environment, Social Policy and the Stockholm

Environment Institute. The Centre is the hub for the international Green Chemistry Network (www.chemsoc.org/gcn) which promotes

awareness and facilitates education, training and practice of Green Chemistry in industry,

commerce, academia and schools. The Centre also leads the Green Chemistry Partnership in

the Worldwide Universities Network (www.wun.ac.uk/greenchem).

‘I find the GCN very helpful and a very useful source of information’

Dr Andrew Wells, Principal Scientist,AstraZeneca


Activities:


Activities:Education

The Green Chemistry Centre established the first Masters course in the UK focusing on

sustainable chemistry. The course, which is currently in its fifth year, involves collaboration

with the chemical and pharmaceutical industries as well as chemical user organisations such as the retail trade. The Chemistry Department at

York also offers undergraduate modules in Clean Technology and Green Chemistry. Staff in the Green Chemistry Centre are also involved

in educational development programmes including web-based resources for schools,

training courses for industry and course materials for undergraduate programmes, as

well as running outreach activities for schoolchildren and the general public.

‘We recognise the course as an effective mechanism for collaborating with academia in an increasingly important area. It also provides a valuable opportunity for us to work directly with the students and hence give them an insight into the realities of working in the chemical industry’.

Dr Paul Ravenscroft, Director of Synthetic Chemistry,GlaxoSmithKline plc


Projects:Green Chemistry Network

Working with NGOs, trade, industry, schools and government

Organising conferences, workshops and training courses

Providing educational material for universities & schools

Regular newsletters and contributions to books and journals

Lectures and exhibitions for schools and the general public

Scholarships for researchers from developing countries

Running sector/group-themed projects

The GCN promotes awareness and facilitates education, training and practice of Green Chemistry in industry, commerce, academia and schools through:

The GCN is an excellent forum for information exchanges and collaboration, offering bespoke services including desk-top studies, educational projects, etc.www.chemsoc.org/networks/gcn


Projects:Green Chemistry & the Consumer

Quarterly newsletters

Workshops and annual symposia

Promotional and exhibition materials for outreach activities

Technology brokerage facility promoting greener products

By working together with retailers, industrialists, trade associations, NGOs and other stakeholders, the Green Chemistry and the Consumer project aims to provide solutions to chemical-related problems in the supply chains of consumer products through the promotion and application of green chemistry. The project aims to communicate case studies and recent advances in the development of more environmentally friendly chemical products. The project offers:

www.chemsoc.org/networks/gcn/industry.htm#consumer


Projects:Worldwide Universities Network

Research training: to build collaborative activities

Corporate links bringing tangible benefits to industry by providing a ready-made network of expertise

Multidisciplinary research proposals

E-learning programme in Green Chemistry

Multidisciplinary virtual seminars: live on the internet

Global Exchange Programme

An alliance of research-leading universities worldwide utilising the combined facilities and expertise base to deliver research of global significance. The Green Chemistry Partnership is committed the application of biorefinery concepts to develop economically and socially viable sustainable chemical feedstocks. The partnership is actively involved in and committed to:

www.wun.ac.uk/greenchem/


Projects:e -learning in Green Chemistry

Technical and non-technical courses for the chemical and related industry, government, NGOs, healthcare organisations, retail andmanufacturing companies

Introduction of the concepts of Green Chemistry and its key drivers including cross-sector environmental legislation

Examples of how Green Chemistry can benefit business through better practices and implementation of the latest technologies

Opportunities Green Chemistry presents through better utilisation of resources and the development of new products


Projects:Masters in Clean Chemical Technology

Masters course offered by the Centre is run in collaboration with industry

Designed to equip graduates with the tools, techniques and general understanding of environmental, economic and social factors associated with the implementation of clean chemical technology

Designed to meet industry's requirements

Unique opportunity to solve current and real problems through a six-month industrial project.

Skills transferable to manufacturing industry in general, scientific research, legal and environmental services, government and the retail trade.


Projects:Renewable Resources & Biorefineries

Renewable feedstocks are an increasingly important and viable resource

A wide range of renewable feedstocks investigated (including low value plants,energy crops and food by-products)

Application of green chemical technologies including supercritical fluids, microwave and ultrasound processing, catalytic and other clean synthesis methods

Developing new, genuinely sustainable, low environmental impact routes to important chemical products, materials and biofuels.


Projects:Novel Biomaterials

A range of new materials based on natural polysaccharides and lignin

Raw materials: residues from the agricultural, forestry and shellfish industriesSimple physical and chemical modificationComplex, application-driven structures and sophisticated materials Wide range of current and potential applications including:

• Adsorption, separations, chromatography• Heterogeneous catalysis, organic acids and bases,

metals and enzymes • Entrapment for effluent treatment applications• Films, coatings, adhesives, composites and

biodegradable materials in general


Projects:BiodieselAn Economically Viable Petrol-Fuel Replacement

Socio-economic impact of use of arable land for energy crops;Application of green chemistry technologies to improve the production processGovernment regulatory issuesDynamic economic analysisIdentification of the most suitable feedstock cropsBuilding collaborations with companies to explore adding value to the by-products of the manufacturing process

A multidisciplinary partnership looking at the entire biodiesel life-cycle assessing its environmental sustainability, economic viability, and social acceptability.


Projects:Bio-chemicals

A low value, high volume agricultural by-product and biorefinery feedstock for materials, chemicals and bio-energy/fuels

Extraction of valuable chemicals from wheat straw as the first step in a biorefinery

Selective and complete extraction of wheat straw waxes (as a base for cosmetics) using supercritical CO2

Valuable fractions can be extractedIndustrial collaboration withBotanix Ltd to scale up the extractionsApplication materials currently tested by Croda

Adding Value to Wheat Straw


Projects:Bio-chemicals

Relatively high volume of valuable metabolites can be selectively extracted using supercritical CO2

Adding value to upland rural communities in the UK through the exploitation of valuable secondary metabolites found in heather.

Alkanes - semiochemicalproperties Triterpenoid - anti-cancer properties Phenolic - antioxidant activity

Viable candidate for commercialisation. Spent heather can be utilised as a feedstock for biorefinery applications.

Heather: An Unexploited Asset


Projects:BALDER Research NetworkBiomass and Land Use, Development and Environmental Research Network is a multidisciplinary collaboration team investigating the exploitation of biomass potential and the provision of alternatives to fossil fuels through a holistic approach.

To determine the contribution that biomass can make to energy provision and chemical feedstocks without affecting

food security and sustainable development

Understand potential for conversion of biomass to

energy and chemicals

Understand potential for land use allocation for

different biomass resources in specific

regions

Understand ecosystem structure (biodiversity) and function (services)

implications of land use changes

Calculate net emissions of GHGs and air pollutants

and resource flows of different biomass

options

Understand socio-economic and development

implications of different land uses

Understand organisational structures for

delivery of biomass potential

Calculate scenarios of (future) demand for fuels, food and other that biomass supply can meet

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

PROGRAMME PURPOSE To use a regional case study approach to assess biomass potential to replace fossil fuels, economic costs and benefits and

identify areas of conflict


Projects:CHEMCELL

Objectives:

To develop a range of novel generic methodologies, based on green chemical technologies for the production of health-therapeutics and health promotersDevelopment of novel nanoscale separations for capillary borne microreactors coupled with state-of-the-analytical techniquesDevelopment of materials for high-throughput separation methodologies for component identificationTo provide multidisciplinary training in research and laboratory methods in chemical biology

Chemical Biology in Reactors and Cells


Green Chemistry for Industry is an integral and outward-facing component of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence.

We are dedicated to developing and promoting genuinely sustainable supply chains for chemical, energy and pharmaceutical industries, from raw materials through cleaner processing to the final products and routes for their ultimate disposal.


Green Chemistry for Industry

Green Chemistry for Industry serves as a one-stop-shop for companies to access the wide-ranging expertise of the world-class research and state-of-the-art facilities, augmented by specialists and the equipment of colleagues and partners at the University of Leeds and the Central Science Laboratories of DEFRA in York.

Green Chemistry for Industry has a well-established reputation for managing successful commercial R&D projects with customers in a variety of industrial sectors, ranging from small manufacturing enterprises through to large corporations at a local, national and international level.


Green Chemistry for Industry Key Strengths

“Not for profit” organisation

Flexible bespoke services tailored to industrial needs and delivering efficient and cost effective solutions

Dedicated Commercial Manager and senior researchers

A diverse range of technical areas including: Clean synthesisImplementation of alternative solvents/reagentsApplication of novel reactor technologies Utilisation of renewable resources and biorefinery processingDevelopment of novel materials

Over 20 world-class expert staff supporting projects.

State-of-the-art processing and analytical equipment & supporting expertise


Green Chemistry for Industry We Can Help to …

Improve environmental foot-print through utilisation of renewable resources

Reduce/replace hazardous chemicals and auxiliaries in processes/products

Enhance process and product performance

Minimise energy consumption

Minimise waste or identify alternative uses

Identify financial support opportunities

Consult on chemicals related legislation

Collaboratively exploit in-house IP in areas including:- Development of novel materials- Utilisation of renewable resources- Clean synthesis


Green Chemistry for Industry ServicesA range of time–flexible services based on a 3-tierstructure tailored to industrial needs, delivering efficient and cost effective solutions.

We offer short-term problem solving and identification of opportunities; short-term lab-based feasibility studies; and longer-term consultancy, development and lab-based research. We also offer training and awareness in green chemistry, environmental impact studies, and help with environmental legislation.


Green Chemistry for Industry

TIER 1 Short (1 to 2 weeks) problem solving by reviewing current practices, methods, processes and identifying opportunities, e.g. seeking an alternative to a toxic reagent.

Service Structure

TIER 2 A short-term (1 to 3 months) lab-based study to investigate the technical feasibility either for a new customer or following recommendations from Tier 1.

TIER 3 A long-term (3 to 12+ months) relationship involving consultancy/lab based studies leading to the demonstration of applicability of technology to a product or process.


Green Chemistry for Industry Case Study: Clariant

Tier 1 Explore + review options, plan + cost Tier 2 activity.

Tier 2 Short-term desktop investigation of alternative routes to a key product.

Input: Critical assessment of current technologies + identification of opportunities.

Output: Technology report with expert recommendations and project roadmap.

Tier 3 Longer-term relationship involving a 3 year project

Input: Implementation of Tier 2 roadmap to evaluate and optimise the new technology.

Output: Quarterly reports and review meetings, work visits exploitation of IP and publication in scientific and technical press.


Green Chemistry for Industry Customer Testimonial

“…the Centre’s … helped the company focus on the best strategic way forward…real boost to the resources ... With the ever increasing pressures on the Speciality Chemical Industry from far eastern competition, raw material and energy cost increases it is vital that we identify and operate World class processes utilising the very best technology available. I am confident the methodology we have adopted by this collaborative project has offered the most cost effective solution toClariant and is adaptable to others in our sector of industry.”


Green Chemistry for Industry Case Study: Waste UtilisationKey Benefits

Extraction of Valuable Chemicals

Waste Effluent Treatment

Recovery of Organics/ Precious Metals

Bio-refinery Applications

Renewable Chemical Feedstocks

Bio-based Novel Materials

Harnessing Combustion Processes


Green Chemistry for Industry Case Study: Novel MaterialsKey Benefits

Biodegradable

Excellent Physico-Chemical Properties

Controllable Surface Properties

Biocidal Properties

High Surface Area

Mesoporous

High and Tuneable Functionality

Good Thermal Stability

Amenable to Shaping

Monolith Formation


Green Chemistry for Industry Case Study: Clean SynthesisKey Benefits

Increased Efficiency

Increased Productivity

Reduced Waste Generation

Reduced Energy Consumption

Elimination of Hazards

Minimisation of Auxiliaries (e.g. Solvents)

Reduced Costs

Reduced Dependence on Fossil Resources

Green Credentials to Attract Investors

Documents

Delivering Innovative, Commercial & Sustainable Solutions Chemistry Centre of... · chemistry and the bio-refinery, ... Chemistry and the Consumer project aims to provide solutions