MICRO-REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
[EDU: Geelen/Heerlen, March 11] Chemtrix, a high-tech company based at the Chemelot Campus, develops revolutionary microreactor systems that use chip technology. Chemtrix director Hugo Delissen: “The use of microreactor technology in chemical synthesis is still in its infancy, certainly as far as use on an industrial scale is concerned. We prove that this use is feasible and we anticipate that this will create a need for expert staff who are currently hard to find.” Sexy technology Zuyd University addresses the needs of companies such as Chemtrix on the supply side and DSM Pharmaceutical Products on the user side. Gino van Strijdonck, project leader of Zuydlab (Life Sciences dept.) and member of the Center of Expertise in Life Sciences of Zuyd University: “Microreactor technology is at the interface of technology and chemistry. It is where disciplines such as flow theory and organic chemistry come together. Microreactor technology has many advantages over conventional batch reactors, which makes it the technology of the future. It is a sexy subject that will draw many students.” Expertise from Hull (UK) The required expertise is brought in by Dr Paul Watts of the University of Hull (UK), who is employed part-time by Chemtrix. Professor Watts has been using chip technology for chemical reactions for many years and is the principal advisor of Chemtrix in the development of the microreactor systems. Together with Dr Charlotte Wiles of Chemtrix, Dr Watts will provide both theoretical and practical training for Zuyd University teachers and students. In addition, Chemtrix will make internships available for microreactor technology students and cooperate in running the projects. DSM as ‘launching customer’ Raf Reintjes, Process Intensification competence manager at DSM Pharmaceutical Products, confirms the relevance of microreactors to the chemical industry: “We are always looking for new systems for research and production. Processes should on the one hand proceed optimally and efficiently, while on the other they should allow of good process control.” Microreactor systems are faster than conventional batch reactors, which may drastically reduce the development time of new end products. Moreover, they are often safer under optimum reaction conditions, resulting in higher-yield reactions and energy and feedstock savings. The use of microreactor systems for instance makes it possible to rapidly and effectively develop new medicines. Reintjens: “We have high expectations of microreactor systems, also because they enable fast upscaling from lab scale to production scale, which in the present situation still often requires a great deal of effort.” Thanks to the interest DSM Pharmaceutical Products and other companies have shown in Chemtrix, the young company (founded in 2008) has already made huge advances in the development of microreactor systems. The initial plan was to gradually enlarge these systems, from lab-scale application (Labtrix® for research into new components and processes) via pilot production equipment (Protrix® for gram to kilogram production) to industrial production systems (Plantrix® for the production of tons). A prototype of the Plantrix® system has meanwhile been supplied to DSM and is now being tested there. For the bachelor program a Labtrix® system will be made available to Zuyd University. The Labtrix® system will be presented to the international market during the American Chemical Society’s National Meeting in Salt Lake City (US) on March 22. CHEMaterials Campus project The collaboration between Zuyd University and Chemtrix fits in seamlessly with that between the University and Chemelot in “CHEMaterials Campus”, a project set up in the framework of the Pieken in de Delta economic development program. The aim of this project is to provide an impetus to education, research and industrial activity in the field of innovative materials. One of its results will be a walk-in lab at the Chemelot Campus that will be used as a training center and for professional research and development. Another aim of the project is to provide more structure for the selection of innovative ideas and to promote knowledge exchange. This project gives shape and substance to the open innovation principle, an eminent way to achieve new knowledge development and accelerate business development. Chemtrix proves that the collaboration between industry and education really bears fruit. Microreactor technology bachelor program In June 2009 train-the-trainer sessions will be staged at Zuyd University in which Chemtrix, professor Paul Watts and DSM Pharmaceutical Products will cooperate; these sessions will comprise six lectures and one workshop. In September/October 2009 teaching will be started for the first group of students, use being made of equipment developed by Chemtrix. The curriculum also provides for international student exchange and internships. Chemtrix Based at Chemelot since 2008, Chemtrix is a high-tech company that aims to be the European leader in the field of microreactor technology within five years. Chemtrix utilizes unique knowledge of chemical processes developed at the University of Hull (UK) and microreactors produced in the form of glass slides by Lionix, based at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, and iX-Factory of Dortmund, Germany. Within two years, Chemtrix will introduce full-blown production units with microreactors onto the market. There is already great interest for this technology in the United States and Europe. Zuyd University With approximately 40 bachelor’s and ten master’s programs, 13,200 students and 1,550 staff at various locations in Heerlen, Maastricht and Sittard-Geleen, Zuyd University is one of the largest universities for the applied sciences in the Netherlands. Students can choose from both bachelor’s and master’s courses in the fields of Economics and Languages, Behavior and Society, Health Care, Arts, Education, and Technology and Informatics. Zuyd University is an important partner for Euroregional businesses and organizations as far as business courses, applied research, internships and (graduation) projects are concerned. Through the University’s Research Centers, knowledge flows out of the University into the (Euro)region and vice versa.
Chemtrix and Zuyd University in Heerlen will jointly be setting up the first bachelor’s
program in the field of microreactor technology in the Netherlands. Their work will be supported by DSM Pharmaceutical Products, Chemtrix’ first major customer.
Demand for students who have completed a course in microreactor technology is set to grow in the next few years, for instance from companies such as Chemtrix, and so Zuyd University will start a bachelor’s program in this field in the 2009-2010 academic year.
http://www.chemtrix.com/