Best SME Innovation Category

Best Innovation by an SME

CATEGORY WINNER

Derek Atkinson

A microchannel reactor for the distributed production of third generation biofuels

Production of liquid biofuels from waste feedstocks, including municipal waste, sounds attractive but the need to transport large volumes to a central facility is not environmentally sound. Oxford Catalysts and Velocys have developed a small-scale Fischer-Tropsch reactor and highly active catalyst that enable production of biofuel in situ, when processing just 500-2,000 tonnes/day of waste. Productivity in the microchannel reactor is high and diesel and jet fuels should be economic to produce while oil is over $50/bbl. A pilot-scale unit has been built at Plain City, Ohio, US.

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Runners up in this category

Genomatica

Christophe Schilling and Mark Burk

Sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks

California, US-based Genomatica devises novel bio-manufacturing processes to several industrial petrochemicals from plant sugars, notably 1,4-butanediol and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). It uses both computational modeling and wet lab processes to develop each process, focusing on the most efficient biochemical path from sugar to end product. It then genetically engineers specific microorganisms to produce the chemicals. The processes require less energy and lower capital investment and use renewable feedstocks, which offers a more diversified starting point for production.

Rahu Catalytics/OM Group

Ronald Hage, Philana Wesenhagen, Hugh Gibbs and Franjo Gol

Novel paint drying technology

UK-based Rahu Catalytics has developed an iron-based catalyst complex that can be used to replace the costly and environmentally problematic cobalt carboxylates often used as drying agents in alkyd coating formulations. Originally developed as a stain bleach catalyst, the new oxidative drying technology is being used by OM in its Borchers coating additives range on an exclusive, global basis. The FeONIX complexes have been proven in conventional, high solids and waterbased products. They can also be used in inks and as polymerization additives for composites.

LH Aviation/DSM

Sebastien Lefebvre, Matthieu Billet, Christophe Bourban, Ben Drogt, Ron Verleg and Jasper Bouwmeester

Light aircraft development supported by a new class of material

France-based LH Aviation has developed a new light aircraft that uses DSM’s Aeronite Turane resin in place of the traditional epoxies used in reinforced composites. The resin - a novel thermosetting polyurethane created with a radical polymerisation process - shows equivalent performance but can be used in a closed mould process at room temperature. This eliminates emissions and provides a safer, healthier working environment. The investment threshold is also reduced substantially as autoclaves are not required - a vacuum infusion process is used instead. Over 40 of the aircraft are now on order - in kit form.