TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Coatings
The University of York has partnered with renewable chemicals company, Circa Group, to launch the Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute (CRCI). The new Institute aims to produce and promote bio-based products that are safer and more sustainable for the chemical industry.
Mutual Belief to be Environmentally Responsible
A significant breakthrough of the partnership so far has been the creation of
Cyrene™, a multipurpose green solvent that often outperforms the toxic petroleum-based materials. Its application extends across pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, textile recycling, agrichemicals and many more.
Professor James Clark, director of the CRCI at the University of York said, “
We have worked with Circa now for nearly a decade, and the strength of the relationship lies in the shared belief that the chemical industry can and will be environmentally responsible and able to transition from fossil-based chemicals to commercially viable bio-based products."
“
We have seen the impact that Cyrene™ has had on the industry, and this is now our inspiration to continue to work on other green products that can be scaled-up to meet the demands of consumers without damaging our environment,” added Clark.
As part of the partnership, Circa and its key customers will have access to all of the latest research from the University’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE), as well as the use of laboratories, equipped with the latest technologies. In addition to developing commercial applications for Cyrene™, the team will be looking for the next breakthrough in renewable chemistry.
Nick Smith, head of Development and Commercialization for Circa said, “
This partnership provides the skills and expertise of both the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and the Bio renewables Development Centre to support application and process development with market leaders who are moving their manufacturing processes to safer and more sustainable products, such as Cyrene™.”
Source: University of York