Chemistryusing industries innovation perspective

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• Chemistry-using industries innovation perspective

Dr Neville Hargreaves, Commercial Director,
Chemistry Innovation Ad Hoc Group 7 on
Innovation and technology perspectives in energy
intensive industries in Europe, Brussels, 8
December 2006
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Chemicals are in almost every supply chain
Petroleum
Minerals
Biomass
Waste
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(No Transcript)
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Region Comparison Chemicals
North America

• Rest of the world Middle and South America,
  East Europe and Africa

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Example the cars lifecycle
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Biorefinery concept

• Biofuels EU target 5.75 of transport fuels by
  2010, 20 by 2020
• Biomass can also replace petroleum as chemical
  feedstock
• But currently uneconomic and not efficient use
  of land
• Next step integrated biorefinery to convert
  essentially all of a crop into energy and
  saleable products

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Biorefinery challenges

• Complex feedstock and product selection
• Integrated chemical and biological processes
• Efficient small-scale plants where?
• Separations
• Balance of different process routes
• To solve these we will need
• New supply chains and partnerships
• Technology development
• Underlying interdisciplinary science

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Specific issues for chemistry-using industries

• Biggest impact outside industry boundary
• e.g. encourage chemistry innovations to reduce
  the 41 of energy used in housing
• Innovation requires complex partnerships and
  connections due to pervasiveness
• EU has a great position in chemical science and
  an established globally competitive industry (but
  need to nurture)

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Recommendations for EU actions

• Improve support for innovation excellence (see
  next slides)
• Use fact-based Life Cycle thinking to target
  measures where most needed
• Use incentives to attract investment and
  innovation into Europe (regulation as last resort)

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Innovation and research are different
Research Turning money into ideas
Innovation Turning ideas into money
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Some ways to support innovation
Create connections
Focus on areas of excellence
Support later stage development

• Knowledge Transfer Network model to cross
  boundaries
• Along supply chain
• Across disciplines
• Internationally
• Gain industrial commitment make projects happen
• Share best practice

• Develop specific strategies by region,
  recognising
• Integrated supply chains
• Technology strength
• Science/business clusters
• Industry commitment
• Invest where we can be world-class

• Create attractive investment climate
• Consistent regulation
• Purchasing
• Specific incentives
• Support SMEs over hump of development
• Recognise that benefits will not flow equally

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Oscillatory Baffle Flow Reactor (NiTech
Solutions) implemented at James Robinson
Reduction in Space (20x) Process time
(20x) Capital cost (2x) Energy and waste (many
times) Quality defects
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Process innovation
Robinson Bros Ltd reduced waste on a
pharmaceutical intermediate
Source CIA
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Further examples of successful innovations

• Platinum nanoparticle catalyst for fuel cells
  (Johnson Matthey)

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Smart Energy Home

• A typical Western family spends 70 of its annual
  energy consumption in the home
• Innovation opportunities include
• Building materials e.g.
• Nanoporous insulation foams
• Photochromic glass
• Technology for efficient appliances e.g.
• Filtration, LEDs
• Microgeneration incl. photovoltaic paints,
  battery technologies

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Chemistry Innovation KTN how it supports
innovation

• Provide a unique network
• Make efficient contact with potential partners
• Enhance flow of knowledge and best practice
• Join up initiatives
• Offer access to a range of innovation services
  through partners
• Develop understanding and influence policy
• Voice industry needs from independent perspective
• Develop technology and innovation strategy
• Facilitate collaborative projects
• Catalyse projects across boundaries
• Provide independent project management

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Source Stern Report, 2006