CPI develop new surfactant manufacturing techniques

The two year Innovate UK project will design, build and trial a modular unit based on NiTech’s patented continuous oscillating baffle reactor (COBR) technology.

The aim of the industry led project is to deliver a new process for the manufacturing of existing products that significantly improves operational and capital costs, as well as process sustainability, without impacting product quality. Continuous processes are usually well suited to integrate with equivalent existing batch manufacturing assets to provide increased capacity. Their compact design will often enable this to be done without the need for additional supporting infrastructure and extended footprint.

The collaboration will establish technical and commercial viability of the NiTech technology in Croda’s proposed applications, thus reducing the risk of future investment into the technology by Croda. The consortium believes the targeted reduction in operational costs, combined with reduced capital requirements will position the UK as a global leader in the use of this technology. The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing will provide expertise in analysing the business model for the full scale commercial adoption of these flexible manufacturing techniques. CPI will provide specialist capability and knowledge in the area of COBR technology.

The intrinsic advantages of the COBR, namely; plug flow characteristics, minimum inventory processing, excellent heat and mass transfer and process control, will transfer manufacturing flexibility through easily-variable production volumes to match demand and rapid product changeover and customisation with minimal waste. Going forward the key is to develop these techniques to the volumes and price points that facilitate mass market adoption. This UK collaboration will bridge the gap by bringing together the innovation value chain and position the UK as a world leader in next generation processes and business model innovations.

Speaking about the project James Birbeck, Lead Process Engineer at Croda Europe commented:

“We are excited about the potential enhancements that the technology being developed could give to our products, ensuring that we continue to be flexible in order to deliver high quality products when our customers require them. The consortium partnership of ourselves with CPI, NiTech Solutions and the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing combines exceptional expertise and knowledge to deliver a technically advanced solution for a more sustainable process of manufacturing our surfactants.”

Will Barton, a director at NiTech Solutions commented:

“NiTech is delighted to be working together with the project partners with the objective of demonstrating further the commercial potential of its COBR technology applied specifically to meeting the business needs of Croda Europe, whilst also highlighting the ability of the technology to enable new business models including distributed manufacturing.”

Sarah Williams, Project Manager at CPI adds:

“CPI is delighted to be collaborating with Croda Europe, NiTech Solutions and The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing in using innovative chemical processing technologies to help develop and manufacture next generation surfactants in the UK. The project combines world class capability in the process scale up of COBR technology and is providing the environment for the consortium to scale up the technology from research to the commercial market.