Akzo Nobel announces 2018 Imagine Chemistry winners
A group of ten start-ups and chemical researchers will see their ideas move a step closer to commercialization after being named winners of the 2018 edition of Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals’ "Imagine Chemistry" challenge.
Four overall winners received joint development awards with Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals to help bring their ideas to market:
Rahul Dahule and Ranjeet Utikar from Dutch start-up Water Knight were awarded for their advanced oxidation reactor technology , which is used for intensifying wastewater treatment in industries with complex effluents.
Fergal Coleman and Alexander Grous from UK startup Green Lizard Technologies, working in partnership with Dixie Chemical, were recognized for their bio-based route to glycidol, which can be used in the production of nonionic surfactants.
Gaurab Chakrabarti and Sean Hunt from US firm Solugen were recognized for their green process to make hydrogen peroxide that has the potential to replace technology that has remained unchanged since the 1930s.
Another US firm, Fero Labs – represented by Berk Birand and Alp Kucukelbir – were awarded for their machine learning software, which can be used to predict quality issues and production bottlenecks and improve key process parameters.
Further prizes and support
In addition, the following groups were awarded prizes including expert advice and support at Akzo Nobel’s S/park open innovation center at Deventer, the Netherlands.
Research agreement with AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals: University of Nottingham (UK) – Ifty Ahmed and Belinda Good; porous microspheres from glass and glass ceramic material .
Chemical research support from AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals: Edinburgh Napier University (UK) – Mark Dorris and Dominic O’Rourke; Cellulose nanofibrils derived from seaweed
Partner support by KPMG: Invert Robotics (the Netherlands) – Hans Prein, James Robertson and Robert Mandjes; robotic inspection for tanks and other equipment.
Partner support by ICOS: Semiotic Labs (the Netherlands) – Gerben Gooijers and Simon Jagers; smart asset monitoring service for motors and rotating equipment.
Partner support by Lux Research : Fraunhofer UMSICHT ( Germany) – Axel Kraft and Martin Peters; catalytic process for making alcohols from more sustainable raw materials.
Partner support by Chalmers Ventures: FineCell ( Sweden) – Kloce Dongfang Li, Monica Ek and Jonatan Henschen; process for the production of nanocellulose.
