Alternative routes to the safe and sustainable manufacturing of resorcinol Copy Link

Due to business disruption caused by the virus the deadline for this challenge has been extended until 1st May. As things return to normal we would aim to conclude the process by end May.

Founded in 1869, Robinson Brothers is one of the UK's largest independent chemical manufacturers of speciality/fine chemicals and rubber accelerators, offering a wide range of custom manufactured intermediates on a commercial scale from kilograms to multi-tonnes, all produced to the highest possible quality and environmental standards.

Resorcinol is an organic molecule (see image) with a global demand of 80,000 tonnes per year, it is thought there is a current production gap of 28,000 tonne per year. Robinson Brothers are seeking new routes to resorcinol which are safer and more sustainable than current synthesis methods. There is a need to develop and deploy a new synthetic route due to the increased cost and varying availability of the material. There is currently no UK manufacturer of resorcinol, with current manufacturing only in China and Japan.

Resorcinol

The current production of resorcinol is considered to be hazardous and there is an opportunity to develop safer and more sustainable synthetic routes to meet the market demand. Robinson Brothers are therefore keen to reach out to innovators, academia, entrepreneurs and consortia that may have either proven methods or ideas for the synthesis of this compound.

Whilst not limiting the technologies from solution providers, it is expected that solutions may come from innovations in some of the following areas:

• Industrial Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Electrosynthesis
• Photosynthesis
• Microwave synthesis
• Cryogenics

Proposed synthesis routes should not contain;

• Explosive chemistry
• Known synthetic routes of resorcinol

Rewards and Benefits

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to the Challenger. The package may also include:

• A potential business collaboration with Robinson Brothers
• Support in the development of pilot scale synthesis
• Funding for a studentship
• Technical support
• Support from the KTN
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)

Solution Requirements

Health and Safety Considerations

• No explosive chemistry
• No high toxicity chemicals

Product Requirements

• Resorcinol should be isolated as a solid post synthesis

Deployment Timescale

Due to business disruption caused by the virus the deadline for this challenge has been extended until 1st May. As things return to normal we would aim to conclude the process by end May.

• Launch of the Competition: 20^th January
• Deadline for applications: 20^th March - Extended to 1st May
• Selection and notification of finalists: Week commencing 30^th March
• Pitch day at Robinson Brothers: 7^th and 8^th April - Delayed to mid May
• Synthesis deployment;
  • Pilot scale demonstration in 2021

Cost requirement and market opportunity

• The global demand for resorcinol is 80,000 tonnes per year and it is thought there is a 28,000 tonne per year production gap
• Robinson Brothers are exploring the synthesis of resorcinol for use in in-house synthetic routes and as a potential new product

Eligibility and assessment criteria

Entrants to this competition could be:

• Established businesses, startups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs
• Academic researchers
• Consortia of two or more businesses or researchers
• Priority will be given to UK based solutions

Applications will be assessed on:

• Relevance to the topic
• Innovative nature of the solution
• Feasibility/ economic viability
• Development potential
• Maturity of solution
• Ability to rapidly trial and implement solution
• Price/quality ratio
• Suitability for the UK, European Market and Global Market

IP and Potential Commercial Route

• Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Any commercial deployment of transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Innovate UK and KTN do not take any share of IP ownership or enter into commercial venture through this programme.
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If you have any queries about this challenge please contact Sheena Hindocha (sheena.hindocha@ktn-uk.org)