International. The University of York 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.
A significant advancement of the partnership so far has been the creation of Cyrene, a multipurpose green solvent that often outperforms toxic petroleum-based materials.
Its application extends to pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, textile recycling, agrochemicals and many more.
Professor James Clark, Director of CRCI at the University of York, said: "We have worked with Circa for almost a decade, and the strength of the relationship lies in the shared belief that the chemical industry can and will be environmentally responsible and capable. for the transition from fossil-based chemicals to commercially viable bio-based products."
"We have seen the impact Cyrene has had on the industry, and this is now our inspiration to continue working on other eco-friendly products that can be scaled up to meet consumer demands without harming our environment," Clark added.
As part of the partnership, Circa and its key customers will have access to all 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 look for the next breakthrough in renewable chemistry.
Nick Smith, Head of Development and Commercialization at Circa, said: "This partnership brings the skills and expertise of both the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and the Renewable Bioenergy Development Centre to support application and process development with market leaders who are moving their manufacturing processes to safer and more sustainable products. like Cyrene."
