Borealis and the Laboratory of Polymer
Technology at Åbo Akademi University in
Finland have signed a long-term research
agreement to develop new
catalysts and
polyolefin grades that will advance the
technology of Performance Products.
The aim of the research is to embrace topics
from single-site
catalysts and polymer
synthesis, on a molecular level, to final
end-products. Industry and academia will be
working together to innovate and promote
internationally-recognised research.
Borealis and Åbo Akademi are collaborating with
a number of technology partners to develop
high-throughput experimentation (
HTE) for
polyolefin catalysts. HTE is a growing trend in
chemical research, dealing with methods and
concepts aimed at increasing research output.
HTE allows many precise experiments to be run
in parallel, and reduces the development time
for new polyolefin products.
Åbo Akademi will concentrate on new catalytic
active
complexes, while Borealis will focus
mainly on the use of these catalysts to achieve
new polymer properties.
"Borealis is firmly committed to maintaining its
technological leadership in high-performance
polymers," says Johan von Knorring, Borealis'
Vice President for R&D. "This collaboration will
ensure that we remain at the forefront of
polymer development. For our customers, it
means we will be able to bring new polymers
faster to the marketplace."
Professor
Carl-Eric Wilén of Åbo Akademi says
the Laboratory of
Polymer Technology foresees
a number of advantages in such an intensive
arrangement with Borealis. "Few human
activities among researchers are as personally
satisfying as that of discovery," he says. "This
programme provides the opportunity for
students to be inventive, creative and
resourceful. It also serves as an excellent forum
for the
Exchange of ideas, insights and
experiences, and for understanding the needs of
both the university and industry."