Mobile and off-grid extraction of flavours and fragrances by supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2).
Advantages and Innovations: Advantages and innovations of the new method include: - Mobile supercritical fluid CO2 extraction technology - Self-sufficient and able to work in the field - Designed for reliability (operational 24/7) - Highly selective 3 stage separation - Provided with skilled engineers/operators - No raw material transportation - Minimum time from raw harvest to processing - No traces of solvent - Great resemblance of products with raw material scent - Modular design and scalability.
Center name: АНО "ИЦК"
Center site: http://ick.ru/
Copyright: Secret Know-how
Current Stage of Development: Two industrial pilot machines are in operation (2x25 litre and 1x50 litre) with a third under construction with delivery by end of 2018 (1x100 litre). The company currently has all necessary knowledge and technical means to build a small scale industrial unit (processing power of circa 25kg of raw material per hour) and is looking for funding. By end of February 2019, the company plans to build a medium capacity unit which will be able to process around100kg of raw material per hour.
Date of creation: 06/20/2018
Description of the offer: The UK engineering start-up has developed an innovative way to extract essences from herbs, flowers or other natural materials. It is a self-sufficient mobile technology that capitalises on a known compressed gas (supercritical CO2) extraction method. The company started with a known supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method which allows the use of lower temperatures and avoids organic solvents. This preserves natural fragrances and generates products of utmost quality and resemblance to raw material scent. This technology is known as superior to conventional methods but is extremely costly to be used locally and widespread. The company has re-engineered the SFE into a self-sufficient mobile unit that can travel from one raw material source to another. It does not require any infrastructure (grid electricity, water or good roads) and is able to withstand harsh conditions whilst in operation 24/7. This allows the technology to be available to purchase or on demand (ultimately offers clients a way to avoid initial costs, running costs and investment in skilled engineers). Not only can the mobile unit reach remote areas, it also reduces the transit time of raw material between harvesting and processing, which keeps more fragrance intact. It also enables processing of fresh cut flowers straight from the field minimising exposure to sun and heat. In addition, the technology uses its own energy source which allows us to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. Three industrial pilots have been built for academic use, and the company now raising funds to build an outdoors industrial unit for testing in real life environment. The company is seeking partners in the cosmetic, perfume, aromatherapy and pharmaceutical industries to test the innovative way of extracting essences in live environment, to compare products to existing methods and to consider becoming first adopters. They are also looking for flower, herb and other plants growers who are willing to try processing their goods into essences and oils. It is anticipated that this will be done under research cooperation agreement or commercial agreement with technical assistance, although other types of cooperation may be considered if requested. No monetary commitment is expected from prospective partners. The company is also seeking investment from either private investors, family offices or venture capital for this early investment opportunity.
Market Keywords: 05007002 Pharmaceuticals/fine chemicals / 07004002 Health and beauty aids
Profile type: Technology offer
Summary: A UK-based engineering start-up has developed a new way to extract essences. It is a self-sufficient mobile technology that capitalises on a known compressed gas extraction method. Partners are sought in the cosmetic, perfume, aromatherapy and pharmaceutical industries to be first adopters and to test the technology under research cooperation agreement or commercial agreement with technical assistance (no monetary commitment expected). Other types of cooperation may be considered if requested.
Technological Keywords: 03004001 Agro chemicals / 03004006 Organic Substances / 03004007 Pharmaceutics / 03004011 Care, Hygiene, Beauty
Type and Role of Partner Sought: Essentially the company are looking for 4 types of partners: 1) Industrial partners that manufacture essences/extracts. These companies will likely have their own fields with flowers or buy fresh flowers from nearby farmers and produce essences/extracts. Expected partner activities under research cooperation and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance will include testing and providing feedback and support to the project, expertise to help integrate into their production processes, assisting with experiments with their raw materials, comparing results with their existing technology and methods. 2) Industrial partners that manufacture products from/with essences/extracts. These companies will be manufacturers of cosmetics, aromatherapy products, perfumes and some pharmaceutical products. Expected partner activities under research cooperation and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance will include testing and providing feedback and support to the project, expertise to help define their requirements for essences/extracts, providing support and guidance on which products to focus on initially, comparing results with their existing materials. 3) Flower growers. These just grow flowers and do not do any post processing. Expected partner activities under research cooperation and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance will include testing and providing feedback and support to the project, expertise and advice in the area of botany, support and advice on herb harvesting and value, assisting with experiments with their raw materials. 4) Universities. Expected partner activities under research cooperation agreement will include academic advice and R&D support in supercritical fluid extraction, vehicle engineering and botany.
Type of Partnership Required: Commercial agreement with technical assistance / Research cooperation agreement