Page 18 - PERIODIC Magazine Issue 5

Co
A llaboration

of Excellence

Such ground-breaking research has to date resulted in
37 publications in international peer reviewed journals,
whilst in 2015-16, 10% of all the new patent filings arising
from the University of Oxford originated from the CoE. In
2015, Professor O’Hare received an Impact Award from
the University’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences
Division in recognition for his achievements in setting up
the CoE.

The establishment of the CoE itself has strengthened
scientific and commercial ties between the UK and
Thailand leading to Professor O’Hare and SCG’s
presentation to HRH Princess Sirindhorn at the British
Embassy, Bangkok in 2016. This was a tremendous
honour for all concerned and the first time a commercial
The SCG-Oxford Centre of Excellence for Thai organisation had been invited to showcase new
Chemistry (CoE) is a unique collaboration chemical technologies to the Thai Royal Family.
between Siam Cement Group (SCG), one of the It has been acknowledged that the next step for the CoE is
largest petrochemical companies in Asia, and the commercialisation; hence, three-way collaborations with
University of Oxford, with dedicated laboratories five other universities and two commercial entities were
in the Department of Chemistry. Having begun as created in the last two years:
a small collaboration between just one student and
Professor Dermot O’Hare back in 2009, the CoE was As a direct result of new high surface area layered double
established in 2013 and committed funds by SCG to hydroxides (LDHs) being made at the CoE, in March 2017
the CoE now total over £10 million, making it one of the first pilot plant for LDH synthesis was opened through
the largest industrial funders in the Department of a joint long-term collaboration between SCG, University of
Chemistry. Oxford and Beijing University of Chemical Technology.

The CoE team is led by Director Professor Dermot New catalyst platforms developed for olefin polymerisation
O’Hare and currently comprises 47 people, including 15 by the CoE have been transferred to SCG for testing.
professors, 18 post-doctoral researchers, 13 PhD students SCG are currently working with toll manufacturers for
and an administrator who all contribute to its success. catalyst scale-up for their pilot plant, with commercial use
expected in 2018/19.
The main objective of the CoE is to act as a hub for
academic/industry collaboration as well as delivering new SCG are planning to build a second pilot plant to build-on
innovation to SCG and impact at academic level. Research opportunities in catalysis and polymer additives with the
is focused on the area of nanomaterials – including the first product launch, CierraFR™, expected in 2018.
development of new non-toxic flame retardant additives
for PVC in wiring and cables, and catalysis - including the
conversion of CO to hydrocarbon fuels and synthesis
2
and characterisation of organometallic molecules for
the efficient production of polyethylene and other
biodegradable polymers.

Forty-seven projects have so far been funded with many
more in the pipeline. These vary from short innovative
pump-prime projects under the umbrella of the SCG
Innovation Fund (SIF) to longer-term projects funding 3
year postdoctoral research assistants and studentships.

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Periodic The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry