Who Should Attend?

Company directors and senior managers of high growth / potentially high growth SMEs operating in the Process Industry

It is vital for high growth entrepreneurs to analyse the competition, generate and communicate new differentiators and implement strategies to exploit new opportunities. The day will comprise 4 sessions:

1. Your Success Factor. Forming the mindset that every successful entrepreneur needs.

2. Your Battleground. Analysing your competitive market place. Where is the gap?

3. Your Vision. Building a long-term strategy to exploit the gap. 

4. Your Difference. Communicating your expertise, your difference.

FREE to qualifying SMEs, Register early as places are limited.

To Reigster contact steven.bagshaw@uk-cpi.com

Dr Stephen Devine gave an excellent presentation entitled “Nanomaterials – the future is smaller than you think.” He initially explained the dramatic changes in properties of materials when reduced below 50nm. The subsequent rise in surface area and forces required to separate nano-particles are calculated to be enormous.  

Steve went on to describe the operation of the ConCor mill developed by Primary Dispersions where an inner spinning rod is moved close to the wall of an outer spinning chamber. The gap between the two rapidly spinning elements can be adjusted to micron levels and thus huge energies can be focussed on a very narrow area of dispersion. Particle breakdown is achieved without beads or other abrasive media as most of the interactions are particle to particle.

The shear forces produced are over 10 times more than conventional bead-milling, but as the forces are concentrated in a very precise gap it means less heat build up, less aggressive milling, faster through puts and an overall large saving in energy. The technology is powerful enough to separate TiO2 nano-particles but controllable enough to grind heat sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients.

It was demonstrated this process was able to take dispersions previously heavily bead-milled and quickly further reduce particles to nano-scale with a much improved size distribution range. Impressive results were demonstrated on a range of nano pigments (ZnO, TiO2 etc) and minerals (clays) suitable for surface coatings such as inkjet inks. Intriguingly some discussion of fully stable water in oil emulsions had been achieved in early trials without the need for surfactants, giving potential applications in the food industry.

Dr Devine admitted this was just the start of determining what the technology could do and Primary Dispersions are actively looking for partners to develop products and processes further. He urged any interested parties to contact him. Mailto Steve Devine

The presentation at Teesside University on 24th November was hosted by the Institute of Measurement and Control, and was well received by the audience prompting a long discussion section. Roger Mallinson of DRD Power explained the processes, some of the problems which were overcome and the technical specification of the plant.

The demonstrator unit is presently undergoing testing at Hunstman Tioxide in Greatham, and a full technical feasibility assessment will be concluded at the end of 2011. Early results have been very encouraging, with electricity produced from waste heat at temperatures as low as 78oC. Energy is converted from heat to electricity through the Organic Rankine Cycle which, although it is a well known process, operating efficiently at these temperature levels is a major achievement.

A 200kW rated ORC unit is able to produce electricity worth £100,000, equivalent to CO2 savings of 700T per annum. Part sponsored by The Carbon Trust and ONE, DRD Power have recently being given an IChemE – Highly Commended award for innovation and excellence. DRD Power intend to build and develop similar units based on the knowledge gained from this demonstrator.

Many industries are potential clients, so anyone with a waste heat stream between 90-130oC on part of their process should contact DRD Power and visit the demonstrator.

Thursday 8th December 2011 08:30 – 10:00

The Wilton Centre Science and Business Park, Redcar, TS10 4RF

The workshop will cover the different types of IP, being patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and confidential information, and how they can be protected, the costs of IP registrations, how to develop a strategy to make money out of IP and IP licensing and enforcement techniques

FREE breakfast is provided

Talk by Ward Hadaway

Download Flyer

The workshop at the University of Stirling on 4th November was run by the Biosciences KTN and Scottish Enterprise.

CPI were promoting their National Industrial Biotechnology Facility (NIBF) and the Anaerobic Digestion Development Centre (ADDC) as well as the Innovation Accelerator. The presentation was well received with a lot of interest in the NIBF’s scale up capacity as well as AD potential collaborations.

The workshop discussed how companies could apply for TSB competitions and how to find partners for collaborative projects.

Innovation Accelerator staff will assist any company looking to bid for TSB grants or competitions. www.innovateuk.org

Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial and in association with Intramezzo and UKBI

Connecting local businesses with top-level senior talent (huge salaries not expected)

 You are invited to present at Pitching for Management free of charge!

AngelNews, a relevant news service for entrepreneurs and investors is launching Pitching for Management in Newcastleon Mon 7^th November at Ward Hadaway’s offices and you are invited to take part.  These events enable fast-growing businesses to pitch for talented people to join their teams for sweat equity, commission and/or salary.  Audiences are typically made up of senior executives with various skills in roles ranging from sales, marketing and finance directors, to mentors, NEDs and CEOs. 

This is a beneficial opportunity for you to find great people to work with, to build a strong management team, hone pitching skills, become investor ready, network with senior business people and raise the profile of your business.

To reserve your free pitching slot call 01761 452248 or book online at http://pitchingformanagementinnewcastle.eventbrite.com/

For further information about the concept, including testimonials visit: www.pitching4management.com

• What do you need to do to attain finance?
• How it will benefit you
• Network with other SMEs and consultants
• FREE breakfast is provided

Date, Time & Address

Day: Tuesday 25th October 2011
Time: 08:00 – 09:10
Location: Sedgefield, PETEC, TS21 3FG

To register please contact steven.bagshaw@uk-cpi.com
Click here to download workshop flyer

Agenda

08:00 – 08:20 – Tea, Coffee & Breakfast
Hot bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches, Fresh fruit, Chocolate muffins and biscuits

08:20 – 08:30 - Welcome
Alan McClelland – Innovation Accelerator
Dr Jon Helliwell – The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)

08:30 – 08:50 - New TSB Grant for R&D as Source of Funding for Innovation
Roger Tipple Tipple Associates Limited

08:50 – 09:00 - What Grant Funding has Done for our Clients
Graham Bulman – Innovation Accelerator

09:00 – 09:10 - Questions & Answers

09:10 – Networking

Innovation Accelerator and Clean Capital would like to make you aware of Watervent’s funding event in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, held on the 17-18th October 2011.

The event primarily addresses Water Tech Entrepreneurs and Investors with the following objectives:

- Those that are looking for funding and venture capital

- Those that are looking for (first) clients i.e. reference applications

- Those that looking for interesting new technologies i.e. investment opportunities

- Those that are generally interested in – disruptive? – water technologies?

Join our www.watervent.com on October 17th and 18th in Leeuwarden/The
Netherlands!

Reply-To: services@cleancapital.co.uk

If you are an SME within the Science, Technology and Life Science sectors and would like your vacancy on the Innovation Accelerator’s careers page then please email:

enquiries@innovation-accelerator.co.uk

The intense afternoon started with short presentations from each company, and an excellent summary of the work done by both the Innovation Accelerator and UKTI.

Siemens Control Systems sponsored the event with Steve Jackson presenting an overview of the Siemens organisation. Nearly all of the attendees had used Siemens’ equipment.

The presentations were followed by a networking session in which attendees discussed each others presentations. Finally a set of breakout sessions were held to discuss, Growth, Funding and Networking.

Companies thought that follow up sessions would be valuable.

Please check for information on forthcoming events on this website, or ask one of the Market Sector Specialists.