In the field of fine chemistry, there is a trend towards the development, optimization, and scaling of industrial processes through Continuous Chemistry or Flow Chem, which allows the application of new advanced manufacturing technologies in fine chemistry both to improve existing industrial processes, transforming and optimizing production systems frombatch to continuous, and facilitating the development of new processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The objective is to focus on the quality of production and the efficiency and safety of the production process, as well as reducing the environmental impact.
Since its inauguration in 2020, the Flow Chem Process Unit has established itself as one of the leading IQS services for industry, mainly with companies in the pharmaceutical sector.
Since its inauguration in 2020, the Continuous Chemical Processes Unit or Flow Chem Unit, integrated within the Process Transfer and Integrative Technologies Centre (CTPTI) and associated with the Pharmaceutical Chemistry (GQF) and Chemical Reactions for Innovative Solutions (CRISOL) research groups, has established itself among the leading IQS laboratories offering services for industry. During these initial years of operation, this unit has successfully served different companies such as Esteve, AGC, LEBSA, and Medichem, mainly within the pharmaceutical sector.
Currently, the unit is coordinated by Dr Xavier Berzosa Rodríguez, professor of Industrial Chemistry and Process Chemistry, and is home to a multidisciplinary team formed by expert researchers and professors in the areas of organic chemistry, chemical engineering, and analytical chemistry. This structure makes it possible to improve each of the stages of the R&D process, making the transfer of research and technology complete and high quality.
Flow Chem Unit services
The Flow Chem Unit has two modular reaction instruments, one on a laboratory scale (ASIA) and another for process scaling – kilolab (TITAN). The unit also offers the possibility of designing and validating other tailor-made reactors for specific operations, especially aimed at working in multi-phase systems and applying knowledge and innovative technologies in membranes and adsorption systems, among others.
Within this range of services, we can highlight the following:
- Testing (Screening) and selecting chemical reactions, supported by microwave reactors.
- Laboratory tests to develop new processes or improve existing ones.
- Process optimization, through design of experiments (DoE).
- New or existing processes scaling.
- Small batch production for testing.
- Consulting on implementation in new industrial facilities.
The Flow Chem unit works in collaboration with other IQS laboratories, such as the Thermal Analysis Laboratory and the Chromatography Laboratory, which enables us to offer analytical controls both for processes and the final product, as well as to verify the thermal safety of the processes that we carry out.
RESEARCH GROUP
CRISOL – Chemical Reactions for Innovative Solutions
CRISOL is a powerful team capable of offering innovative chemical tools that make it real solutions to the challenges of Molecular Science, a discipline that is at the heart of key activities for Society, such as Medicinal and Process Chemistry, or Materials Science.
GQF – Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group
The GQF group research focuses on two main areas: 1) The Pharmaceutical Chemistry Unit (new drugs)2) The Continuous Chemical Processes Unit
