Leeds University in the UK is to open a £4m laboratory to support the development of "greener, cheaper and more effective" chemicals for the pharmaceutical industry.
The new lab for the Institute of Process Research and Development (iRPD) will include analytical, batch and continuous processing equipment, a 20-50 litre, ATEX-compliant testing and production facility, reaction hazard and process testing calorimeters and a suite of on-line PAT equipment.
In addition to process development projects, the new laboratory will conduct small-scale custom manufacturing.
Funding was in part provided by a £4.3m investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Yorkshire Forward.
"The lab will innovate processes for specific commercial challenges," said Professor John Blacker, iPRD's technical director.
"This will enable smaller companies to access chemical process and manufacturing r&d, thereby improving their competitiveness and green credentials without the conventional barriers of high research costs."
The iPRD was set up last year to forge closer links between university research and commercial needs. It has so far won research and industry funding worth around £5m for projects in catalysis, extraction and crystallisation control.
The iPRD also offers an MSc course in chemical process research and development, integrating the chemistry and engineering aspects of the Pharma process to develop production methods that give scientists the skills to help meet global challenges, such as lower cost drugs, renewable energy and reduced environmental impact.