This document summarizes the expertise and services of Meurice R&D's Physical Chemistry & Catalysis Department. The department specializes in noble metal catalyst preparation, heterogeneous catalyst characterization, functionalization of unsaturated compounds, and valorization of vegetal oils. They conduct applied research projects on producing biopolymers and polymers from renewable resources like soybean oil. Services include catalyst development, liquid phase reactions, and training in catalysis and adsorption. Opportunities exist for companies in bioproducts like poly(ester-urethane)s from renewable resources and polyhydroxylated polyesters.

1. 1
Meurice R&D
Physical Chemistry & Catalysis Department
Institut Meurice (HELDB), Brussels
Vincent Dubois,
Head of Department
Stefano Casciato,
PhD
Lab’InSight “Bioproducts : from molecules to materials »
Namur, May 25th 2012

2. Fields of Expertise
• Noble metal supported catalyst preparation
• Heterogeneous catalyst characterization
• Functionalization of unsaturated compounds
• Valorization of vegetal oils
• Monomers for biopolymers
• Monomers for specific polymers
Companies potentially interested
• Oleo-chemical industries
• Paint and Ink formulators
• Polyurethane foam applications (building, automotive, …)
2
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
in Bioproducts: from molecules to materials
Namur – May 25th 2012

3. 3
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Namur – May 25th 2012
PROCESSING BENEFITS
• atmospheric oxygen as reactant
• low energy process (catalysis)
• solvent free technology
• atom economy (atomic efficiency : 100%)
• Thermoplastic or thermosetting bio-based polyurethanes
• Automotive, building, …
• Bio-paint formulation
Poly(ester-urethane)s from RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Soybean
Functionalized
soybean oil
Thermosetting
polyurethane

4. 4
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Namur – May 25th 2012
• Di-functional monomers synthesis
• Polymerization by ring-opening reaction
• Specific polymers dedicated to specific applications
Polyhydroxylated polyesters
O
(CH2)x (CH2)y
(CH2)y
O
OH O
OH
O
(CH2)x
BENEFITS
• Flexible process
• Polymers with reactive organic function
• Large range of applications

5. 5
SERVICES PROVIDED TO COMPANIES
Namur – May 25th 2012
• Synthesis of noble metal or metal oxide supported
catalysts
• Catalyst characterization
• Lab scale catalyst production
Catalyst
development
• Catalytic hydrogenation or oxidation reactions
• Catalytic performances evaluation in model reactions
• Experimental parameters optimization
• Kinetics (from atmospheric to high pressure)
Liquid phase
reactions

6. 6
OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPANIES
TRAINING
Namur – May 25th 2012
Adsorption on porous and nonporous solids
Kinetics studies
Catalysis training
Licensing opportunities
• Poly(ester-urethane)s made from RENEWABLE RESOURCES
• Thermoplastic or thermosetting polyhydroxylated polyesters

7. 7
LAB CONTACT INFORMATION
Vincent Dubois, PhD
Head of Department, CEO
Vincent.dubois@meurice.heldb.be - Phone : +32 2 526 73 11
Stefano Casciato, PhD
Meurice R&D/Physical Chemistry & Catalysis Department
Institut Meurice (HELDB), Brussels
Av. E. Gryzon, 1
Bât. 10
B-1070 Bruxelles
www.meurice.org
Namur – May 25th 2012