Chemical Process R&D
Route Identification and Selection
Our consultants have expertise in the design of low-cost, efficient and safe synthetic routes for complex molecules, particularly pharmaceuticals.  Our expertise has been gained in the agrochemical, colour chemical and fine chemical industries as well as in contract manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, so we understand the importance of choice of cheap raw materials, short and convergent syntheses and low cost but selective reagents for efficient syntheses leading to scalable manufacturing routes.
Process Development and Optimisation

Our consultants teach courses in optimisation, in particular using statistical methods.  As processes get close to manufacture and need validating, where the critical process parameters and design space need to be evaluated, the use of statistical methods becomes crucial. We can assist you in optimising your process prior to scale up, validation or manufacture.

We are experts in chemical development and scale up and can advise on choice of reagent or catalyst/ligand, parameters to optimise, work up of reactions, product isolation and purification and space-time-yield improvement as well as choice of equipment. 

Materials Sourcing and Costing
Through our collective 90 years of industrial experience, our consultants know where to source unusual materials and who to go to for custom synthesis.  We also have access to specialist databases.  We have carried out detailed costing of processes for clients, with cost projections for scale up to manufacturing.
Safety and Environmental Issues
Our consultants have expertise in evaluation of process safety and environmental issues and have developed training courses in both these areas, the latter a Green Chemistry course focusing on environmentally friendly manufacture.  These courses are available either as public or in-house options (see our website for details of our Conferences and Courses, including the 'Safety and Selectivity in the Scale Up of Chemical Reactions' Course given by Dr Will Watson)
Process Optimisation
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Technology Transfer
Through our experiences, especially in the contract research and manufacturing industries, we have considerable experience of technical transfer both from a client and to a third party.  We have over the years consulted with many clients where the project has involved technical transfer as the scales of operation increased from lab to plant.
Training and Technical Updates

For some of our clients, who may struggle to find the time to keep up to date with the literature of chemistry and with new technical advances, we can provide short updates (1-2 hours) as part of a consultancy day.  For example, seminars have included:
•    Highlights from the literature of organic chemistry
•    Continuous processing
•    Catalytic Hydrogenation
•    Biocatalysis for process R&D
•    Salt selection and cocrystals
•    Microwave Chemistry
•    Designing crystallisation processes
•    Chemistry in water

These seminars are over and above our current range of courses which can, of course be adapted to the client’s needs.

In addition, we publish an e-Newsletter 'What's New in Process Chemistry' highlighting recent articles from the literature and topical tips, some of which may not yet have been published.