A VERY WARM WELCOME

Dream. Innovate. Create.

NMMU Institute for Chemical Technology and
Downstream Chemicals Technology Station

InnoVenton: Institute of Chemical Technology is a formally registered Research Institute at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, whose principle research focus is Applied Chemistry in Product and Process Development. The institute strives to be self sustaining through income generated from services to industry, income from technology transfer projects and royalties from patents.

The Institute incorporates the Downstream Chemicals Technology Station, a Government funded initiative to make available high level research, technological services and training, to technology based Small and Medium Enterprises, and South African Industry as a whole.

InnoVenton’s Key Performance Areas

• New Knowledge Creation
• Teaching and Learning
• Services

New Knowledge Creation

InnoVenton’s principle research focus, in support of its mission to contribute to the growth and development of the SA downstream chemical industry, is the development of chemical processes and products utilising specific technologies.

The purpose of this research is principally the development of commercialisable products and processes to create new business opportunities, thereby contributing to the development of the South Africa economy.

In terms of new product development, the institute utilises sophisticated computer modelling techniques to create and optimise blends of chemical and natural compounds to create new products. This process, along with the modification of compounds to create improved efficacy and new applications, has been responsible for several ground breaking patented inventions, examples are set below.

The process R&D focus is principally based on the development of novel small and micro scale reactor technologies, suitable for the production of chemical of high purities, low production costs and capital requirements, and scalable to the demand levels of the local and regional industry and markets.

Recent examples of these activities are:

• Insect repellent – product and process;
• Flower preservation – process;
• Herbicide – product;
• Large scale algae propagation and conversion to fuels and chemicals;
• Natural compound based plasticizers.

Typically projects are either originated and funded by the Institute or by Industry and undertaken as projects by post graduate students in the pursuit of Masters and Doctoral degrees.

Teaching and Learning

One of InnoVenton’s key activities focuses on professional training in both formal and non-formal training areas. In addition, InnoVenton develops and implements strong internship programs in key industrial areas such as the pharmaceutical industry, food industry and petrochemical industry.

InnoVenton Training provides purpose designed training in the areas of technology and skills development, and offers various degree and non-degree training courses, examples including:

• Formulation Science – BSc Hons;
• Chemical Process Operations – National Diploma (2011);
• Applied statistical methods for technologists;
• Basic chemical engineering for chemists;
• Design and analysis of experiments for the development of formulations, mixtures and blends;
• Process development skills for chemists;
• Applied biostatistics with Excel;
• 12 month post graduate internships in the chemical Industry.

Services

InnoVenton prides itself in terms of its strong relationships with large and small businesses in the chemical sector and through its Technology Support unit provides specific technology support to Industry and SMME’s in the fields of:

• Problem solving services for Industry and SME’s (process and product problem solving);
• Technical innovation support and project management;
• Transfer of technology from in-house innovations, and the development of client innovations, to pilot plant and commercialisation stage;
• Analytical services in support of client product quality management and environmental regulation.

The three principle service areas are:

InnoVenton Technology Demonstration (Kilo Lab) is a facility for the scale up of small scale (milligram and gram quantities) laboratory-developed chemical processes and products, to kilogram quantities. The facility is also used for the demonstration and development of technology on a kilogram scale, as well as for the production of kilogram quantity samples for Industry and research.

InnoVenton Analytical provides a comprehensive series of chemical and material testing and analysis services for industry in the areas of:

• General chemical analysis;
• Agri-food analysis;
• Materials testing;
• Environmental analysis; and
• Biofuels and fuels testing (November 2010).

The laboratory carries SANAS accreditation for specific methods.

InnoVenton Training provides purpose designed training in the areas of technology and skills development, and offers various non-degree training courses in, inter alia, applied statistical methods for technologists, Basic chemistry and Measurement System Analysis (MSA).