Graz, Austria – Corning Incorporated and Microinnova recently celebrated the opening of the Corning® Advanced-Flow™ Reactors (AFR) Application Qualified Lab (AQL) at their facility near Graz. Application qualified labs enable AFR customers to effectively access continuous-flow demonstrations, experimental trials, feasibility testing, and chemical reaction process development.
Corning currently has one other AQL in Europe at the University of Liège, which opened in 2017, as well as several operational AQLs worldwide that support the business. These regional facilities provide customers with convenient access to AFR Technology.
Microinnova is an innovation-based company focused on process development, design, and the realization of continuous pilot lines and manufacturing plants. Based on their critical parameter approach, Microinnova intensifies synthesis, as well as work-up and formulation processes using a wide range of different technologies leading to high-performance processes.
Microinnova has recently established a fluorine lab at their facility in Graz and are utilizing Corning’s G1 Silicon Carbide (G1 SiC) reactors to process highly toxic and corrosive chemicals in an inherently safer, more efficient way that can help customers in pharmaceutical, fine and specialty chemicals industries create a better end product.
“We’ve worked closely with Microinnova over the last few years, and the core values of innovation and commitment to inherently safer continuous flow chemistry really makes this collaboration a great fit for both companies,” said Alessandra Vizza, regional business director, Corning® Advanced-Flow Reactors. “Corning’s equipment and materials enable more stable reactions and can reduce inherent risks associated with handling/processing hazardous chemicals – which is really what the core of AFR Technology is all about.”
The location of this laboratory will help Microinnova provide broader reach to their customer base within the pharmaceutical, fine and specialty chemicals industries in Europe.
“We operate to strengthen our capabilities in the fields of fast, exothermic or highly corrosive processes for development as well as for manufacturing plant realization as a system integrator,” said Dr. Dirk Kirschneck, strategic director, Microinnova. “Based on the strong collaboration between the two companies since 2007, we are looking forward to continuing to work with Corning on future programs as one of their Application Qualified Labs.”
In addition to its AQLs, a critical part of the AFR business’ model for more than a decade has been its commitment to educating the regions where it operates.
“In Europe, we’re actively trying to educate both at the academic and industrial level on the value of continuous flow technology,” Alessandra said. “We’re hopeful that our broad product offerings as well as collaborations with companies like Microinnova will help us in this effort.”