Kinaltek licenses catalyst technology to India

Materials technology developer Kinaltek has licensed UPL Speciality Chemicals to utilise its technology for the development of catalyst production in India.

The division of UPL Limited signed an MoU giving it access to Kinaltek’s low-cost, one-step process to rapidly produce nickel-based alloys for production of nickel catalysts for large-scale manufacturers and users.

Kinaltek CEO and founder Dr Jawad Haidar said: “We are excited to join forces with UPL to develop the technology and we look forward for a productive and fruitful relationship with them”.

The planned development is based on Kinaltek’s patented process of direct aluminothermic reduction of metal oxides to make metallic materials.

It converts low-cost metallic precursor powders into high quality products without the need for specialist materials or costly processes frequently used by other companies.

The process was developed in a $1.19 million pilot facility at Villawood in Sydney (pictured) partly funded by a $500,000 grant from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.

Also involved were the University of Sydney, Scimita Ventures and AMAERO International.

AMGC managing director Dr Jens Goennemann has said that as additive manufacturing continues to mature, demand for metallic powders was expected to increase significantly.

Current catalyst production practises involve numerous steps and a number of intensive energy steps
stating with producing nickel and aluminium, following by co-melting, quenching and crushing to
obtain alloys suitable for catalyst production.

The Kinaltek process will produce the alloys in one step while cutting cost and reducing environmental impact significantly

Kinaltek has a considerable IP portfolio of technologies capable of producing metallic systems based on 27 different
elements.

Picture: Kinaltek

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