Chemical reaction kinetics at the academic-industrial interface

Presentation by:

L.W. Bolton, L.A. Chewter, F. Galimberti, J.J. Heiszwolf, X. Nijhuis, H. Spohr, E.H. Stitt, R. van Duren, Jan J. Verstraete, P. Wenmakers, H-J. Zander (Eurokin Consortium Main Committee representatives)

Since its early development, chemical reaction engineering has always strongly benefitted from close cooperation between academia and industrial companies. This has been particularly so in the area of chemical reaction kinetics, where best practice in industry generally lags behind developments in academia. The gap between industrial practice and academic achievement can be closed by a structured and concerted effort to learn from each other’s experiences leading to, on the one hand, an increase in industrial capabilities in the area of reaction kinetics and, on the other hand, a source of industrially relevant themes as input to academic research through close contact with the needs of industry.

The Eurokin consortium on reaction kinetics has been a prime example of this strategy. The close interaction of the industrial members and academia through the Eurokin consortium has also allowed the identification of gaps-and-needs in the area of reaction kinetics in industrial applications. This presentation briefly reviews the areas of cooperation and provides a few examples of results and learnings. After twenty years, the Eurokin consortium continues to generate new projects in the area of reaction kinetics to fulfill the developing needs of industry.