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SUMMARY:“Alpha MMA: A completely new process for the manufacture of meth
 ylmethacrylate” - Dr Ben Harris\, Technology Licensing Manager\, Lucite 
 International UK Ltd
DTSTART:20120426T150000Z
DTEND:20120426T160000Z
UID:TALK37402@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Elena Gonzalez
DESCRIPTION:Methylmethacrylate (MMA) is the monomer that is used to make h
 igh value polymers such as Perspex® and Lucite®. The superior properties
  of these polymers in terms of optical clarity\, UV stability and ability 
 to take colour mean that they can be used in many applications -from bathr
 oom furniture to surgical implantations. The traditional means of manufact
 ure of MMA all suffer from significant limitations\, including cost and ra
 w material availability\, and these have prevented more widespread use of 
 this material and its associated co-polymers.\nIn late 2008 Lucite success
 fully demonstrated a 120ktes/yr MMA plant using a new process that overcom
 es many of the limitations of the existing processes.\nThe new process has
  redefined the economics of manufacturing this chemical\nand plans for new
  plants twice the scale of any previous MMA plant are now well developed.\
 nThis seminar describes the rationale for new technology development\,the 
 subsequent screening and development of the ‘Alpha MMA’ technology\, t
 he 1:25000 scale-up methodology and early life-cycle learning from operati
 on of 1st commercial scale production unit. The future direction for devel
 opment of the technology is also outlined.
LOCATION:Dept Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology\, New Museums Site\, 
 Pembroke Street\, CB2 3RA
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