en.Wedoany.com Reported - SIBUR is partnering with Southern Federal University to develop high-precision chemical processes for the production of catalysts and specialty chemicals using microfluidic technology. The initial project will focus on developing domestic catalyst components to replace imports for the production of high-quality polyethylene grades.
Microfluidic methods perform chemical reactions in microchannels only a few thousandths of a millimeter thick, with reactor sizes no larger than a matchbox. Despite minimal reagent volumes, they achieve high reaction rates with stable processes free from temperature or pressure fluctuations. Due to their small size, these systems significantly reduce accident risks and simplify handling of potentially hazardous substances.
Currently, microfluidic technology is widely used in the pharmaceutical and medical fields for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients and creating targeted drug delivery systems. In the petrochemical industry, this method can be applied to develop new catalysts, optimize hydrocarbon processing, and create sustainable technological solutions with a smaller environmental footprint.
SIBUR is building an ecosystem of joint research institutions, educational centers, and technology partners to advance this direction. Southern Federal University has become a key participant, as it hosts one of the country's leading scientific schools in microfluidics and research infrastructure.
The first collaborative projects include developing an organic compound for producing domestic catalysts needed for high-quality polyethylene grades. Currently, these catalysts are imported from China, and the technology under development aims to create domestic solutions competitive with foreign counterparts in both quality and cost.
Alongside developing microfluidic processes, SIBUR and Southern Federal University are also advancing innovative post-processing methods for the subsequent treatment of synthesized products. For certain chemical processes, this step remains necessary, so the partners will develop solutions that preserve the advantages of microfluidics while improving economic efficiency when scaling the technology.
Daria Borisova, a member of SIBUR's Board of Directors and Managing Director for Research and Innovation, Business Development, and New Technology Engineering, noted that flow chemistry and microfluidic chemistry represent one of the modern directions in chemical technology. This technology is already applied in the pharmaceutical industry, and its potential in the chemical sector is being explored. In collaboration with Southern Federal University, several hypotheses are being tested, revealing potential for improving operational efficiency, stabilizing process conditions, and enhancing product quality. Microfluidic systems create opportunities for more precise process simulation, including within the framework of production line digital twins, enabling desired production volumes with smaller equipment and footprint. The technology's limitations lie in handling small volumes and low tonnages, making it suitable for specific types of processes. Overcoming these scientific and technical challenges will lay the foundation for the emergence of new domestic technologies needed in petrochemical and other high-tech industries.
Under the "Priority 2030" program, Southern Federal University is establishing a center for micro- and small-scale chemistry and chemical engineering. This platform will serve as a basis for piloting new processes, both for SIBUR and other industrial partners, supporting the path from fundamental research and laboratory experiments to pilot and industrial production using microfluidic devices and artificial intelligence systems.
The development of microfluidic technology at SIBUR is accompanied by systematic talent cultivation. The company serves as an industrial partner for the master's program in microfluidic synthesis at Southern Federal University and jointly implements employee training programs with Russian and international educational and technology centers.
