R3Vtech: From university lab to pilot scale proof
R3V Tech developed an electrochemical flow reactor that converts waste feedstocks into a biobased solvent. While the core technology was validated, scaling the process became the next critical step.
Pictured: Adriano Randi, CEO, and Jin Xuan, Chief Technology Officer, R3V Tech
Their funders wanted to see proof that the process could hold up commercially. This meant a 20-hour continuous reactor run at volumes that would generate meaningful data. That's no small ask. It needs the right space, the right equipment, and the ability to keep a process running reliably through the night. The project has now evolved beyond the capabilities of a typical university start-up laboratory environment.
They also needed downstream processing support once the run was done, isolating and purifying the product to a standard that could be characterised and presented.
A complete end-to-end process
We've supported plenty of scale-up projects at the BDC and R3VTech's is an excellent example of what our open access facilities are designed to do. We provided them pilot-scale infrastructure and equipment to enable continuous reactor operation at the required production volumes, while our team stayed involved throughout the process to make sure things kept moving.
After the run, we supported the downstream processing, isolating and purifying the solvent to a standard that could be properly characterised. That end-to-end support is hard to match elsewhere, and it makes a real difference when you're trying to demonstrate a complete process rather than separate parts of it.
Demonstrating success
We also hosted their demo day here at the BDC. Funders, investors and potential supply chain partners came in to see the work for themselves. There’s a real difference between a slide deck and standing in front of the actual kit, seeing the technology running at pilot scale. It changes the nature of the conversation, and for an early-stage start-up, a completed pilot run and a room of engaged stakeholders has created a solid foundation for the next stage of their scale-up journey.
Adriano Randi, CEO, R3V Tech, said:
The BDC provided something our own facilities could not: the space, infrastructure, and operational support needed that enabled us to operate our reactor at pilot scale our funders and stakeholders needed to see. Having our demo day here added real credibility to the project. It's hard to overstate the value of being able to show people what your technology can do at pilot scale, in a professional setting.
Let's work together
We have worked on 1,500 bio-based projects to date
We have several ways to work with us, including business advisory programmes and self-funded commercial options. We even have the option for you to hire our state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and office space.
