Information on Loughborough
News Index
2009
Nov 2009Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Second Loughborough University spin out created under IPSO Agreement
Posted on 11/07/08
IPSO Ventures plc, the intellectual property commercialisation specialist, has today announced its wholly owned subsidiary Ipso Management Limited (IPSO) has created and invested in its second spin out company, Polyfect Solutions Limited, under its Framework Agreement with Loughborough University.
Polyfect, a spin out from the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering, has technology that demonstrates the ability both to reduce the cost of manufacturing plastic products and improve the quality of the plastic from which they are made.
The technology achieves savings and quality improvements through the highly efficient incorporation of functional fillers into plastics. Functional fillers are the materials which are used to change the properties of a plastic, for example, to make it non-static, to create gas barriers or change its pigmentation.
Conventional processes for incorporating functional fillers in plastics achieve far from optimal results with a significant proportion of the material being poorly dispersed. This necessitates the use of large quantities of filler to achieve the desired properties. The fillers are typically more expensive than the virgin plastic and also degrade the mechanical properties of the plastic. Polyfects technology allows significantly less filler to be used, resulting in both cost savings and quality improvements as well as having a positive environmental benefit. The process allows for a significant reduction in fillers such as carbon black. Polyfects technology also improves filler dispersion within plastics by up to around 10 times that of conventional processes.
Polyfects technology has the potential to enable the mass production of:
- Cheaper plastics using smaller quantities of expensive functional fillers
- Plastics with improved mechanical properties
- New classes of materials with highly attractive properties
IPSO is investing up to 400,000 in two tranches. The Lachesis Fund, the University Challenge Fund for the East Midlands, is also involved in this transaction.
Polyfect will license this technology to operators in the plastics supply chain for integration into their existing processes. Capital expenditure and running costs of using this technology are low whilst the potential material cost savings are high, making it profitable for licensees with a short payback time. Initial feedback from potential licensees on the technology has been very positive and IPSO believes that this business model should quickly generate high-margin royalty revenues for Polyfect. Initially, during scale-up, Polyfect will seek to work with a limited number of organisations that recognise the potential of the technology for their applications and wish to be amongst the first to realise its benefits.
Simon Hunt, Executive Chairman of IPSO, said: We are very pleased to have created our second spin-out company under our agreement with Loughborough. We have assembled a strong team to take Polyfect forward and have appointed Ian Balchin as Interim CEO. Ian has over 20 years experience commercialising a wide range of technologies, including polymer related technologies. Amongst other achievements, he presided over a period of rapid growth during his time as president of Biotec Holdings GmbH, one of the largest manufacturers of biopolymers in Europe.
We are also very pleased to have co-invested with the Lachesis fund.
Shirley Pearce, Vice-Chancellor, Loughborough University, added: We are really excited about IPSOs second Loughborough spin out resulting from our partnership. We believe this is a further excellent example of how Loughborough enterprise can be translated by the right commercialisation partner from raw technology to the commercial market place.
Ian Balchin, CEO of Polyfect said, Polyfects technology has the potential to create significant savings for polymer processors through reduced filler costs, light-weighting of components and the creation of new polymer materials without having to use chemical processing to ensure good dispersion of fillers. In particular, at a time when high oil prices are impacting on polymer feedstock prices, Polyfects technology should be welcomed as a way of reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact. My initial focus will be on scaling up the technology and engaging with a select number of organisations that recognise its potential and wish to be amongst the first to realise its benefits.
Latest News
Launceston Road junction improvements begin | |
|---|---|
 | Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Launceston Road junction improvements beginWork on a new road layout to ease traffic congestion is starting at a key junction in Wigston next week. The £60,000 improvements to the junction of Station Road and Launceston Road include a new mini roundabout and an extension to the on-pavement cycle lane.... 21 Nov 2009 Launceston Road junction improvements begin |
Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Accident-reducing road improvements in HinckleyWork is starting on the second phase of a £110,000 road improvement scheme to reduce accidents along a key route in Hinckley. The work on Dodwells Road and Normandy Way, which is being carried out by Leicestershire County Council, is due to start on Monday.... 21 Nov 2009 Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley |
Seven schools receive £16 million revamp | |
| 20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp |
Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture | |
 | University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture |
An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke | |
| 10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke |
Related News
Second University spin out created under IPSO Agreement | |
|---|---|
 | Second University spin out created under IPSO Agreement IPSO Ventures plc, the intellectual property commercialisation specialist, has today announced its wholly owned subsidiary Ipso Management Limited (IPSO) has created and invested in its second spin out company, Polyfect Solutions Limited, under its Framework Agreement with Loughborough University. Polyfect, a spin out from the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering, has technology that demonstrates the ability both to reduce the cost of manufacturing plastic products and improve the quality of the plastic from which they are made.... 28 Dec 2008 Second University spin out created under IPSO Agreement |
ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution | |
| ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution A Loughborough University led project is set to revolutionise the way components for the aeronautical and automotive sectors are made, leading to a significant reduction in weight, wastage and CO2 emissions both at the manufacturing stage and during use. The University s Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering will apply state-of-the-art Rapid Manufacturing (RM) techniques also known as Additive Manufacturing to make parts for aircraft and motor vehicles.... 15 Jan 2009 ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution |
Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges | |
 | Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers.... 14 Mar 2008 Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Launch of new technology for safer solvents | |
 | Ionic Liquids Demonstrator Open Day Wednesday 3rd June 2009 at 4pm at the University of Leicester ... 01 Jun 2009 Launch of new technology for safer solvents |
Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges | |
| Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers. CECA has been established to provide cost-effective assembly solutions for aerospace, defence, pharmaceutical/medical, device and niche automotive supply chains.... 26 Dec 2008 Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Relevant News
congestion charge camera | |
|---|---|
 | A new infrared imaging system developed in Loughborough that automatically counts the number of people in moving road vehicles could offer a simple and cost effective solution to help lower carbon emi... 26 Jul 2007 congestion charge camera |
Award for John Tyer | |
| A new infrared imaging system developed by scientists at Loughborough University has won an award for innovation. ... 28 Nov 2007 Award for John Tyer |
Loughborough Guitar | |
 | Cool Acoustics, the Loughborough University venture developing foamed polymer technology for acoustic guitars, today unveiled its Secret Valentine project. This yearlong collaboration with renowned UK guitarist Gordon Giltrap whose discography spans almost 40 years and master guitar-maker Rob Armstrong has resulted in a specially commissioned studio album recorded on a stunning new polymer acoustic guitar.... 28 Nov 2007 Loughborough Guitar |
Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges | |
| Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers.... 14 Mar 2008 Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Get Weaving in Loughborough | |
 | Charnwood Arts would like you to get weaving at their latest Create Too workshop. Loughborough s Charnwood Museum will be hosting a basket weaving workshop led by artist Clare Bull on Tuesday June 10th.... 31 May 2008 Get Weaving in Loughborough |
Most Read News (today)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
 | A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
 | Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
 | Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
 | 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
Seven schools receive £16 million revamp | |
| 20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey | |
|---|---|
| Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey |
Loughborough Fair | |
| The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair |
Police searching for missing man have found a body | |
 | Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body |
Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice | |
| Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice |
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY | |
| Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY |
Most Read News (alltime)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
| A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
| Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
| Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
| 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire | |
 | Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |