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The University of Liverpool (Liverpool, England) and Scott Bader Co. Ltd. (Wellingborough, U.K.) report they have established Polymer Mimetics, a joint venture to develop a novel polymer chemistry platform for the wider industrial chemical sector. The new company will be a registered subsidiary of Scott Bader Co. Ltd., which will be the majority shareholder.

Polymer Mimetics, Scott Bader says, is built upon technology originally developed by Professor Steve Rannard, from the University’s department of chemistry, which takes widely available commodity chemical building blocks — many currently used by Scott Bader — and in a novel, highly scalable process, transforms them into high-performance polymeric products. The company hopes these materials will open up new opportunities in coatings, adhesives, composites specialty additives, lubricants, personal care and additive manufacturing, as well as open up the possibility to develop degradable polymers.

Polymer Mimetics will be based in Liverpool, in close proximity to the university and will initially employ three scientists to carry out fundamental research in areas aligned closely to Scott Bader’s current business interests and future business strategy. To exploit this opportunity, Scott Bader says it has also obtained an exclusive global license to all of the background patents and know-how underpinning the technology. Further, the company says it plans for Polymer Mimetics to carry out funded research on behalf of third parties in areas with no conflicting interests.

The Polymer Mimetics team will report directly into Mark Cooper, group chief technology officer, and the research activities will be led by Steven Brown, new technology manager, working closely with the Polymer Mimetics team and Scott Bader's own R&D group.