28/02/07

Bioniqs gives Whitehall inside track on SME challenges

Richard Carter, the head of the Department of Trade and Industry Chemical Unit, toured the laboratories of Bioniqs at York Science Park to gather first-hand knowledge about the challenges facing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The University of York spinout company, which is developing a new generation of solvents that are friendlier to the environment and safer to use, has already benefited from investment from the DTI-backed Viking Fund.

During his visit, Mr Carter saw how the company designs and manufactures novel ionic liquids - salts that are molten at room temperature - which can be specifically tailored for biochemical systems.

They offer significant advantages over traditional solvents in manufacturing industries (chemical, pharmaceutical, paper and textile) with the advantages of being non-toxic, non-flammable and biodegradable.

Mr Carter was shown around the company’s premises by Bioniqs CEO Dr Adam Walker and Commercial Director Dr Neil Sullivan. Dr Walker said: “We are sure that Richard Carter’s visit gave him a real insight into the range of challenges facing small, but growing, companies such as ours in what is a fiercely competitive industry in the UK and beyond.”

“The growth and development of successful SMEs such as Bioniqs is critical to the success of the bioscience sector and we’re really encouraged by the DTI’s visit”, says Steph Morris, Coordinator for Bioscience York, an industry-led cluster of organisations working in the biosciences, supporting innovation and business growth across York and North Yorkshire.

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