Triumph for pollution-busting technology

PA 177/09 An innovative commercial project based on pioneering research into mineral processing at The University of Nottingham has won an international award for its impact on industry. The project, 'Microwave Exfoliation of Vermiculite', won the Environmental Impact award from the UK's leading body of research commercialisation professionals, UNICO. The awards recognise and celebrate the process of turning knowledge and expertise from research centres into real commercial products and services that benefit society and the economy. The University's winning entry is a new and environmentally-friendly way of processing vermiculite, a widely-used mineral, and it is generating significant market interest. It links microwave expertise, market knowledge and funding sources to develop a new low-energy technology which is set to revolutionise the processing of this valuable commodity. Entries for the awards had to show that the project submitted had achieved, or had the potential to achieve, public impact and that knowledge transfer was a crucial part of that process. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral widely used in fireproofing and horticultural markets.