Introducing Umicore and its Nanotechnology

Transcription

1 Umicar Infinity, the solar powered car, sponsored by Umicore, which ended second in the 2007 World Solar Challenge, raced in Australia Introducing Umicore and its Nanotechnology Leuven, info session Master Nanoscience and Nanotechnology April 23rd 2009 Umicore in the past - a bit of history mining ores & raw materials refining metals transformation metal compounds 2 2 1

2 Asturienne des Mines Vieille-Montagne Compagnie des Metaux d Overpelt Société Générale Métallurgique de Hoboken 1887 Usine de Désargentation (Degussa) Société Générale des Minerais 1959 Mechim Union Minière du Haut-Katanga Cumerio Union Minière ACEC 1989 UM 1919 SIBEKA 1990 MDK Kombinat Pirdop Sogem 1873 Degussa (EM) DMC 2 PMG * Smaller acquisitions not mentioned in this overview 2007 Nyrstar Today, our company is Umicore is one of the world s biggest suppliers of automotive catalysts for passenger cars Umicore is a world leader in the production of key materials for rechargeable batteries used in laptops and mobile phones Umicore s germanium substrates for high-efficiency solar cells are used in the bulk of the satellites launched today Umicore is the world s largest recycler of precious metals from old mobile phones, laptops, electronic scrap or spent catalyst material 4 2

3 Umicore today- a materials technology group Less is more application know-how Metal related materials can be efficiently and infinitely recycled, which makes them the basis for sustainable products and services metals chemistry material material science solutions metallurgy material solutions recycling 5 Umicore today: global footprint Umicore Insert key elements 1998 vs 2008: People Sites Revenues 865m 2,123.6m Number of sites Workforce 8,065 15,500 Add sites as dots 6 3

4 A decentralised, customer-focused organisation 7 Focus on clean technologies Commitment to R&D is paramount in Umicore s business 4

5 8,00% 7,00% 6,00% 5,00% 4,00% 3,00% 2,00% 1,00% 0,00% Research & development expenditure: driving organic growth Research & development expenditure up 32% yearly over last 6 years up 6% yearly since PMG acquisition Stable level at some 6-7 % of revenues ,46% 3,25% (in million ) 5,71% 5,35% 111,7 103,8 5,83% 5,80% 114,8 124,5 7,00% ,5 47, R&D R&D / revenues 9 80% of R&D expenditure in clean tech domain recycling emission control rechargeable batteries photovoltaics fuel cells innovative technologies specifically designed to optimise the use of natural resources and to reduce environmental impact 10 5

6 Umicore Nano: Hype or future? Some properties change dramatically with size Some examples (where Umicore is active) : Chemical : from inert to active catalysis (Precious metals, oxides) 2,5 Standard ZnO Zano 2,0 Optical: from colored to transparent Absorbance (A) 1,5 1,0 UV protection 0,5 0, Wavelength (nm) Thermal: from stable to low temperature sintering printed electronics (nano Ag) 12 6

7 So, nano, yes but... If some properties change dramatically with size... Toxicity and eco-toxicity are (becoming) very important aspects! The Umicore approach: Internally: production R&D responsibility Best equipment Separated rooms for powder handling Monitoring of dust in plant Specific workplace measurements by external specialist Personal protection Stringent hygiene rules Bio Monitoring of co-workers 13 Externally: uses Corporate EHS responsibility Active cooperation in studies on possible adverse effects Member of the EU Nano-Interact consortium Specific Product stewardship policy Information to customers via product safety documents Participation in the regulatory debate Development of technology Particle synthesis Particle dispersion Characterisation 14 7

8 Synthesis Particle synthesis and development Particles or functional particles are developed in function of the application Functionality Quality Cost On the basis of this, a synthesis technology is developed, Umicore has developed a range of synthesis and production technologies for the development of nanomaterials Gas phase synthesis (evaporation + reaction + quenching) Mainly for oxide materials Precipitation techniques Milling techniques 16 8

9 Synthesis on nanoparticles Synthesis is done in function of the application Key issues are: Control over particle size Control over particle size distribution Control over oversized particles Control over surface chemistry Control over contamination Control over morphology 17 Dispersion technology 9

10 Dispersion technology Powder development and synthesis Dispersion and stabilisation Application compatibility 19 Dispersion technology De-agglomeration of particles: Apply the right amount of energy to obtain desired results Low Used to prepare pre-mixes De-agglomeration not optimal Examples: dissolver Intermediate Low solids loading De-agglomeration Examples: ultrasonication rotor-stator High High solids loading De-agglomeration and milling Examples: bead mills ball mills 20 10

11 Umicore NanoGrain, dispersion capabilities Dedicated pilot dispersion lab for nano-materials Focus on: Formulation and stabilization of nano-dispersions Application oriented (PSD, stability, compatibility, functionality) Examples: ZANO and Optisol 50 wt% in C12-15 alkylbenzoate Suitable for cosmetic applications NanoGrain CeO 2 30 wt% water-based for coatings Mean particle size 25 nm Fully compatible with customer s formulation 21 Characterisation 11

12 Characterization technology New and old technologies (for Umicore) are being applied in order to characterize the nanomaterials or the applications Particle size and particle size distribution XDC, CPS, DLS (XRD), FE SEM Surface properties (analysis) XPS, Z-potential, TEM, BET Morphology TEM, FE SEM (BET) Chemical analysis Traditional analytical techniques (ICP, ICPMS, GDMS, ) Surface analysis AFM Application analysis 23 Application area s 24 12

13 Recruitment profiles Umicore Belgium & Northern Europe Engineering/ Scientific Profiles Economics/ Finance/Admin Profiles Other Profiles Total Young graduate + 5 yrs experience Young graduate + 5 yrs experience Young graduate + 5 yrs experience Expat population Canada 2 USA 15 Belgium 4 France 4 Germany 17 Liechtenstein 5 Norway 3 Portugal 1 UK 1 China 12 India 3 Japan 3 Korea 2 Philippines1 Singapore 1 Thailand 1 Hong Kong3 Malaysia 1 Brasil 4 Argentina 1 South Africa 4 Australia 1 93 expats in 22 countries 13

14 Careers at Umicore All our vacancies are posted on Come and see us after the presentations - Yves Van Rompaey : Team Coach Fine Particles Technology at Umicore R&D (Olen) - Yves.VanRompaey@umicore.com - Stefaan Decaesstecker : Recruitment Manager HR Belgium/Northern-Europe Stefaan.Decaesstecker@umicore.com 27 QUESTIONS? Umicar Infinity, the solar powered car, sponsored by Umicore, which ended second in the 2007 World Solar Challenge, raced in Australia Introducing Umicore and its Nanotechnology Leuven, info session Master Nanoscience and Nanotechnology April 23rd