University spin-out secures €1.2m funding 

30 September 2015

A Queen's spin out company – MOF Technologies – has announced the receipt of €1.2m European Horizon 2020 funding to expand its UK manufacturing base and scale up production of novel clean technology-enabling nanomaterials known as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs).

Established in August 2012 by QUBIS Ltd in partnership with NetScientific and Professor Stuart James (pictured left), MOF Technologies was founded in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s. The company specialises in solutions for gas storage and capture without solvents.

This latest success builds on MOF Technologies’ recently announced collaborations with IBM and General Motors in the commercialisation of MOFs to transform a range of clean tech applications.

MOF Technologies is based around a core technology developed over the past decade by Professor Stuart James, Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at Queen’s. The company’s patent-protected technique provides an environmentally friendly, low-cost method for the manufacture of metal organic framework (MOF) materials, which have a number of high-value applications. These include applications as heat adsorbents in heat pumps, in gas storage (particularly for natural gas in vehicular transport), and in carbon capture and gas and liquid filtration.

Dr Paschal McCloskey (pictured right), CEO of MOF Technologies, said: “MOF Technologies views this success in securing funding from Horizon 2020 as verification of our plans to scale up our innovative production process. This ensures the ongoing growth of our company to deliver the full commercial potential of MOFs in the clean tech and other industry sectors.”

The funding is part of a European Horizon 2020 project which includes partners such as Johnson Matthey and GDF Suez. The project itself, named ProDIA, received support totalling €7.6m and focuses on the production of nanoporous materials for clean technology applications in the fields of gas storage, air purification and heat pumps. MOF Technologies is the largest recipient of the funding within project ProDIA, and is one of only a handful of companies to receive such a significant level of support via Horizon 2020.

Dr Pat McComiskey, Investment Manager at QUBIS Ltd, said: “MOF Technologies are one of only three local companies who have secured this funding and it will enable the company to accelerate its growth plans.”

QUBIS Ltd was established in 1984 by Queen’s to commercialise the University’s research and development activities through the formation of spin-out businesses.

Through this collaboration, MOF Technologies will scale up its proprietary manufacturing process to enable them to supply industrial scale applications. Bucking the current trend of off-shoring, it will grow its manufacturing base in Belfast, with new facilities scheduled to open in early in 2016.

Media enquiries to Una Bradley or to Queen's Communications Office.

 

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