University of Glasgow Receives Funding to Investigate Sustainability of Flash Chromatography Purification Technique

University of Glasgow Receives Funding to Investigate Sustainability of Flash Chromatography Purification Technique

(IN BRIEF) University of Glasgow researchers, Dr. Joseph Cameron and Dr. Alex Loch, will lead a study to assess and improve the sustainability of flash chromatography, a widely used chemical purification technique. Funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable Laboratories Grant programme, the project aims to identify more sustainable practices, focusing on the reusability of chromatography columns and the lifecycle of chromatography instruments. The findings could significantly impact both academic and industrial laboratories, advancing sustainability in chemistry.

(PRESS RELEASE) GLASGOW, 28-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at the University of Glasgow are set to investigate and improve the sustainability of flash chromatography, one of the most widely used purification techniques in chemistry. Backed by a grant from the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable Laboratories Grant programme, the project will be led by Dr. Joseph Cameron and Dr. Alex Loch, who will conduct the first comprehensive life cycle assessment of this critical technique.

Flash chromatography is used across synthetic chemistry to purify chemicals, but it is known to be resource-intensive in terms of materials. Despite its global use, there is surprisingly little information about the sustainability impacts of different chromatography approaches. The outcomes of this research will provide essential data that could lead to more sustainable practices in both academic and industrial laboratories.

Dr. Cameron, a research associate in the James Watt School of Engineering, explained, “Flash chromatography is essential for purifying chemicals, but it uses significant resources. There is limited data on the sustainability impacts of the different methods employed, and our research could have significant implications for making the process more environmentally friendly.”

The research will focus on the reusability of chromatography columns, comparing different types of columns to assess how many times they can be effectively reused across various chemical applications. In addition, the team will examine the lifecycle of chromatography instruments, including the end-of-life handling of equipment, and explore how valuable components, such as metals and critical materials, can be reused or recycled.

Dr. Loch, a UK Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Chemistry, added, “While industry has driven sustainability initiatives in chemical processes due to their environmental impacts and net-zero targets, this is the first project to examine flash chromatography with such a broad focus. We hope this project will establish our model and reputation in this field, paving the way for future industry collaborations.”

The research will also involve an undergraduate student from the School of Chemistry, who will assist with the experimental work, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to sustainability efforts in chemistry.

This project is one of 25 initiatives funded in the second round of the RSC’s Sustainable Laboratories Grant programme. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has provided more than £500,000 in funding to researchers across three continents.

Professor Helen Sneddon, Director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York and chair of the Sustainable Laboratories Grants Decision Panel, stated, “The range of innovative projects and the global coverage of this year’s applications shows that sustainability remains a top priority in laboratory settings, with numerous ways to transform laboratory practices.”

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SOURCE: University of Glasgow