The University of Queensland's technology transfer company UniQuest Limited has signed an agreement with a high-tech German company for a $1.5 million, two-year glass R & D program.
The project with the Organotin Chemie GmbH company based in Bitterfeld, Germany, aims to extend the use of glass as a viable economic alternative to plastic, particularly in flat and container glass production.
It also targets increased safety for consumers, by coating glass to minimise problems such as exploding containers.
Organotin managing director, Roy Joseph, and head of the company's marketing production and R & D, Dr Rudiger Newe, recently visited the University to conclude the agreement.
'We selected the best team to do the work, regardless of its geographical position,' Mr Joseph said.
'We formed a favourable impression of the University and negotiations were fruitful.'
Organotin manufactures tin-based organometallic compounds used in glass, plastics and pharmaceutical industries. Its customer base includes the world's largest glass companies, Pilkington UK, and St Gobain, including ACI.
UniQuest Limited General Manager (Operations) Ian Crebbin said UniQuest and the University of Queensland's Glass Centre had been chosen to undertake the program in preference to major European universities and research institutions.
'This project could be considered as one of the most important independent glass research programs currently being undertaken in Australia,' he said.
'As part of the evaluation program, one of the most advanced glass coating installations has been initiated at the University, with design and preliminary fabrication already underway.'
Organotin products are used to coat both flat and container glass. Organic tin compounds such as mono butyl tin trichloride are delivered to hot glass surfaces by a process known in the industry as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD).
In the flat glass industry, tin oxide coatings are produced by bringing vaporised tin compounds into contact with hot glass surfaces during the final stages of sheet glass manufacture.
Tin oxide provides architectural glass with an infrared reflecting coating that significantly reduces uncomfortable solar heat build-up within glazed coatings.
In the containerware industry, hot moulded products such as soft drink and beer bottles are CVD coated with a layer of tin oxide to protect them from contact abrasion and impact.
Head of the University's Glass Centre Ray Gannon said in addition to its scientific and technical expertise in glass, the University was able to offer Organotin the ability to monitor progress closely through state-of-the-art computer links. Information will be exchanged in real time using video transmission via the World Wide Web.
'When Organotin is faced with a problem, such as a contaminant from a water supply, we will duplicate the problem at the University and work to develop a solution,' he said.
'We think this is a very good model of University-industry co-operation to solve problems of mutual concern.'
For further information, contact Mr Crebbin or Mr Gannon at UniQuest telephone 07 3365 4016 or Mr Joseph in Munich (49) 089 577383.
