Brochure
Precious Metal Recovery
Overview of PhosphonicS scavenger technology for recovering valuable metals from chemical process streams, including approaches that improve the economics of high-value metals such as rhodium.
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Supporting the Chemical Industry with Targeted Recovery Solutions
Our metal scavenging technology helps chemical manufacturers recover valuable metals from process streams where conventional technologies often struggle. This is particularly relevant for precious metals such as rhodium, where even trace losses can represent significant economic value. With Rh commanding a high market price, recovering it from process streams can significantly improve process economics, turning what would otherwise be lost value into a meaningful return on investment.
Alongside our scavenging technology, PhosphonicS also supplies solid-supported acid catalysts for chemical manufacturing. These immobilised catalysts offer the performance of traditional homogeneous acids while simplifying separation, reducing waste generation and enabling catalyst reuse.
Our scavengers maximise metal recovery from process liquid streams, delivering a quick return on investment and simple solutions to complex problems. The economic case is particularly strong for rhodium recovery. With Rh commanding a high market price, recovering it from process streams will significantly improve the overall economics of the operating, turning what would otherwise be lost value into meaningful return on investment.
Our acid catalyst products can be considered as an alternative to traditional homogeneous acids, with all the same chemical characteristics whilst also benefitting from all the advantages of an immobilised reagent. These clean, efficient catalysts can be used from lab to plant scale across a range of transformations including esterification, elimination, protection and deprotection, rearrangement, cyclisation and hydrolysis reactions.
Benefits
- Reduced operating costs, no additional washes required
- Lower waste disposal costs, reduced discharge minimises environmental impact
- No additional purification required, prevents formation of genotoxic by-product impurities associated with sulfonic acids
- Reduced overall production costs, catalysts can easily be recycled for reuse
Features
- Easy to handle, free flowing solid
- High acid strengths comparable to traditional acids
- High chemical and physical stability
- No pre-treatment required, no swelling
- Can be applied in either fixed-bed (continuous) or slurry (batch) mode
What Makes PhosphonicS Unique?
Patented Immobilised Reagent Technology
PhosphonicS uses patented technology for attaching powerful functionalities to a silica backbone. Our acid catalyst products have all the same chemical characteristics as traditional homogeneous acids, with all the advantages of an immobilised reagent.
Wide Range of Transformations
Our clean, efficient catalysts can be used from lab to plant scale across a range of transformations including esterification, elimination, protection and deprotection, rearrangement, cyclisation, and hydrolysis reactions.
Easy to Handle and Recyclable
Free flowing solid that requires no pre-treatment and no swelling. Can be applied in either fixed-bed (continuous) or slurry (batch) mode. Catalysts can easily be recycled for reuse, reducing overall production costs.
Full Scientific Support
All PhosphonicS scientists relish the opportunity to help you streamline your pharmaceutical or chemical processes. In-house screening, testing programmes, and full engineering support services are always available.
Relevant Products
Phos-Cat1
Ethyl/butyl phosphonic acid silica
Immobilised acid catalyst for use in esterification, elimination, protection and deprotection, rearrangement, cyclisation, and hydrolysis reactions.
Phos-Cat4
Alkyl sulfonic acid silica
Immobilised acid catalyst for pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing applications.
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Technical Details
Precious Metal Recovery
Technical performance data and application detail for precious metal recovery in chemical manufacturing process streams.
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