The ETERNAL project made a significant impact at the recent EuroMembrane 2024 conference held in Prague, Czechia. Our talented team members from AstraZeneca, Dr. Yanyue Feng and Dr. Hui Xiao, proudly represented the project at Europe's largest membranes conference which attracts nearly 1000 attendees, sharing key research results emerging from ETERNAL's case study in the use of membranes for valuable materials recovery and solvent purification in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Oral Presentation and Session Chair by Hui Xiao

Hui delivered an impactful oral presentation on "Homogenous palladium catalyst recovery and reuse using organic solvent nanofiltration," as part of the ETERNAL project. This presentation showcased a successful case study of the use of organic solvent nanofiltration membrane for the recovery and reuse of homogeneous palladium catalysts in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Through catalyst recovery and reuse, this process can significantly reduce the precious metal cost and carbon footprint. This work highlights AZ’s commitment to advancing sustainable technologies under the ETERNAL initiative.

The presentation was well-received, generating valuable feedback and engaging discussions. Hui was also honoured to chair a session on organic solvent nanofiltration, facilitating insightful discussions among leading experts in the field.

Poster Presentation by Yangyue Feng

Yanyue represented the ETERNAL project with a compelling poster presentation on "Solvent exchange by application of membranes in the synthesis of AZD4625 – Inline monitoring by infrared (IR) spectroscopy". By implementing inline IR, the real-time solvent composition could be determined, and the process could be stopped at the desired point, which makes the solvent exchange process more time and energy efficient.

The poster session provided an excellent platform for sharing detailed research findings and engaging one-on-one with fellow researchers and industry professionals. Yanyue received positive feedback and had the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations and innovative ideas.

Building Connections

The conference was also a valuable networking opportunity. Both Hui and Yanyue built connections with industry partners, including leading membrane companies such as Evonik and Borsig. Additionally, they engaged in discussions with academic peers, exploring potential future collaborations that could drive further innovation within the ETERNAL project.

Looking Ahead

The ETERNAL project remains committed to advancing membrane technology and sustainability. Our participation in EuroMembrane 2024 underscores our dedication to research excellence and collaborative growth. We look forward to leveraging the insights and connections gained from this conference to drive future projects and innovations.