Hand sanitiser production gets university support

In a time of need University of Technology Sydney scientists are helping an Australian skin care company upscale its manufacture of hand sanitiser to prepare for large volume production.

The UTS based Deep Green Biotech Hub (DGBH) is working with local skin care company, Claralumen, to assist with larger scale production of an algae-based hand sanitiser. Currently Claralumen produces the sanitiser in 50 litre batches. The access to specialised facilities at UTS means the company can trial the production of 500 litre batches in a research space deep under the UTS Broadway campus, the Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF). 

Alex Thomson and Cat Fuller

UTS donates Biologics Innovation Facility to help Green Light Accelerator entrepreneur Cat Fuller upscale hand sanitiser production. Here with Dr Alex Thomson (L), Manager Deep Green Biotechch Hub Image. Credit: Jai F.

Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation

The DGBH was established in 2016 to support entrepreneurship and innovation and to create jobs based in the algae-based bioeconomy. It connects NSW based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, through an accelerator program, with expertise and mentorship to develop algae-based products and services.

Dr Alex Thomson, DGBH Manager, said that Claralumen was an ideal fit for the program because of the focus on Australian plant-based and vegan friendly sustainable ingredients including algae. 

“We have been able to support a range of startups and SME’s to develop innovative future-facing products using algae. Algae has a range of applications, skin care being a fantastic one. 

“It is especially satisfying to be able to help the company test the production of their hand sanitiser on a larger scale at a time of great need. 

“It also demonstrates how university expertise can be activated quickly for a highly practical purpose. The UTS Biologics Innovation facility contains state-of-the-art processing equipment to up-skill and scale-up bioprocessing projects for industry and research community,” Dr Thomson said.

Continue reading at UTS Newsroom: Hand sanitiser production gets university support

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