CIRCE NEWS / LATEST EVENTS

The next meeting of the West Yorkshire Responsible Care Cell will take place on Wednesday 19 October at CIRCE Ltd, Wheldon Road, Castleford.

The business meeting for members will start at 0915. Speakers, guests and regulators are invited to join the meeting at the 10.30 coffee break. The meeting is expected to end around 1 pm with a buffet lunch.

This HAZOP course aims to impart a thorough understanding of the principles and methodology of HAZOP study and its practical application.

Awareness of the key features which determine the effectiveness of HAZOP study in exposing relevant Hazards and operability problems.

Understanding of the role and importance of recording in HAZOP studies including the use of appropriate computer recording packages.

Behavioural safety is fast becoming the number 1 priority for industry today. The majority of industrial incidents are caused by human error. This four-day course concentrates on how human error and behaviour affect the design and running of industrial processes.

Designed for people employed in industry, it is of particular interest for those with responsibility for safety. It is also suitable for people involved in risk assessment, managers, safety professionals, shift supervisors, process engineers, and process chemists. Download Course Outline

A workshop to explore the benefits provided by four 'leading edge' technologies and processes - Mass Customisation and Rapid Manufacturing, Design for Manufacture and Assembly, Product Data Engineering and Manufacturing Automation. Presentations on these will be given by leading academic speakers from the Universities of Leeds and Hull together with advice on practical ways to support their introduction into your company.

HAZOP STUDY For Team Leaders and Team Members
** 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2005 **
IChemE Accredited

Course Director: Dr Brian Tyler, S&T Consultants

This HAZOP course aims to impart a thorough understanding of the principles and methodology of HAZOP study and its practical application.

Awareness of the key features which determine the effectiveness of HAZOP study in exposing relevant Hazards and operability problems.

Understanding of the role and importance of recording in HAZOP studies including the use of appropriate computer recording packages.

For booking enquiries please contact Karen McAvoy (karen@circe.co.uk) delegates from within West Yorkshire may receive funding support through our Skills Broker programme.

Venue: CIRCE, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 2JT. Tel: 01977 712712

Emerging Environmental Technologies for the Specialised Organic Chemicals Sector 24 May 2005 National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield

SOCSA is organising this full-day event, in association with IChemE, for the special price of Ł149 + Vat (members) and Ł199 + Vat (non-members).

Notable speakers from academia and industry will discuss cutting edge technologies, such as Supercritical Water, Microencapsulated Palladium Catalysts, Nano-Filtration, and Ionic Liquids. If you are a technical or business manager in the fine and speciality chemicals sector, interested in learning how you could improve your business productivity through the application of emerging technologies, you should attend. Engineers, scientists and academics will also benefit from attending, to learn about the latest technology developments.

To secure places for you and your colleagues, please complete and return a booking form - available from our website:
http://www.cia.org.uk/newsite/events/ETC2005.htm DOWNLOAD FLYER

This is a FREE event providing you with a great way to learn how innovative manufacturing techniques can enable improved productivity, agility and responsiveness. Event Date: 24th November 2004

An afternoon seminar designed to increase awareness of process safety requirements for process operatives / development chemists with little or no knowledge of the subject. This will cover the legislative requirements, scale-up hazards and outline the techniques available for determining data. The programme will feature speakers from the HSE plus the private sector, combining theory with actual incidents.

12 45               Buffet lunch / Registration
13 30               Welcome / Introduction
13 35               Regulatory requirements
14 00               Process Safety overview
14 30               Powder explosion risks
15 00               Interval
15 15               Screening tests / Reaction calorimetry
15 45               Runaway Chemistry
16 00               CIRCE facilities
16 15               General questions
16 30               Close

We expect this seminar to be extremely popular, and recommend booking early to reserve your place.
Please contact: David Perkins to reserve places david@circe.co.uk, T: 01977 712712

At least 50% grant support is available on manufacturing projects costing up to Ł10,000 for eligible companies. This funding is available to help with any development that will improve manufacturing performance, and can be used for expert advice and assistance to implement change.

As this offer is limited both in time and numbers, an immediate application is strongly encouraged. To confirm that your business qualifies for this special grant, please contact CIRCE Ltd. (Your business must have a manufacturing operation in an ERDF Objective 2 area of Yorkshire or The Humber and meet the EU definition of a Small or Medium Enterprise.)

To apply, or to obtain more information, please contact David Perkins at CIRCE immediately: david@circe.co.uk
Deadline for project applications: DEADLINE EXTENDED (Apply earlier to increase your chance of funding availability)
Project completion: 2 February 2005

CIRCE is inviting proposals for a range of training services to businesses in the Chemical and Bioscience Cluster.

We are now looking to recruit training providers that provide Training services specifically aimed at the Chemicals or Bioscience Industries. Training providers are required who can deliver in one or more of the following areas:

>Specific Sectoral Skills
>Strategic Management
>Management & Leadership
>Graduate retention
>Entrepreneurship
>Creativity

Please submit your expression of interest by October 30 2004
CONTACT: Karen McAvoy karen@circe.co.uk or Tel: 01977 712712

This one day workshop is designed for Managers, Supervisors and Health & Safety personnel who have responsibilities for the safe use of gases within the workplace.

The workshop provides an insight into commonplace unsafe behaviours, and practical solutions for their elimination.

Documentation is provided to facilitate safety audits and checks to be undertaken within the workplace, enabling compliance with Codes of Practice and legislation.

FEES
The fee per delegate is Ł150 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION.

DATES AND TIMINGS
The course will commence at 9.30 am and conclude at 4.30 pm on the 14th October 2004.

The majority of companies are aware of their legal obligations to have an emergency plan, to train personnel in the operation of this plan and to test it regularly to validate its effectiveness.

This one-day course will provide delegates with an effective organisational structure to manage a crisis and suggest methods to test develop and assess the effectiveness of their emergency plans. FULL COURSE OUTLINE

FEES
The fee per delegate is Ł125.00 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and course notes.

DATES AND TIMINGS
The course will commence at 9.30 am and conclude at 4.30 pm on the 30th September 2004.

CIRCE are hosting a COSHH workshop next month, the one-day programme is tailored to those involved in risk assessments within the working environment. The course will include practical examples drawing upon the trainer's own experience and will be suitable for those with no previous knowledge, as well as individuals looking to update their current understanding.

FEES
The fee per delegate is Ł140 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and course notes.

DATES AND TIMINGS
The course will commence at 9.00 am and conclude at 5.00 pm on the 1st September 2004.

An opportunity to get up to date with changes in IPPC legislation. Are you coming up to your PPC application? Confused by changes in IPPC regulations? Would you like the latest information and guidance? And would like to hear what its really like to make an application?

If you would like further information on this Workshop you may view the Course Outline here: IPPC Workshop.

CIRCE is looking to recruit a talented individual who can manage and deliver a Training & Skills development project to Chemical and Bioscience Companies within the West Yorkshire sub region. This LSC funded contract will allow CIRCE to fund suitable Training courses at up to 70%.

The position of 'Skills Broker Manager' is a full time position based at CIRCE in Castleford, initially on a fixed term contract to March 2006. Salary will be in the region of Ł30K. This position is available to start immediately. You can submit your Application in confidence or request further information by contacting Steve Napier, Chief Executive, Tel. 01977 712712 or steve@circe.co.uk. A Job Description can be downloaded here Job Description (PDF)

These valuable Industrial Support awards are aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at SMEs in the specialised organic chemicals sector.

The Awards enable companies to undertake research projects of their choosing with a UK university of their choice with ~75% funding support from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The latest date for taking up one of these awards is 31 March 2005.

Each student will attract Ł48,257, payable to the university. In addition, EPSRC expects a monetary contribution for the student of at least one third the funding they provide. Such a contribution should be via the university and may be for the income of the student or the costs of the project.

An international German based major chemical manufacturer traditionally sourced an important pharmaceutical intermediate from a British manufacturer in small quantities, albeit at a low quality specification. A Yorkshire manufacturer (one of CIRCE's Incubation Companies!) was alerted to this potential sales opportunity, but was unable to manufacture the product using a satisfactory process. This query was referred to CIRCE via the regional Manufacturing Advisory Service. Using a CIRCE consultant’s expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, the company was able to have free research carried out, funded by the MAS programme. A novel route to synthesis was located and the process adapted to be suitable for the requisite manufacturing scale. The product was successfully manufactured during the second half of 2003, bringing in the company Ł30,000 of business to date, with similar orders secured against this product.

The local MD stated that “without the involvement of MAS, this important order would have been lost. The expertise and customer focus shown by Dr John Stanford, of CIRCE, were invaluable in achieving a successful outcome”.

CIRCE will be running an Integrated Crisis Management training course on the 24 March 2004 .

Most companies are aware of their legal obligations to have an emergency plan, to train personnel in the operation of this plan and to test it regularly to validate its effectiveness.

This one day course will provide delegates with a proven template to develop and assess the effectiveness of their emergency plans. A course outline is available HERE

The Chemtrepreneur Programme created by CIRCE is a unique programme for budding Chemical entrepreneurs.

Chemtrepreneur is a short, sharp programme delivering business skills and insight into how to be a successful entrepreneur.

The next and potentially final run of this Programme is in February 2004, the course has been made possible through funding from Yorkshire Forward and is supported by the RSC. For more information or to reserve a place visit: www.chemtrepreneur.com or email steve@circe.co.uk

Emerging Technologies Seminar

In the latter half of 2003, CIRCE and Faraday co-hosted a successful seminar at CIRCE that demonstrated the advantages of emerging technologies for manufacturing companies.

Amongst the range of topics covered were supercritical fluids, ionic solvents and nanotechnology, with speakers from academia and industry bringing their full wealth of knowledge and experience to bear in a thought-provoking and stimulating session.

Previous seminars held at CIRCE have covered topics such as IPPC, process filtration and dust explosion.

CIRCE has been successful in its tender to deliver a Skills Brokerage service for the West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC). As the Broker for Chemicals and Bioscience, CIRCE will be able to lever substantial grant funding to reduce the cost of training and skills activity for West Yorkshire companies.

CIRCE selected as Approved Agency for the Regional Manufacturing Advisory Service

Goldfinch Laboratories started in business just one year ago in CIRCE's facilities. They have grown in staff and are currently looking for one more recruit.

In April 2002 they took on their second laboratory to facilitate their expansion.

On the 1st July 2001 CIRCE took ownership of SORIS, the unique membership information service for the Chemicals industry. SORIS has built an unrivalled reputation over 20 years and from 1st July become part of CIRCE.

SORIS offers it subscription members; business opportunities, market intelligence and confidential support in all manner of ways. SORIS is THE Chemical Network offering its members 'eyes and ears' in the Chemical sector.

Aardvark will supply its products to research and development departments of pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies worldwide.

CIRCE Chief Executive, Steve Napier said “Aardvark is an ideal first client for CIRCE, as it is manufacturing high value chemicals at up to Ł10,000 per kilo and has high potential for growth and creating new jobs. CIRCE has been involved from the early stages in helping this company move to the position where it can launch the business.

At CIRCE, Aardvark will now benefit from affordable rental of a purpose built Unit within a supportive environment in which to grow the business.”

FEES The fee per delegate is Ł150 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION.

DATES AND TIMINGS The course will commence at 9.30 am and conclude at 4.30 pm on the 14th October 2004.

FEES The fee per delegate is Ł125.00 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and course notes.

DATES AND TIMINGS The course will commence at 9.30 am and conclude at 4.30 pm on the 30th September 2004.

FEES The fee per delegate is Ł140 + VAT. This includes lunch and refreshments and course notes.

DATES AND TIMINGS The course will commence at 9.00 am and conclude at 5.00 pm on the 1st September 2004.