Customer-Centric Solutions
At Italmatch Chemicals, our tailored Research & Development is driven by a customer-centric approach and deep technical expertise.
We specialize in developing solutions to even the most demanding challenges, precisely aligning our technologies with real-world requirements and acting as a strategic partner to develop bespoke products.
Our R&D department is well equipped to carry out chemical synthesis safely and efficiently. Starting from standard esterification and alkylation reactions to radical polymerisation or thermal processes with a deep knowhow in P chemistry. We are also equipped with autoclave for liquid-gas reactions, with parallel reactors and flow chemistry unit to efficiently carry out reactions screening. Furthermore, within our laboratory facilities we support also our industrialisation phases with the use of our Reaction Calorimeter (RC1) unit.
New and existing products can be fully analysed, including (and not limited to) GPC, HPLC and GC, flash point and pour point, viscosities, standard and selective titrations, FT-IR, ICP and NMR analyses (both with benchtop equipment and with a 400 MHz multiprobe NMR).
In lubricant sector, basic performance tests are represented by 4 ball tester, foam tests and Stribeck curve, to support development that goes from renewable sector (including lubrication of wind turbine) to electrification.
We have a range of tribological testing capabilities across the industrial lubricant range, from MWF to hydraulic, gear and turbine. Physiochemical testing to characterize our products (XRF, KV, PMCC…) are used alongside EP and AW performance testing (4-ball, Falex, RTEC…) and more specialised tests in the MWF (tapping torque, Reichert…) and Grease (dropping point, penetration…) to aid development of the next generation of products whilst supporting the customer requirements of the current product range.
In the Advanced Water Solutions sector, simulation of industrial processes and scale inhibitions phenomenon are studied both in static and dynamic fashion with the latest being critical for Geothermal Oil&Gas, Pulp&Paper, sectors. Studies with Dynamic Scale loop at HP/HT, kinetic turbidity/nucleation, amorphous silica depositions on Flat sheet membrane modules are supporting the development of new performance additives.
Additional technical activities include the analytical support and organic/inorganic scale characterization. This is also part of the RO membranes autopsies services dedicated to support our customers with troubleshooting and identification of solutions.
Lastly, performance testing dedicated to the primary mining and or battery refining sectors encompass simulation of solvent extraction processes for the recovery of critical elements such as valuable base metals and Rare Earth. Simulation of mixer-settler used in batch or continuous processes allows us to select and optimise the use of key specialties i.e proprietary phosphorus based extractants. Platinum Group Metal refining is addressed by testing Solid/liquid separations using proprietary phosphine-oxide ligand-bearing resins.
Resources and case studies
Advanced Water Solutions
Dequest® FS2143: Increased efficiency for Phosphoric Acid production
A phosphoric acid producer using the wet process faced filtration bottlenecks due to high solid phospho gypsum slurry. By introducing Dequest® FS2143, a filter aid additive with strong absorbability and bridge control action, the plant improved filtration performance and overall process efficiency.
Advanced Water Solutions
Dequest® FS2124: Corrosion inhibitor for calcium chloride road Anti-Icing/Deicing
Calcium chloride brines are widely used for anti icing applications but can accelerate corrosion on metal structures and vehicles. Dequest® FS2124, a novel corrosion inhibitor, offers high brine stability and provides exceptional corrosion protection.
Dequest® FS9518: A new approach to Peroxide stabilization in BCTMP mills
A BCTMP mill was seeking a peroxide stabilization solution capable of reducing overall treatment costs while maintaining high brightness and avoiding side effects which could affect pulp production. Dequest® FS9518 was specifically developed to provide high stabilization at lower dose rates, while maintaining the efficiency of the pulp manufacturing process.
Advanced Water Solutions
Geogard® HCA: High Temperature Calcite Scale Inhibitor for Geothermal Applications (case study 1)
High temperature downhole conditions can reduce the effectiveness of standard calcite scale inhibitors and lead to compatibility or corrosion issues. Geogard® HCA enables more efficient scale control thanks to its high thermal stability and excellent calcite inhibition performance.
Advanced Water Solutions
Geogard® HCA: High Temperature Calcite Scale Inhibitor for Geothermal Applications (case study 2)
High downhole temperatures can compromise the thermal stability of standard scale inhibitors, leading to degradation, corrosion by products and deposition issues at the injection point. Switching to Geogard® HCA effectively addressed calcite scale formation while eliminating the corrosion and incompatibility problems previously encountered.
Advanced Water Solutions
Geogard® CA improves process efficiency while reducing costs 90%
A geothermal power field affected by calcium carbonate scaling in its steam wells faces costly downtime due to frequent mechanical cleanings. With the adoption of the Geogard® CA scale inhibition system, the site can maintain continuous operation and eliminate shutdowns for cleaning.
Advanced Water Solutions
Geogard® SX offers greater than 70% inhibition efficiency in cold reinjection lines
By applying Geogard® SX, operators effectively control silica scaling, achieving higher flow output, longer productive cycles, fewer acid cleaning interventions, and improved overall operational efficiency and safety while significantly reducing costs.
Advanced Water Solutions
Geogard® SX reduces silica for a hot injection system, reducing cost by 80%
Geogard® SX enables reliable silica scale control in geothermal production wells, significantly lowering operating costs. With over a decade of operational data, it supports sustained flow output, longer productive periods and the elimination of unplanned outages due to silica scale.
Advanced Water Solutions
Ionquest® 479: Scale inhibitor to control CaSO4 and other complex scales typically formed under gold cyanide leach conditions
While already using a competitor scale inhibitor in their heap leach system, the client continued to experience severe scale formation requiring frequent shutdowns for cleaning and maintenance which are both time consuming and expensive. By introducing Ionquest® 479 we were able to achieve a 64% improvement in equipment replacement resulting in significantly less downtime, increased throughput, and lower maintenance cost.
Advanced Water Solutions
Ionquest® 353: Scale inhibitor to control CaCO3 and other complex scales typically formed under gold cyanide leach conditions
The client was facing severe scale deposition issues throughout the heap leach process, not allowing them to achieve the target maintenance frequency and costs. Lab trials showed none of the available products could meet the target 70% inhibition efficiency and/or the budgeted treatment cost. Ionquest® 353 was able to significantly improve plant performance with inhibition efficiency up to 85% and provided the client the option to run at target maintenance frequency or reduce the frequency against a slightly higher cost.
Advanced Water Solutions
Flocon® 651: High performance scale inhibitor designed to prevent scale formation under extreme calcium sulphate saturation levels
A WWRO system to treat the wastewater coming from mining processes was designed to run at a recovery of 72%. However water availability and demand by the mining processes significantly impacted the actual quality and variability of the RO feedwater. Mainly the extreme calcium sulphate saturation levels resulted in frequent shutdowns for cleaning and membrane replacements. Flocon® 651 was successfully introduced to operate the plant at maximum capacity even under the worst RO feedwater conditions.
Energy
Environmentally Friendly low dosage hydrates inhibitors and methanol: advantages and disadvantages
In oil and gas operations, the formation of gas hydrates can pose serious operational and safety challenges. Traditionally, thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors were the standard choice in regions such as Norway due to the lack of suitable alternatives. This case highlights the introduction of a new generation of readily biodegradable anti-agglomerant chemistry developed by Italmatch Chemicals and approved for use in Norway, opening the way to safer and more sustainable operations.
Energy
ECO GAA007B: innovative hydrate management in pipeline applications
This case study presents field trial results of ECO GAA007B, environmentally friendly, readily biodegradable and high performing anti agglomerant
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