Westford-Based Reactive Innovations Wins $100K Grant

Westford-based Reactive Innovations was among four Massachusetts companies chosen from 21 small businesses nationwide selected by EPA to receive approximately $100,000 each to develop technologies that will help the environment and public health.

The other three companies were EnChem Engineering, Inc. of Newton, UltraCell Insulation of Newtonville, and Aspen Products Group of Marlborough.

The selected companies were among 21 small businesses in 14 states to receive a total of $2 million from EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research program to advance innovative products and research. Each year, EPA provides funds small businesses who compete in a two-phase process. In the first phase, small businesses can receive up to $100,000 for “proof of concept” of their technology. Those who are chosen can apply to receive up to $300,000 to develop and commercialize their technology in the second phase.

“This money gives small companies the ability to take their ideas and technology from the laboratory into the market place,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “Companies like Precision are helping create a stronger economy for New England at the same time they protect our health and our environment.”

Reactive Innovations received $99,999 to develop a greener way to produce dimethyl carbonate, an environmentally benign solvent used in manufacturing products ranging from batteries to plastics. With most production occurring in China, and a significant shortage of U.S. manufacturers, production methods have historically involved toxic and hazardous reagents while consuming large amounts of energy. The method being developed by Reactive Innovations will not only allow for US manufacturing, but will do so using an efficient reactor that minimizes energy and waste streams. Reactive is developing an electrochemical synthesis method that reacts carbon dioxide and methanol feedstocks using an ionic liquid electrolyte medium to generate the solvent. This reaction process is being applied in Reactive’s micro-channel electrochemical reactor that enables high production levels to be obtained continuously unlike present electrochemical methods.

More about EPA’s SBIR Program