More with Less
An Introduction to Revolution Fibres
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Based in West Auckland, NZ
Nanofibre Production:
– Design
superior nanofibre products
– Manufacture specialised runs
to industrial scale
– Deliver revolutionary products
to multiple markets
Design
…… functional nanofibre
Develop
……. Superior products
Manufacture
……. Specialised to Industrial scale
Commercialise
……. innovation
Delivering Superior Products
NZ Innovation Awards: Innovation in
Manufacturing and Supreme Winner
Extraordinary Nanofibres
Van der Waals
forces
Negligible weight &
Thickness
Attractive forces at the
molecular level
Compared to traditional
materials, nanofibres weigh
virtually nothing.
Non-woven
Porous structure
Fibres are created to form a
non-woven web of nanofibres
A Nanofibre web consists
mostly of air
Continuous fibre
Platform
Technology
Small in diameter, long in
length
A platform to launch new
functionality in materials
Electrospinning: The Enabling Technology
Applications
Properties:
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High Surface area
Strength
Carrier
Stability
Natural
Electrospinning
Materials:
 Synthetic polymers:
• PVA, PA6,
 Biopolymers
• Collagen
 Additives
• Plant extracts
• Drug compounds
A multitude of commercial applications
The Missing Link?
Technology
Industry
 Amazing innovation,
 Lab scale
 Low/no scale up
available
 Not concerned with
markets and
customers
 Market focused
 Looking for competitive
advantage
 Only wants tangible
“here and now”
 Not keen on long R&D
commitments
???
The Delivery: Industrial Scale Production
2012
Sonic Electrospinning Technology
2011
Sonic Electrospinning Technology
2009
ES1-A
 0.1 grams/hour
Pilot: The Chameleon
 100 grams/hour
 Control and adjust 20+
variables
 1000mm wide capable
Production: The Komodo
 800 grams/hour
 Fully enclosed
 2000mm wide capable
 Variable substrates and multiple layers
 Additional ES units to increase
production
Winner of NZ Engineering
Excellence Award 2012
The Transfer of Nanofibre Technology into Products
Materials
Electrospinning
Products
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The next generation of skin care
Skin performance and skin repair
dressings
Collagen fibre carrying specifically
formulated plant extracts known for skin
rejuvenation and cell growth
Nanofibre Air Filters
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High efficiency filtration
Unique, biodegradable air filters
Manuka-infused antibacterial fibres
In 120,000 New Zealand homes
Opportunities in Biotech
From “Advanced Healthcare Materials 2012”:
“Electrospinning is a remarkably simple, robust, and versatile technique
capable of generating fibers with diameters down to the nanoscale.
A non-woven mat of electrospun nanofibres possesses high porosity
and spatial interconnectivity well-suited for nutrient and waste transport
and cell communication.
A scaffold based on electrospun nanofibers also has a large specific
surface area for loading of bioactive molecules to facilitate efficient and
selective cellular responses.
Electrospinning has been applied to more than 100 different types of
polymers.
Naturally occurring matrix proteins including collagen, elastin, and
fibrinogen and synthetic polymers such as poly( ε - caprolactone) (PCL)
and poly(lactic- co -glycolic) acid (PLGA) can all be prepared as
nanofibers by electrospinning.”
Unique Opportunities for NZ in
Biotech
• Multitude of uses for nanofibre in biotech – many well researched
and in need of commercialization
• Nanofibres very similar to structures in the body – from skin to
cellular scaffolds
• Revolution Fibres: One of few nanofibre producers with industrial
scale manufacturing capabilities and product development services
• A good country to innovate and trial unique treatments
• Good supporting research infrastructure – IIB, Auckland Uni, etc.
• A unique opportunity for NZ to embrace and champion a platform
technology in the biotech space – generate new IP and new
healthcare products.
• Required: innovators, sector leaders, manufacturing partner,
routes to market
Current technology platforms in NZ
• A family of polyaniline related polymers
• Thermally stable
• Supports growth of mammalian cells
• Anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-static, barrier
properties, etc.
• Conductive – capable of picking up and
transferring signals across the fabric
• Useful for wound dressings, tissue / bone
scaffolds
Current technology platforms in NZ
• Chitosan – sourced from squid pen
• Naturally antibacterial – proven to work against
dermatological infections
• Proof of concept work with Otago University
• Collagen – sourced from hoki
• Readily absorbable in water and on skin
• Excellent carrier of active ingredients (drug
compounds, bioactives, etc)
Areas of interest?
• Tissue regeneration: Skin repair, tendon-bone connection,
bone/tendon/ligament repair, skin substitutes
• Encapsulation of drugs, antioxidants and enzymes: Known benefits
of extending shelf-life, targeted release
• Controlled release: Topical skin applications, alternatives to pills
ointments and injections (repeated doses)
• Oral / epidermal fast-dissolving delivery systems
• Biodegradable carrier systems for plant / human / animal protection
products: Continual release, slow-release, encapsulation, weather
resistant
Address: 9a Corban Ave, Henderson,
Auckland, New Zealand
Email
enquiries@revolutionfibres.com
Phone: 09 835 4805
Website: www.revolutionfibres.com