More opportunities for plastics that improve quality of life
Technology developer and manufacturer Demcon has acquired Hengelo-based QL Polymers, a specialist in polymer chemistry, technology and processing. Founder Joost Duvigneau will remain involved as a minority shareholder and managing director of Demcon QL Polymers. The company is committed to “Quality for Life” with plastics that have the potential to improve the quality of life and believes that being part of Demcon will increase its impact by providing access to larger projects and enabling it to develop advanced processing plants. Demcon, in turn, can benefit from QL Polymers’ expertise in polymers, including in projects for sustainable process technology, recycling and medical applications.
Joost Duvigneau studied chemical engineering at the University of Twente (UT), where he also received his doctorate in polymer chemistry and technology. As a researcher, his interests included reactions of functional molecules to surfaces and how plastics interact with the human body, especially in the context of regulated drug delivery. After being involved in several UT spin-offs as an entrepreneur, he founded QL Polymers in 2021. “We are committed to ‘Quality for Life’ by applying polymer chemistry, technology and processing to materials that can improve the quality of life.” Examples include a material that makes dentures more comfortable and a biodegradable material for BioNeedle Drug Delivery’s ready-to-use injection needles. Duvigneau is still affiliated with the UT, where he works as an Assistant Professor of sustainable polymer technology one day a week, and his company uses various lab facilities there.
Degradable BioNeedles
Duvigneau first encountered technology developer and manufacturer Demcon as part of his work for Leiden-based BioNeedle Drug Delivery. BioNeedle has developed a new injection method based on ready-to-use needles made of biodegradable material that are used to easily, efficiently, quickly and safely inject medication or vaccines. Demcon serves as BioNeedle’s development and manufacturing partner and has built a production line for the needles in Enschede. QL Polymers, meanwhile, is contributing to the development of the biodegradable material.
Sustainable Process Technology
Thus came Jan Leideman, new business development manager at Demcon, into contact with QL Polymers. Leideman: “Demcon is an expert in a great many disciplines, but we often ran aground when it came to materials science, especially polymers. For me, the benefits of having Demcon and QL Polymers join forces are clear as day.” These benefits are closely tied to the majority stake Demcon took two years ago in Suster, a specialist in sustainable process technology. Suster, a UT spin-off specializing in chemistry and process technology, is helping to green the process industry through research and development. “QL Polymers can leverage its knowhow of materials science in projects of Demcon suster and other Demcon companies. At the same time, our other subsidiaries can also support QL Polymers in developing advanced processing plants and the further optimization of polymer production processes.”
Crystal-clear synergies
QL Polymers, along with Demcon suster and others, is now part of Demcon energy, climate & resources, a division dedicated to sustainable process and energy technology headquartered at the Technology Base, the site of the former Twente Airport. Leideman: “Aggregating all these companies whose activities and permit requirements are quite close together in the same place will unlock countless benefits. They stand to gain a lot from each other, and their close proximity greatly increases the odds of new business emerging.” Duvigneau agrees: “The synergies are crystal clear. While we are no experts in selecting and developing the right equipment, our soon-to-be neighbors are. At the same time, we can leverage our materials expertise to advance their projects.”
Entrepreneurial character
QL Polymers can also advise other Demcon subsidiaries, e.g. on the properties of materials used in a particular machine or plant. “Take functional properties, for example, or wear & tear and thermal expansion.” Briefly put, Duvigneau is all set to hit the ground running and add value to Demcon’s projects. The fact that he is set to lose exclusive ownership of QL Polymers after the acquisition does not weigh heavily on his mind. On the contrary. “I may be sacrificing autonomy as a business owner on paper, but in practice I can tap into my entrepreneurial side more than ever before, with Demcon taking all sorts of practical and administrative concerns off my hands. Technologically, I want to play in the champions league and this step makes that possible. Relinquishing sole control of the company will let me focus on the substance of projects and add real value as part of the Demcon group.”
About Demcon
Demcon (1,100+ employees) develops, manufactures and supplies technology and innovative products. The Demcon group has branches in Best, Delft, Enschede, Groningen, Leiden, Maastricht, Münster (Germany), Tokyo (Japan) and Singapore. The company was born out of its founders’ passion for combining creativity and technical skills to solve complex technological and social issues that directly or indirectly impact people and their environment. From medical solutions to systems that keep us safe and sustainable innovations in the realms of water and energy, Demcon’s work benefits current and future generations alike. In addition to developing technical solutions, Demcon is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and investing in talent and education.
About QL Polymers
QL Polymers specializes in polymer chemistry, technology and processing. The company has extensive knowledge and skills at its disposal, including expertise in materials analysis and characterization, as well as high-quality laboratory facilities. Based in Hengelo, Overijssel, QL Polymers supports customers in the development and production of polymers and additives that meet their specific requirements. QL is short for Quality for Life, reflecting the company’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable products and/or processes with a long lifespan and good potential for recovery, as well as materials with the potential to improve people’s quality of life.