Ronald Swart
A key contact point within CChES to help identify and link customers to the right services
Profile
With a wealth of experience in R&D across a range of industrial sectors, as well as a direct understanding of the benefits of industrial–academic collaborations, Ron Swart is well placed in his role as the Knowledge Transfer Manager within the KCMC/University of Southampton to identify the right contacts, facilitate discussions and deliver an effective collaboration/service.
Throughout his industrial research career, Ron has had multiple collaborations with industry, acting as an industrial supervisor for numerous CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) PhD students and has a clear understanding of the benefits such collaborations can bring to the industrial and academic partners.
After studying chemistry at Durham University and Enzymology at Warwick, Ron joined ICI working in crop protection, later moving to the ICI Corporate Laboratory where he worked on aspects of bioprocessing and the application of model bio-membranes to understand modes of action.
When ICI divested Zeneca, he joined Zeneca Specialties (later Avecia) as Group Leader of a team studying polymer interfaces, including the formulation of biocides and solvent extraction processes for metal recovery. When Cytec Industries bought Avecia’s Metal Extraction Products Business, His breadth of experoeRon took responsibility for the development of new solvent extractants in hydrometallurgy.
In 2008, Ron moved to Cytec’s Specialty Coatings business, leading research in powder coatings and subsequently, a strategic technology group with a very broad remit in developing new technologies. On the divestment of the coatings business to Allnex, Ron led the Analytical Research Group and also had responsibility for the Knowledge Management Office.
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