FloWorks: Advancing the Future of Flow Chemistry
FloWorks,or the Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry, is CSIRO’s cutting-edge technology transfer facility dedicated to advancing continuous flow chemistry in Australia and beyond. Since its launch in October 2019, FloWorks has become a national hub for innovation in chemical manufacturing supported by government and industry funding, including the Science and Industry Endowment Fund Medium Equipment Program (MEP). Located in the heart of the Australian Manufacturing and Materials Precinct in Clayton, the facility is a purpose-built 410 m2 pilot scale foundry available for industry and research bodies to partner and develop flow chemistry processes.
What We Do
FloWorks specializes in the development and application of advanced flow chemistry technologies, including:
- Controlled polymerization
- Catalysis and reaction engineering
- Process intensification and automation
- Smart monitoring and online analytics
Our services span the full innovation pipeline—from concept to commercialization—and include:
- Custom design and optimization of flow chemistry processes
- Installation, commissioning, and validation of flow systems
- Technical training and workforce development
Why Flow Chemistry?
Traditional batch processing in chemical and pharmaceutical industries often suffers from inefficiencies, scalability issues, and inconsistent product quality. FloWorks addresses these challenges by enabling:
- Cleaner, safer, and more sustainable manufacturing
- Scalable and cost-effective production
- Real-time process control and automation
Our Impact
FloWorks has transformed Australia’s flow chemistry landscape by:
- Driving innovation through collaborations with leading institutions such as Monash University (Australia), Research Centre Jülich (Germany), and Imperial College London (UK).
- Accelerating commercialization with industry partners like Boron Molecular and Precision Catalysts, leading to new products such as MS3 varnish, commercial RAFT agents, and Catalytic Static Mixers.
- Supporting sustainability through projects like hydrogen fuel production from an integrated liquid organic hydrogen carrier system suitable for maritime and port applications in collaboration with OneH2 and the Australia-Singapore Low-Emissions Technologies (ASLET) initiative, contributing to Australia’s net zero emissions goals.
- Enhancing public safety and skills by promoting safer chemical processes and delivering hands-on training to build a future-ready workforce.
Partner with FloWorks
Whether you’re a researcher, industry partner, or innovator, FloWorks offers the expertise and infrastructure to help you realize the full potential of flow chemistry. Together, we’re shaping the future of chemical manufacturing—smarter, faster, and greener.