“What do Rembrandt and flow chemistry have in common?”

CSIRO’s FloWorks facility has developed a synthetic resin, called MS3, as the latest generation of a synthetic varnish that was designed specifically for conservation and cultural heritage applications. After extensive testing at the NGV, the resin will now be trialed by conservators working in several of the world’s major art institutions.

The new varnish resin is the result of a collaboration between Australia’s oldest and most visited gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and CSIRO. The product has now been commercialised by Melbourne chemical manufacturer Boron Molecular, a former CSIRO spin-out.

Full press release: Australian innovation adds new sheen to old masters