Home » SpinChem launches new lab reactor to boost mass transfer and scale-up

SpinChem launches new lab reactor to boost mass transfer and scale-up

A rack, with Spinchems name on it, with small test tubes.
01.12.2025

SpinChem, based in Umeå, Sweden, has developed the SpinChem® MiniRBR — a refillable, milliliter-scale rotating bed reactor designed for rapid screening and reliable scale-up in biocatalysis and solid–liquid processes. Operating from just 5 mL, the MiniRBR enables fast parallel testing, reduced work-up, and enhanced mass transfer that closely mirrors the performance of larger RBR systems.

“Researchers want reliable screening data without consuming 100+ mL per test or wrestling with complex work-ups,” says Emil Byström, CEO at SpinChem. “The MiniRBR brings the Rotating Bed Reactor technology to milliliter scale, giving R&D teams and process development engineers the mass transfer they need to see real activity while staying close to the behavior of larger reactors for industrial scale.”

Real-World Validation
Early studies at leading research institutions are confirming the performance of the SpinChem® MiniRBR.

At the Institute of Technical Biocatalysis, TUHH (Hamburg University of Technology, Germany), researchers found approximately 50% higher apparent activity compared to suspended carriers under similar conditions.

Built for daily use, the MiniRBR is refillable, easy to handle, and compatible with standard magnetic stirrers, allowing labs to parallelize quickly and scale results with confidence.

At UNESP (São Paulo State University, Brazil), the MiniRBR enabled a challenging dynamic kinetic resolution involving two incompatible catalysts. Its compartmentalization enabled high conversion rates and over 99% enantioselectivity, results difficult to achieve with conventional suspended catalyst systems.

Key Benefits of the MiniRBR
According to Emil Byström, the main advantages of the MiniRBR compared to other lab tools include:

• Immobilized biocatalysis, when mass transfer limits conversion
• Multi-solid workflows, where compartmentalization helps prevent catalyst incompatibilities
• Adsorption tasks such as colour removal or scavenging, where consistent bed contact improves outcomes

Reference source here.

About SpinChem
* SpinChem, based in Umeå, Sweden, develops rotating bed reactor technology that helps scientists and engineers accelerate solid–liquid processes from screening to production.
* The company partners with process industries and research teams worldwide to improve mass transfer, repeatability, and scale-up confidence.

Media contact
Dr. Emil A. Byström, CEO, SpinChem AB
Email: info@spinchem.com
Web: Homepage 
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