Oxford’s FluoRok launches with £3million of funding

By Tom Kilkelly

17 July 2023

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Oxford-based fluorination experts FluoRok has announced that it has received £3million in seed funding from Oxford Science Enterprises.

FluoRok’s central business model is centred around the creation of a more sustainable synthesization process for fluorochemicals.

The new funding enables FluoRok to progress its technology and will allow the firm to gain more exposure in areas such as agrochemistry, pharmaceuticals and energy storage.

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Fluorochemicals are currently made using a centuries-old chemical process involving the highly toxic, hazardous and difficult-to-handle hydrogen fluoride. FluoRok bypass the hydrogen fluoride production process using the company’s ‘’disruptive proprietary technology’’. According to the firm, this method ‘’reduces energy requirements, lowers CO2 emissions and enables significant progress towards net-zero in the fluorochemical industry’’.

FluoRok CEO, Dr Gabriele Pupo, said: “Until now, access to fluorochemicals has exclusively relied on a centuries-old, energy intensive and dangerous process requiring the production of toxic hydrofluoric acid. FluoRok is a game-changer and this new investment allows us to develop and scale our pioneering technology, expand the team and take a further step toward revolutionising the fluorochemicals industry. Our mission to create a safer, cleaner and better world fits perfectly with OSE’s portfolio of innovators and disruptors tackling the world’s toughest challenges and I’m looking forward to achieving great things together.”

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.