Scientific Design has a strong commitment to R&D with extensive research and development capabilities focused on selective oxidation catalysts and processes.

Over the years, SD has pioneered through its R&D programs a number of industry firsts resulting in world class technologies. Some examples of this are the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide (EO), oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide (the Oxirane process), the oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid (the Midcentury process), the oxidation of cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone to adipic acid (KA Oil), and syngas to acetic anhydride via carbonylation.

Scientific Design uses sophisticated techniques to keep our processes and catalysts up to date and competitive. Proportionally, we invest more in R&D resources than most technically oriented companies. This ensures that our client will get the most selective and productive catalysts. To accomplish this SD has at its disposal state-of-the-art analytical, microreactor and pilot plant facilities in Little Ferry, New Jersey. In addition we have available to us in-plant slip-stream reactors operating at various client plant sites throughout the world. These resources are primarily focused on EO but are also available for EO derivative processes such as ethoxylation and maleic anhydride (MAN).

Our current R&D staff averages over two decades of experience in industrial catalysis, research and analytical chemistry. The staff has more that 450 cumulative years of experience and more than 80% have graduate degrees. We are able to extend our resources through arrangements with a number of universities and consultants.

SD's unique ownership structure gives us access to the R&D resources of a major chemical manufacturer and a major catalyst manufacturer as well as direct end-user feedback on catalyst and process performance and expectations.