Apeiron Synthesis

Apeiron Synthesis, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Wroclaw, Poland, is a technology company that develops and manufactures high-performance olefin metathesis catalysts. The company was established by a group of researchers, including Michał Bieniek, to commercialize the Nobel Prize-winning olefin metathesis technology and meet the increasing demand from the chemical industry. Bieniek began his research on metathesis during his doctoral studies in Poland and France.

The company's core business revolves around its proprietary ruthenium catalysts, which are used in various chemical synthesis processes. This technology enables the production of complex molecules with fewer synthetic steps, reduced waste, and lower costs compared to traditional methods. Apeiron's product portfolio includes over twenty catalysts, such as GreenCat, AquaMet, StickyCat, and LatMet, designed for applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, flavor and fragrance, polymer, and fine chemical industries. These catalysts are sold in quantities ranging from milligrams to multi-kilograms. The business model involves not only selling catalysts but also providing comprehensive R&D support services, including catalyst screening, process optimization, and custom catalyst development to assist clients from research through to industrial implementation.

Apeiron Synthesis has achieved several milestones, including its first patent application in 2012, the establishment of a US branch in Cambridge, MA, in 2014, and the launch of production facilities in 2016, enabling the company to offer its products in industrial quantities. In December 2022, the company secured a significant $4.8 million investment in a funding round led by Aper Ventures, with participation from ORLEN VC and the pharmaceutical company Adamed. This funding was intended to scale up the production of its catalysts. Apeiron's clients include major R&D centers and industrial partners like Polish energy giant PKN Orlen, which uses the technology in its petrochemicals division.

Keywords: olefin metathesis, ruthenium catalysts, chemical synthesis, process development, specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical ingredients, polymer manufacturing, sustainable chemistry, green chemistry, catalyst screening, fine chemicals, agrochemicals, flavor and fragrances, R&D services, custom catalysts, industrial catalysts, Nobel Prize chemistry, metathesis technology, advanced materials, chemical manufacturing, petrochemicals, molecular engineering, organic synthesis