Sustainable Coatings and Encapsulation - Fundamentals of Films and Microcapsules

Sustainable Coatings and Encapsulation: Fundamentals of Films and Microcapsules is a continuation and expansion of the highly successful Microencapsulation short course previously delivered at the University of Leeds
between 2012 and 2023.

This updated course provides a strong foundation in coating and encapsulation science and technology, with a clear emphasis on the development of more sustainable solutions. Delegates will gain both fundamental understanding and practical insight into how sustainability considerations are shaping current and future practice.

The course offers a programme of academic and industry collaboration, combining expert-led presentations with laboratory demonstrations. Delivered over 3.5 days, the course is structured into three complementary themes.

Course Aims:

• Understand scientific and engineering principles underpinning coatings and encapsulation

• Explore where sustainability gains lie in established and emerging materials

• Examine life cycle analysis and regulatory considerations

• Develop insight into formulation, manufacturing and characterisation

• Understand translation from laboratory to industrial scale

• Suitable for industrial scientists and engineers working in formulation, manufacturing, quality control and technical roles.

• Also relevant to academic researchers interested in industrial challenges and sustainability.

• No prior knowledge required. Scientific or engineering background or relevant industrial experience recommended.

Day one

• Welcome

Films and coatings

• Coatings and films: differences and similarities

• Coatings for paper packaging 

• Fundamentals of (latex) film formation

• Coatings and practical aspects 

• Demonstrations: 

  • Lab coating and film production methods 

  • Film/coating strength characterisation methods

  • Anaerobic digestion test methodology

• Technical aspects of protein-based coatings

• Property characterisation of films and coatings

Drinks, nibbles and networking

Day two
Sustainability of coatings/films and microcapsules

• Sustainability and life cycle analysis 

• Sustainability for packaging solutions

• New/upcoming regulations driving formulation of more sustainable products

• Process of moving to more sustainable products

Scientific concepts underpinning move to more sustainable products

• Solubility science and traditional (non-sustainable) material replacement

• Cellulose dissolution and influence on subsequent uses

• Greener formulations

• Biodegradability testing – standards and numbers

Day three
Encapsulation methodologies and sustainability

• Droplets and sprays in encapsulation: background in forming droplets from nozzles and common process units

• Spray-drying for sustainable encapsulation

• Sustainable microencapsulation processes based on fluid bed technology – principles, industrial implementation and application case studies

• Spray drying sustainability

• Demonstrations - encapsulation: 

  • Spray drying 

  • Membrane emulsification

  • Microfluidics testing of droplet coating strength 

• Emulsions, stabilisers, interfacial phenomena and implications on shell formation

• Membrane emulsification and applications in sustainable coacervation methods

Day four
Demonstrations and new formulation methodologies

• From traditional microcapsule designs to promising sustainable alternatives

• Examples of academic progress in performance-matching sustainable capsule shells

• Sustainable encapsulation at Givaudan

• Capsule properties characterisation: release rates, strength, surface structure

End of course

Course Directors
Dr Olivier Cayre, University of Leeds
Dr Keeran Ward, University of Leeds

Invited Speakers

Steven Abbott, Steven Abbott – TCNF Ltd & University of Leeds
Andrew Bayly, University of Leeds
Matthew Creswick, University of Leeds
Devon Crouch, Unilever
Ian Harrison, Givaudan
Lynette Holland, Xampla
Nicole Hondow, University of Leeds
Nik Kapur, University of Leeds
Tobias Kockel – Powder Technology Expert
Koon‑Yang Lee, Imperial College London
David Palmer, Micropore
Mike Ries, University of Leeds
Andrew Ross, University of Leeds
Alex Routh, University of Cambridge
Swen Schumann, Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
James Taylor, Xampla
Phil Threlfall‑Holmes, University of Leeds
Clare Walker, Holiferm
Zhibing Zhang, University of Birmingham

Course fee:

Days 1 – 2 (2 days): £800
Days 2 – 4 (2.5 days): £1,000
Full course (3.5 days): £1,300

Fees are VAT exempt

Fees include:

• cost of tuition

• course materials

• lunches

• light refreshments

• course dinner on Tuesday evening

View our terms and conditions

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT

Detailed directions (including the exact location for the course registration and presentation room) will be sent out with the delegate joining instructions.

How to find us

The nearest public car park is Woodhouse Lane (multi storey) at LS1 3HQ. The car park is open 24 hours. Charges apply, please click here for information and location details. Please note this car park is a fifteen minute walk to/ from our building and delegates should allow ample time to park and register for the course. 

There is also limited on-street parking in the vicinity of the University.

Travel

International delegates travelling to the UK may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Be sure to apply in advance of your travel date. For further details, visit the UK government website.

Please note that accommodation and evening meals are not included in the course fee (except the course dinner, included for all delegates attending day two – Tuesday). Delegates are welcome to make their own accommodation arrangements if required, and a list of recommended hotels close to the University will be provided with the course joining instructions.

We look forward to welcoming delegates to Leeds.

Helen Forsyth – Course Coordinator

CPD, Conferences and Events 
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences 
University of Leeds,
Leeds
LS2 9JT

T: 0113 343 8104

E: cpd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk

Stay up to date with the latest course news and developments by following the CPD, Conference and Events on LinkedIn.