Jones joined Bitrez shortly after it was formed and consisted of a handful of staff. He entered the lab directly from school, aged 17, into a role as an apprentice technician and through a process of self-teaching and dogged determination, he developed his knowledge and experimental skills in chemistry, rising through the ranks to development chemist, works manager, operations manager, head of R&D, and now managing director and co-owner.
Jones is one of the world’s foremost experts in specialist polymers, resins and curing agents. His election to fellow caps a number of awards secured by Bitrez as a result of his pioneering development and innovative work, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and business and innovation awards by the Institute of Chemical Engineering, Make UK and Chemicals North West.
Jones led the research and development into the launch of low free monomer and Bis-Phenol A free resins to combat media concerns regarding endocrine disruption and BPA being a suspected oestrogen mimic causing gender mutation and birth defects.
Other highlights include the development and launch of epoxy curing agents, vinyl ester resins, epoxy resins, phenolic polymers, amino resins. He also developed and launched a range of novel catalysts and accelerators. Alongside this, Jones developed the only global REACH compliant Ketamine epoxy curing agent.
Some of these products are in the process of being patented and offer sustainable options to industry standard petrochemical derivatives.
Bitrez has grown significantly, increasing turnover to £25 million and now employing over 100 people. It is now a global supplier to the largest names in the chemicals industry and is an important local employer.
For Bitrez, Jones negotiated exclusive deal with the marine sector market leader and personally secured a PPG Global Supplier Award; building up a network of global distributors, including in the lucrative US market. During this time, he launched Chemical Processing Services, a bespoke consultancy in polymer chemistry.
With the expansion of the business into Asia, Bitrez opened a new HQ in Shanghai and has expanded its research and development facilities with a new purpose-built unit.
Paul spotted the business potential of a number of chemical opportunities, and bought parts of the chemicals businesses from Shell and BP. These have gone onto great commercial success. He also integrated the specialist adhesive producer, Acene into the business.
“I’m thrilled that Paul has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC),” said Brian Allen, co-director and partner of Bitrez. “The designation FRSC is only given to a select group of scientists who have made outstanding contributions to chemistry. On behalf of the business, I congratulate Paul on this exceptional and well-deserved honour.”
