5. Conclusion and outlook

The last decade has seen the emergence of miniaturized flow reactors as a possible alternative to conventional batch processes for chemical synthesis. While this technology initially appeared to be an exotic, or simply a transient technological fad like the world of chemistry has seen in the past (with microwaves, for example), several recent events have transformed it into a new paradigm. As is often the case in major crises, a complete overhaul of several immutable models has been necessary to overcome major problems, in particular drug shortages. The relocation of fine chemicals can only be re-established through a viable long-term approach that breaks with old recipes. What's more, this relocation has to fit in with the new lifestyle model of citizens who don't want to live with a massive chemical plant next door to them. Consequently, miniaturized flow reactors have penetrated industrial...