University of Kansas

Icorium Engineering was founded in 2023 by University of Kansas PhD graduate Dr. Kalin Baca and her former teacher, Distinguished Foundation Professor Dr. Mark Shiflett, after they developed technology to separate and recycle refrigerants, based on National Science Foundation-funded research. Due to global warming concerns, refrigerants are being phased out of production — Icorium’s technology handles complex refrigerant mixtures, allowing them to be reused and recycled. Their first-of-its-kind separation process is awaiting patent approval.

Icorium Engineering saw quick growth in 2024, securing over $1 million in pre-seed angel funding, expanding their team to 8 employees. The team successfully demonstrated proof-of-concept for their use of refrigerant recycling through a Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation. In 2025, Startland News, a Kansas City entrepreneur-focused news publication, named Icorium a Top 10 startup to watch. Looking ahead to 2026, Icorium expects to operate a commercial demonstration plant, which would scale their operation to separate more than 1 million pounds of refrigerant mixtures annually.

The University of Kansas’ federally funded research initiatives, exemplified by companies like Icorium Engineering, are pivotal in stimulating national economic growth and innovation. With federal funds supporting nearly 70% of its research endeavors, the University of Kansas contributed $1.2 billion to the U.S. economy from 2011 to 2022. Their robust research ecosystem has established 49 active startups, more than half of which remain in Kansas. With the help of federally funded research, the University of Kansas provides America with cutting-edge innovative technology, leading across sectors and into the future.