Brussels, Paris, December 15, 2016 --- Solvay and the CNRS (France’s National Centre for Scientific Research) have renewed their framework agreement for five years, emphasizing the strong ties between science, research and innovation and their strategic partnership of the past 40 years.
Patrick Maestro, Scientific Director of Solvay, and Nicolas Castoldi, Chief Technology Transfer Officer and General Counsel of CNRS, signed the agreement which structures the scientific partnership between the two organizations. It includes conducting innovative research ranging from basic science to market applications to develop, for example, eco-efficient products and processes, formulations for home & personal care, polymer materials for lightweighting in transport or methods and tools that speed up research.
“Our partnership with CNRS reaffirms Solvay’s deep historical link to science and research. It brings together researchers with diverse profiles and drives creativity, resulting in innovative applications as well as in valuable and sustainable solutions for our customers," said Patrick Maestro, Scientific Director of Solvay.
“CNRS and Solvay open a new chapter in their 40 years of exemplary partnership. The new agreement illustrates how public research together with multinationals like Solvay, dedicated to innovation, can build a relationship of trust which takes research to the highest international levels and creates products and efficient processes addressing challenging market demands. Economic competitiveness is enhanced by excellence in science and CNRS and Solvay’s shared successes are testimony of this,” said Nicolas Castoldi, Chief Technology Transfer Officer and General Counsel of CNRS.
Since 2006, the collaboration between CNRS researchers, academics and Solvay teams has resulted in more than 110 patents, 450 contracts and nearly 280 shared scientific publications. It has moreover led to the creation of four shared research centres across three continents: the Laboratory of the Future (Bordeaux, France) and the Polymers and Advanced Materials Laboratory (Lyon, France), the Eco-efficient Products and Processes Laboratory (Shanghai, China) and the Complex Assemblies of Soft Matter Laboratory (Bristol, Pennsylvania, United States).
Follow us on twitter @SolvayGroup
An international chemical and advanced materials company, Solvay assists its customers in innovating, developing and delivering high-value, sustainable products and solutions which consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions, optimize the use of resources and improve the quality of life. Solvay serves diversified global end markets, including automotive and aerospace, consumer goods and healthcare, energy and environment, electricity and electronics, building and construction as well as industrial applications. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of € 12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB:BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR).
The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a public-funded institution, under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. It produces knowledge in the service of society. With a staff of almost 32,000 people, an initial budget for 2015 of 3.3 billion euros, including 769 million euros of their own resources, and facilities across the country, CNRS is active in all scientific disciplines, with more than 1,100 research units and services. With a portfolio of 5629 patent families, 1281 active licenses, 26 contracts with CAC 40 companies, more than 1,200 start-ups created over 120 common structures for CNRS/companies research, laboratories involved in Institutes/Tremplin Carnot and in competitive clusters, 43000 publications on average per year, 21 Nobel prize laureates and 12 Fields Medal winners, the CNRS has a long tradition of excellence, innovation and transfer of knowledge to the economy.
