2013-2015
Philippe Cassagnau (Laboratory for Polymer Materials Engineering, IMP), Timothy McKenna (Laboratory for Catalysis, Polymerisation, Processes and Materials, CP2M), Louis Vovelle (Elkem Group), and Philippe Franck Girard (Total) are considering bringing together local academic and industrial stakeholders in the field of polymers within an agile structure. These stakeholders also benefit from a favourable regional ecosystem, which includes leading competitiveness clusters such as Axelera, Polymeris, Techtera) as well as tools for developing collaborative research (Axel’One platform).
Juillet 2015 – The creation of LPSE
Seven leading industrial groups and two research laboratories have come together to establish the Lyon Polymer Science & Engineering research consortium. The companies Arkema, Elkem (Bluestar Silicones), Hutchinson, Nexans, Solvay, Toray, and Total have signed a strategic partnership agreement with the CNRS and the academic institutions INSA Lyon, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University in Saint-Étienne, and CPE Lyon.
This consortium is built upon the recognised scientific expertise of the joint research units Polymer Materials Engineering (IMP) and Catalysis, Polymerisation, Processes and Materials (CP2M). Its mission is to pool the strengths and skills of its members to co-develop innovative scientific topics that address future challenges in the polymer field—from synthesis to application—while integrating sustainability and recyclability considerations.
Main objectives of LPSE
1. Establish itself as a leading reference in France and internationally in the fields of polymerisation, polymer materials, and their recycling.
2. Research and Innovation
• Identify research topics that enable the development of disruptive new technologies and emerging expertise.
• Ensure the long-term sustainability of partnerships to promote high-level fundamental research while strengthening applied research for innovation.
3. Thematic Workshops / Scientific Days
Raise awareness among members about future challenges through dedicated workshops and scientific events.
4. Collaborative Projects
Conduct collaborative research activities on topics identified collectively or emerging from the workshops.
Testimonials
“Artificial intelligence is beginning to shape our everyday world — but only collective intelligence can make us more innovative and more effective. At LPSE, our intelligence is not artificial!”
— Philippe Cassagnau (laboratoire IMP)
« When we created LPSE, we never imagined such an exciting and fruitful journey between laboratories and industry. Through shared themes, seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects, we have collectively built a space for understanding and exchange that fosters the development of our research and technologies around polymers.”
— Louis VOVELLE (Elkem)
“These three years within LPSE have brought us — and continue to bring us — great satisfaction! The LPSE framework enables rich and regular exchanges: partners get to know one another and identify shared, non-competitive topics and challenges. This has notably allowed us to engage in in-depth technical discussions with certain industrial members of LPSE. We mutually enrich each other through similar technologies, with each member’s specific expertise offering a unique and inspiring perspective.”
— Alix Arnaud (Serge Ferrari)