Elastopôle invests Euro 50m in R&D & promotion of French rubber industry

By Louise McHenry, ERJ staff

Orleans, France -- French rubber and

polymer association Elastopôle spent over Euro 50 million on R&D

projects and collective programmes in 2010 in its quest to promote

and develop the French elastomer industry.

The “competitiveness cluster” of

rubber companies, research laboratories and universites, and

suppliers and users said in its 2010 report that the money was spent

developing research and innovation. In the report, Elastopôle also

outlined its programme of national and regional events, and promotion

of the industry in the media.

Elastopôle cited a number of

continuing three-to-four-year R&D projects in its report such as

vulcanisation optimisation study Thermel, and Cana, which focuses on

the development of natural rubber for anti-vibration uses. Each

project involves different partners from within the organisation's

members that work with Elastopôle in achieving the projects'

objectives.

Elastopôle, which was founded in 2006,

created a Scientific Council at the start of 2010 and appointed

Claude Janin as the head of the council. The Scientific Council is

charged with developing new ideas and innovations. Janin and his team

identified six areas for priority research, including nanotechnology,

green materials, and rubber substrates.

The Scientific Council organised a

series of meeting days for each area, the first of which was held on

9 Feb 2011, Elastopôle said in the report.

The association also invested in what

it called 'collective actions,' programmes of education aimed at

helping rubber businesses prepare for REACH regulation and achieve

effective management within their companies.

“Competitiveness clusters are a

decisive vehicle of economic and industrial policy in France,” said

Didier Fégly, Elastopôle president and Sacred CEO.

He added, “The procedures of

innovation must allow our economy and our businesses the best way to

confront international competition and the big social, economic and

environment issues of the 21^st century.”

During 2010, Olivier Gille joined the

organisation as operational director, leading the team in charge of

project management. Elastopôle said in the report that it appointed

two interns. One was tasked with researching “the implementation of

a economic intelligence policy” while the other was to identify new

members. The interns worked for for a period of six and three months

respectively.

Membership of Elastopôle was up by 12

in 2010 with a total of 89 members, including Sacred, Goodyear Dunlop

Tyres France, Trelleborg Modyn and ETRMA (European Tyre and Rubber

Manufacturers Association). Elastopôle said that its goal was to

reach 110 members by the end of 2011.

Fégly said that 2010 was the year of

international development and maturity. Throughout the year, the

association participated in a number of major events internationally,

nationally and in its four regions throughout France, Elastopôle

said in the report. The organisation also highlighted its links with

international companies and associations.

Elastopôle also outlined its tools of

communication for 2010, aimed at spreading the work of the

association, nationally and internationally. This included the daily

updating of the Elastopôle website and participation in a number of

trade shows.

Website of Elastopole (French language)