IPC's new Board of Directors has just elected its new Chairman, Étienne Bechet de Balan. He succeeds Paul Valette, who has just completed his term of office.
" My aim is for IPC to be the tool of all French manufacturers, accessible to all, from the smallest to the largest. We will be stepping up technology transfer and the dissemination of know-how, and launching new collective projects involving manufacturers using a wide range of technologies, in partnership with other French and European research centers. Our ambition is to make our manufacturers more competitive at international level, thanks to high value-added products that are lighter, more innovative, more intelligent, more connected and more respectful of the environment. I approach this new mandate with confidence, because Paul Valette has accomplished a considerable amount in three years: he has set up IPC's governance, defined its objectives and missions, and steered the merger of the teams and know-how of PEP, Compositec, ISPA-E, Cemcat, 3SinPack and JCEP. He has also presided over the launch of numerous collaborative projects and collective actions "declares Étienne Bechet de Balan, new Chairman of IPC, General Secretary of the CEP industrial group, and since 2012 Chairman of Allize Plasturgie Auvergne, then Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (500 industrial members).
" The Federation lends its full support to Étienne Bechet de Balan in his efforts to involve IPC in the priority issues facing our profession. IPC has a strategic role to play in our industry, as it is the only industrial technical center entirely dedicated to the plastics and composites sector. We want to establish IPC as a major national player in innovation and R&D for the long term. "explains Jean Martin, General Delegate of the Fédération de la plasturgie et des composites.
A strategy focused on the circular economy and the industry of the future
IPC supports two key areas in its strategy: the circular economy and the industry of the future. Indeed, the IPC will be devoting almost a third of its budget to collective actions linked to the circular economy, and in 2019 will be running 16 "recycled plastics" workshops across France.
The Industrial Technical Center also implements tools to accelerate innovation and competitiveness, particularly in areas of strategic importance to plastics professionals, such as recycling, additive manufacturing and food safety. For example, IPC has just launched Printer, a unique technology platform for 3D printing, and will soon be announcing the creation of new platforms.
" IPC's action plan [demonstrates] how the use of polymers makes everyday objects stronger, lighter and more recyclable. Improving the collection and sorting of plastic waste enables us to participate in a genuine circular economy that respects the environment and meets the expectations of our fellow citizens. "continues Étienne Bechet de Balan.
A new business model to activate skills transfers
CTI's mission is to give manufacturers a head start in innovation. " IPC is complementary to the innovative projects carried out by Plastipolis and other clusters. The projects on which IPC is working are differentiating, as we aim to provide manufacturers with answers in areas where R&D is still at an early stage, such as the circular economy, 3D printing or the integration of intelligence. The aim is to create startups in collaboration with manufacturers, in order to provide them with advanced technological solutions. "explains Luc Uytterhaeghe, Managing Director of IPC.
Learn more: www.ct-ipc.com