Research & Development

 

Open and dynamic partnerships

When it comes to Research and Development, PICA's central aim is to design new applications and to optimize its products for their current scope of utilization.

In order to achieve this goal, PICA is leading a dynamic and open partnership policy with several public and private organizations engaged in research programs associated with activated carbons:

  • Veolia Environnement's two main research centers : GIE Anjou Recherche (a water research center) and CREED (energy and waste management research center);
  • Military research centers, including the CEB (France), the TNO (Netherlands), and the DSTL (UK) -with which PICA certifies new products intended for military protection;
  • Universities (Nancy, Metz, Orléans) and French Grands Ecoles (Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Ecole Nationale de Chimie de Rennes) ;
  • Public organizations such as the AEC (Atomic Energy Center);
  • Etc.

Problems under the magnifying glass:

  • The development of activated carbons in powder form specifically adapted to ultrafiltration membranes used in the production of clean drinking water (the OPALINE® family)
  • The utilization of activated carbons for storage of hydrogen;
  • The development of activated carbons able to target certain pesticides (glyphosate, aminotriazole, etc.);
  • Treatment of industrial effluents;
  • Development of activated resins (synthetic base).