The Arkema – Academy of Science prize for innovation in chemistry for sustainable materials awarded to Lydéric Bocquet

Colombes, France – The Arkema – Academy of Science prize for innovation in chemistry for sustainable materials was awarded to Lydéric Bocquet, Director of Research at the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), who is internationally recognized for his work linking the physical chemistry of materials, fluid dynamics and nanosciences.

This prize, awarded by the French Academy of Sciences and financed by Arkema to the tune of 25,000 euros, is intended to reward high-level research work that contributes to innovative chemistry, paving the way for solutions for sustainable and responsible development.

Lydéric Bocquet is a researcher whose work is an excellent example of the back and forth between fundamental science and concrete applications. He combines theory, molecular modelling and experimentation to understand the complex structure of interfaces at the nanometric scale, and to explain and predict the behavior of fluids or gels at these interfaces.

This understanding of flows within membranes with nanometric porosity, or in structured gels, paves the way for innovations in terms of materials for water management and the development of green energy.

Arkema is a global champion in specialty materials, offering innovative solutions in polymers, additives, coating solutions, and adhesives in a wide range of markets. Its innovation constantly renews this range of solutions by providing technical performance and environmental value; 90% of the 222 patents filed by Arkema in 2021 address at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Green energy, lighter materials and resource management in a circular economy are among the Group’s areas of excellence.

This innovation is very open, based on regular interactions with the academic world and the ecosystem of start-ups. Scientific curiosity, intellectual rigor, and the desire to provide solutions through innovation are strong values of the Arkema Group’s scientific community. The award of the Arkema-Academy of Science Prize to Lydéric Bocquet is a perfect illustration of this commitment.