Supporting the development of technologies, processes or products that are both economically and environmentally viable is one of Savoie Technolac key objectives.

The University of Savoie and other research organizations located on the park are increasingly turning their attention to this important field of scientific research which represents a fast-emerging market in Europe driven by need, regulatory change, and evolving consumer demand.

A wide range of applied environmentally sound methods and technologies are already being implemented by local stakeholders. These include:

• The natural biological treatment of urban and industrial waste water with macrophytes (aquatic plants)
• The development of high-efficiency filters for the automotive and nuclear industries
• Biofiltration treatment of gases containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Oxidation of non bio-degradable compounds using high frequency ultra-sound
• Buildings and energy efficiency
• Development of new polymers for fuel cells
• Eco-design, recycling.

Many of these projects are being carried out, in partnership with industry, by the research laboratories of the University of Savoie and its Engineering School, Poly’tech. These laboratories include:

The Design Optimization and Environmental Engineering Laboratory (LOCIE): has some 80 academic staff and PhD students organized in 4 research teams specialized in the fields of: energy management for buildings (especially in relation to the use of solar energy); composite materials; environmental design for manufacturing; and biotechnology for the treatment of effluents. LOCIE works in close cooperation with, among others, industrial partners such as: CEA Saclay, CCLA, CNR, CTIFT, GDF, ITV, LAURETTE Industries, RATP, RECYCL’AIR, RENAULT, SADE, SAUNIER Environnement, SINT, Salomon, Owens Corning, Schneider Electric.
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The Molecular Chemistry and Environment Laboratory (LCME): has some 30 academic staff and PhD students working in the following areas: the chemistry of the natural environment; basic and applied research in sonochemistry and the physical and chemical treatment of industrial effluents. LCME works closely with, among others, VEOLIA Environnement, NESTLE WATERS, EFS Electronique, SNR, UCAR, ATE Geoclean, Foffman Laroche, Solvay Belgique.
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The Organic Materials with Specific Properties Laboratory (LMOPS): has a team of more than 20 academic staff and PhD students carrying out research into polymers with integrated functions in collaboration with numerous industrial partners such as, among others, Air Liquide, AREVA, EDF, CEA, ALSTOM, RENAULT, GDF, EDF, the CNR, the COGEMA, the CNRS, ADEME, the CSTB, and INRA.
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The University of Savoie also possesses a strong research capability in particle physics and works closely with the world’s largest particle accelerator (CERN), located on the French-Swiss border

In addition to the University, Savoie Technolac is home to a number of other research institutions whose activities contribute to the field of environmentally sound technologies. The park therefore has a clear role as a knowledge resource for this sector. These institutions include:

The National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) develops thermal solar applications for domestic and professional heating and cooling purposes. It is also working to produce more efficient photovoltaic cells and systems for producing solar electricity, and to promote their use in buildings.

The Chambery Institute of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Metiers (ENSAM) has a teaching and research capability in eco-design and environmental management for manufacturing, especially in relation to eco-design aspects of the product life cycle, for example, in respect of end-of-life dismantling.

THE SOLAR ENERGY CLUSTER

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