CANOE IN BRIEF An organization created in 2008 in Nouvelle Aquitaine, which in 2020 comprised 45 members (researchers, engineers, technicians, etc.) working on developing advanced materials and improving manufacturing procedures for finished and semi-finished products. responsible for the formulation of Elium resins and® Its clients include 114 SMEs and large groups. Its wrapping. This is a decisive stage: by using a long-standing partners are the Nouvelle Aquitaine wrapping robot for the filament winding of carbon Region and Arkema. Its many collaborations with the fibers and Elium resin around the liner, we will pave® academic world include the Institut Polytechnique de the way for upscaling the new generation of type 5 Bordeaux, the Jules Verne research institute in Nantes, composite tanks. and the University of Pau-Pays de l’Adour. What form does Arkema’s collaboration withCANOE take? P.G. – Arkema is a founding partner of CANOE and also a customer. To attract other major partners, our link with France’s leading chemicals company offers real possibilities in terms of technological development of cutting edge and innovative materials. We also offer our expertise to a number of companies to help them test their finished and semi-finished products. CANOE’s independence is an asset, just like our presence in the local economic and academic fabric of the Nouvel le-Aquitaine region (see inset opposite). Do you think that Elium resin can® transform the tank market? P.G. – Absolutely. These tanks will be easier to produce and cheaper. Compared to epoxy resin, the manufacturing phase is reduced significantly, especial ly wrapping and post-heat treatment. This allows the manufacturer to reduce its capital expenditure and increase production rates. When the tank comes to the end of its life, the costly carbon fibers and the resin are recovered for other uses. Elium is great news, because the EU is tightening® regulations governing industrial waste taken to landfill and increasing recycling obligations. ■ * Sources: Hydrogen Council; FW Engineering in JEC Composites Magazine – Sept 2018; French Multiannual Energy Program (PPE). 23