It is well known that the scarcity of resources, especially those that are easy to process, is creating growing uncertainty. The problem is particularly acute today because the world's energy consumption is accentuated by the increased demands in emerging and developing countries and the needs resulting from new products being brought to market--so energy consumption is not about to decline. The management and conservation of natural resources are the main challenges we face in working to create green processes and sustainable development. In the 21st century, economic growth will require us to use safe, sustainable resources to meet society's growing needs. So it is crucial that we find innovative solutions and technologies that draw on much more complex raw materials, from both renewable and non-renewable resources. The Chair's co-holders, Professors Jamal Chaouki and Louis Fradette, will work in this direction.

"The population's energy needs are growing, resources are becoming scarcer, and environmental and social concerns absolutely must be central to responsible research," Professor Chaouki said. "Our research team is powerfully inspired by the desire to transform today's waste into tomorrow's resources."

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Total have joined forces with Polytechnique to create an industrial research chair that aims to contribute to the development of new processes that are respectful of the environment. "It is crucial that we take into account environmental questions that result from the rapid world population growth and the increased use of energy resources," added Professor Fradette, co-holder of the Chair. "This is a hugely strategic issue, since new technologies will be at the forefront of any breakthroughs."

To carry out its work, the Chair will benefit from a five-year operating budget of $3.2 million, with $1.25 million from NSERC and $1.25 million from Total, along with $700,000 in support from Polytechnique. Other contributions earmarked for infrastructure and equipment required for the Chair's work will be added to this base amount. Among others, that includes contributions from the Canada Foundation for Innovation ($400,000), Total ($150,000) and the Gouvernement du Québec ($400,000). The research team will have a total budget approaching $4.2 million.

"Today, we are celebrating two research leaders who are using their talents and knowledge to spearhead innovation for one of Canada's energy production sector," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "The research work by Drs. Chaouki and Fradette has shown impressive initiative and ambition when it comes to tackling issues faced by industry. As Chair co-holders, they will enjoy a strong position from which to contribute new ideas and improve operations within the sector."

For his part, Philippe Tanguy, Vice-President of R&D Programs, Partnerships and International Relations/Scientific at Total, said: "We are proud to support this new chair, whose research work is motivated by the major societal challenges of access to energy and development of clean technologies. The energy and petrochemical industries need to marshal major research efforts in order to be able to improve their knowledge of the physical and chemical processes and -- why not? -- culminate in technological jumps."

A research team dedicated to the industry's needs

Over the next five years, Professors Chaouki and Fradette will work closely with more than 20 researchers, including some students. The students taking part in the research work will be specifically trained and educated about the problems faced in the field, which will be a clear benefit to the businesses that hire them in the future.

"Thanks to the research program of this Chair, Canada can become a world player in the development of green processes for upgrading difficult natural resources and  transforming domestic and industrial waste," noted Christophe Guy, . "The Chair will benefit from infrastructure unique in Canada and will train a pool of high-quality researchers and specialists."

A vibrant tribute to Philippe A. Tanguy

The inauguration of the Chair was also the perfect time to mark the departure of a towering industry figure, the newly retired Philippe A. Tanguy, Vice-President of R&D Programs, Partnerships and International Relations/Scientific, of petroleum group Total in Paris. Before joining the company, the renowned researcher led an exemplary career as a professor in numerous Canadian universities, among others at Polytechnique Montréal, where he founded and led the Unité de recherche en procédés d'écoulements industriels (research centre in industrial flow processes) before holding the NSERC/Paprican Industrial Research Chair in Cellulose Properties and Utilization from 1993 to 2003, and following that, the NSERC/Total Industrial Research Chair until late 2008. Mr. Tanguy is also an adjunct professor at Polytechnique. A number of well-known scientists, including Louis Fradette, Robert Legros and Jamal Chaouki, paid tribute to their colleague in honour of his notable contributions to the field.

Left to right : Christophe Guy, CEO of Polytechnique Montréal; Louis Fradette, co-holder of the Chair; Jamal Chaouki, co-holder of the Chair; Philippe Tanguy, Vice-President of R&D Programs, Partnerships and International Relations/Scientific at Total.

Polytechnique would like to recognize the significant contributions of Professors Chaouki and Fradette. We are proud to inaugurate this very promising Chair!

To read about Professor Chaouki's expertise, click here.
To read about Professor Fradette's expertise, click here.

To learn more about NSERC 

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in postsecondary research projects.

To learn more about TOTAL

Total is one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world, with activities in more than 130 countries. The Group is also a first-rank player in chemicals. Its 93,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry - exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, new energies, trading, and chemicals. Total is working to help satisfy the global demand for energy, both today and tomorrow.