From research to industry
IFP Energies nouvelles has long been using a variety of technology transfer routes in order to find industrial outlets for its R&D work. One of the original aspects of this approach is its involvement in the R&D projects not only of industrial groups, but also of SMEs and start-up companies.
This technology transfer policy is hinged round IFP Energies nouvelles's portfolio of shareholdings in companies that stand as benchmarks in their particular sector.
Some of IFP Energies nouvelles's research is carried out in partnership with industrial players.
Bilateral research
The bilateral R&D programs aim to provide solutions to problems raised by an industrial partner. IFP Energies nouvelles and their partner fund the research project and define the rules governing the ownership of results.
Consortiums
The consortiums bring together IFP Energies nouvelles and several partners. They pool resources and expertise with a view to leading research projects. For the most widely used formula in terms of basic research, the results are shared between the partners at the end of the project.
JIP or Joint Industry-Funded Projects
Joint Industry-Funded Projects (JIPs) are a specific kind of consortium. IFP Energies nouvelles runs the R&D program alone. At the end of the project, industrial players use the results but the industrial property is not shared: IFP Energies nouvelles is the sole owner of industrial property rights.
JIPs meet the needs of a research center such as IFP Energies nouvelles as well as those of industry. As far as IFP Energies nouvelles is concerned, JIPs are a means of accessing industrial data, being closer to industry-related issues and validating methodologies and technologies using field data. As for the industrial players, JIPs provide an opportunity to benefit from IFP Energies nouvelles's expertise and its highly sophisticated technologies. Between five and ten new projects are developed each year. They only involve activities related to exploration-production.
Demonstrator projects
A specific kind of collaborative research was recently set up in form of demonstrator research projects. As the final validation stage before industrial development, they are characteristic on account of the amount of resources they use. They involve new energy technologies which require a significant amount of research and result validation before opening up new industrial sectors.
In addition to the financial stakes, the project complexity requires collaborative work in order to both validate a comprehensive technological chain and not just a one-off piece of technology. This new kind of collaborative research provides R&D players like IFP Energies nouvelles the chance to work with sectors familiar with such research demonstrators and wanting to conduct experimental development work.
Licenses
IFP Energies nouvelles's innovations sometimes result in licensing out to industrial players. Licenses require IFP Energies nouvelles to provide the specifications required to make full use of the innovations it develops. To achieve this, IFP Energies nouvelles draws on its portfolio containing over 13,900 active patents.
2010 Activity Report - Part 5: From research to industry
(PDF - 1.1 Mo
)