Areas of expertise

IFPEN’s commitment to the development of a sustainable energy mix is reflected in actions aimed at:
•    increasing energy efficiency;
•    reducing CO₂ and pollutant emissions;
•    improving the environmental footprint of industry and transport;
•    while meeting the global demand for mobility, energy and products for the chemicals sector. 

With these objectives in mind, IFPEN develops solutions making it possible, firstly, to use alternative energy sources and, secondly, to improve existing technologies associated with the use of fossil energies.

Climate, environment and circular economy

• CO₂ capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
  IFPEN’s research activities focus on three areas: CO₂ capture processes, large-scale CO₂ storage technologies and the monitoring of storage sites, in order to guarantee their long-term safety and sustainability.
   
• Plastics recycling 
  IFPEN is an active player in the field of chemical recycling, which is likely to play a role alongside mechanical recycling to convert some waste plastics. Its research is aimed at developing efficient, cost-effective technologies. 
   
• Environmental monitoring
  The aim of IFPEN’s research activities is to develop exploration, characterization, exploitation and monitoring methods enabling the safe development of new energy technologies hinged around the use of the underground environment.
   
• Life cycle analysis (LCA)
  IFPEN researches and develops methodologies aimed at evaluating the performance of the energy and transport sectors.
   
• Critical metals and rare earths
  IFPEN’s research activities are aimed at proposing eco-efficient rare earth production and recycling technologies to support the development of new energy transition sectors.
   

Renewable energies

• Biofuels
  From the pretreatment of biomass to fuel production, via the optimization and integration of the different steps, IFPEN’s research covers the entire process chain.
   
• Biogas
  IFPEN develops eco-efficient biogas purification processes prior to reinjection into the network.
   
• Bio-based chemistry
  IFPEN is working on the development of processes, catalysts and biocatalysts for the transformation of biomass into bases for the chemicals sector (alcohols, olefins and aromatics).
   
• Offshore wind and ocean energies
  IFPEN is contributing to the growth of the wind energy sector, from resource evaluation through to the development of efficient control systems. IFPEN is also contributing to the development of efficient wave energy technology that can be used by industry.
   
• Geothermal energy
  IFPEN’s research is aimed at overcoming the technical and economic challenges hampering the industrial development of geothermal energy.
   

• Hydrogen
  IFPEN is developing economically sustainable technologies to integrate hydrogen into the energy mix.
   

• Energy storage
  IFPEN focuses its activities on improving electric energy surface storage processes, adapted to network services, such as microgrids.
   

 Sustainable mobility

IFPEN’s activities in this field are conducted within the framework of the IFPEN Transports Energie Carnot Institute.
 

• Electrified Mobility
  IFPEN's research covers the development of innovative, efficient electric machines with a high specific power, along with their power electronics. IFPEN also focuses on the electrification of powertrain functions, as well as lost thermal energy recovery systems.
   
• Connected mobility
  IFPEN develops services and applications for connected vehicles dedicated to energy analysis, eco-driving, pollutant emission monitoring and driving analysis in terms of safety.
   
• IC powertrains
  IFPEN conducts research aimed at improving IC engines in terms of energy efficiency, the reduction in pollutant emissions and pollution control, as well as the optimization of fuel use, particularly low-carbon fuels.
    

Responsible oil and gas

• Fuels
  IFPEN’s research activities concern the development of hydrodesulfurization, hydrotreatment, catalytic reforming and paraffin isomerization catalysts and processes, for the production of more environmentally-friendly fuels.
   
• Petrochemicals
  IFPEN’s research focuses on the development of olefin and aromatic production catalysts and processes with a view to improving the performance of existing technologies, increasing the purity of the products obtained and consuming less energy.
   
• Gas treatment 
  IFPEN studies natural gas conversion, firstly for centralized hydrogen production via the development of highly energy-efficient processes and, secondly, for liquid fuel production. IFPEN also focuses on natural gas sweetening.
   
• Basins and reservoirs modeling and simulation
  IFPEN develops innovative underground modelling and simulation solutions, at the scale of both sedimentary basins and reservoirs. These solutions are useful to manage uncertainties and to reduce risks related to underground exploration and exploitation.
   
• Enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
  Within the framework of the EOR Alliance, IFPEN conducts research aimed at developing technologies adapted to various reservoir conditions and all types of EOR processes. IFPEN also focuses on the issue of water cycle optimization in an EOR context.
   
• Risers and flow lines
  IFPEN designs equipment for offshore drilling, as well as flexible pipes and multi-phase pumps for ultra-deep offshore production. IFPEN also develops sensors and tools for the management of production risks.