SONJA BLANC is How are you working with Arkema to Chief Executive bring about this innovation? Officer of SIREG S.B. – We are working together on a number of levels: in R&D, to identify the right Elium resin® GEOTECH. Since formulation to give thermoplastic reinforcements the 2009, she has expected mechanical and durability properties; strengthened the and during the manufacturing trial stage in order Group’s R&D and to perfect and improve this stage. Lastly, promotion driven forward its and communication are a key aspect and the international expansion. Sireg Geotech support of a worldwide composite materials expert specializes in products in thermoplastic, such as Arkema is essential in convincing the civil thermosettable and composite materials for engineering community of the relevance of this ground consolidation during tunnel breakthrough innovation. ■ excavation, for the reinforcement and restoration of infrastructures, and damaged historic buildings. Sustainability and taking account of environmental concerns are In 2019, at the JEC central to its strategy. Its R&D efforts have Innovation Awards, won a number of awards over the last few Arkema and SIREG years, including the JEC Innovation Awards were winners in in Paris in 2019 in the “Constructions & the “Construction” category for the Infrastructure” category for its “Bendable development of thermoplastic composite reinforcements for reinforcement bars concrete” project in partnership with for concrete and Arkema, the University of Miami and the composite cables in National Cooperative Highway Research Elium resin. Designed® in partnership with Program in the United States. Sireg, the University of Miami and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, this technology uses Elium resin.® 29