SPOTLIGHT Each industry has its reasons for using Elium, but® no cobalt salts, typically used as catalysts to our main customers report three main benefits, in initiate the radical polymerization of the resins, addition to the ease of use for a thermoplastic but often classified as carcinogenic in Europe composite material: performance, improved (CMR substances – ), or styrene, which is toxic productivity in using the resin and recyclability. to reproduction and also classified as hazardous to human health. What stage of development are you at? G.C. – We started production in 2014 in three How is Arkema establishing itself in this continents (Europe, North America and Asia). Our market? customers are now starting to incorporate it into G.C. – We face two challenges: maintaining a their products. These include LM Wind Power’s high rate of production, driven by brisk demand, wind turbine blades, start-up Northern Light’s while also ensuring uniform quality. So we are sailboats and, very soon, Sireg’s hydrogen tanks developing a global supply chain, setting up our and composite reinforcement bars. Elium sales® production plants on three continents. But the main are increasing sharply in all these markets and thing is to work with our customers and partners Arkema has trebled its annual sales since 2016. on creating a composites production industry that includes the new Elium resin. We want to give® Reasons to be proud of this invention? them the broadest overview of the product for their G.C. – Our teams are extremely proud in more applications. For Arkema, this is one more reason than one regard. Obviously for the reasons stated to be proud. above, and because of the feedstocks selected for the formulation of Elium resin.® It contains In addition to customers, which partners are involved in the venture? G.C. – We are working with academics, institutionalpartners and research centers to create a complete ecosystem centered around With its partner Team Lalou, Elium resin. They are helping us to establish it® Arkema built the first boat hull in specific markets. In wind power, for example, in Elium resin in 2015® with the National Energy Lab in the United States, and in France as part of the ZEBRA (Zero wastE Blade ReseArch) project, coordinated by the Jules Verne research institute to develop zero waste wind turbine blades. All play a necessary role in establishing this new segment. ■ 400% increase in Elium resin sales® between 2019 and 2020 06