Chairs

Cellulose Valley Chair

Reinventing Packaging

Development of new high-performance cellulose-based materials for packaging

"Cellulose Valley" is a chair of excellence, supported by the Grenoble INP Foundation and hosted by the LGP2 laboratory and the Grenoble INP – Pagora, UGAa school, linking research and teaching. Its objective is to meet society's expectations by proposing new solutions for high-performance cellulose-based packaging that is more environmentally friendly. Cellulose, the main component of all vegetable matter, has the potential to offer products that are both recyclable and biodegradable.

However, its poor barrier properties (to gases and liquids), 3D shaping and scelability are the main issues that prevent cellulose from being a real candidate in the packaging industry today. This is the main perspective guiding the activity of the Cellulose Valley project.

The Chair is supported by a large number of industrialists who allow to cover the essential points of the value chain associated with cellulose products and propose solutions in line with the real challenges of the packaging sector. "Cellulose Valley" will thus make it possible to increase and consolidate the level of excellence of the partner companies and Grenoble INP - Pagora by organizing a structuring activity of reflection and research of international dimension around the theme of cellulose packaging.

“There is no longer any doubt that our society needs new packaging solutions to avoid pollution and reduce environmental impact. Cellulose science has evolved enormously since my first steps in the field 20 years ago. It is therefore one of the solutions for moving forward with the development of high-performance materials derived from nature that are both recyclable and biodegradable. It was this challenge that prompted me to launch this Chair of Excellence adventure with 7 major industrial partners.”

Julien BRAS

Holder of the Cellulose Valley Chair

“Cellulose is the most abundant organic molecule on earth, and its potential is still far from being fully explored, developed and utilized. The aim of the Chair is to broaden its areas of application, particularly in packaging, with new solutions that replace other, less environmentally-friendly materials with the same or better levels of performance. I look forward to benefiting from the scientific power of the Chair, its laboratory resources at LGP2 and its network of partners at different levels of the value chain, to bring virtuous solutions to the market."

Vincent RENAUDIE

Chairman of the Chair's COPIL and R&D Director of the Packaging Solutions Group at DS Smith

“Plastic makes our products perfectly safe to eat. And our dream within Cellulose Valley is to obtain, at the end of the Chair's work, 100% cellulose packaging that is just as effective. Today, this is just a dream. But it's because it's impossible that we joined Cellulose Valley."

Thierry MAUCOTEL

Head of innovation at the LDC group, Marie

“As a recent research engineer, my ambition has always been to link industrial and environmental issues. It therefore seemed essential to me to deepen my technical skills around cellulose so as to be able to make the most of it in all its potential applications. The richness of the Chair in terms of technical expertise, the complementary nature of the players involved and the particular dynamism of the research will enable me to fully achieve my objective and develop beyond it!"

Julia PESCHEUX-SERGIENKO

Research engineer

Our missions

Create recyclable and biodegradable packaging

On the research side, the Chair will focus its activity on obtaining new materials based on cellulose, thus biosourced, and which will aim to be both recyclable and biodegradable. These new materials will provide the mechanical and barrier properties needed in the field of packaging. The aim is to identify innovative solutions to enable the increasing use of cellulose materials in primary and secondary packaging, but also to promote the evolution of uses, while maintaining food safety and controlling the end of life of these new packaging.
Cellulose Valley will thus contribute to the environmental transition by providing a solution to companies seeking more sustainable solutions in packaging.

Training responsible engineers

The Chair will also engage in a formation component by developing pedagogical and academic resources for engineering students with quick access to research results. Cellulose Valley will also promote exchanges and reflections on cellulose and its use between partner companies, engineering students, PhD students and Masters students.
Its program aims to develop actions around the valorization of cellulose, particularly in the field of packaging and its entire value chain (actions with student projects on the site, actions towards associations and external students, teaching actions).

Photo credit : Studio Equinoxe

The Chair's founding partners and sponsors

Research and training areas

Research

Torely on and deepen the fields of excellence of the host laboratory around the cellulosic material, in particular cellulose microfibrils, cellulose gels, functionalized celluloses, paper and cardboard, molded cellulose, biocomposites...

To develop efficient industrial processes for the functionalization of surfaces and the shaping of cellulosic material. An approach of eco-design and "low-carbon" production will be expected.

Investigate other bio-based materials, compatible with cellulose and the objectives required by thepackaging and recyclability sector.

To imagine and propose new approaches to packaging, rethinking some consumption habits by proposing viable and attractive alternatives.

Formation

To train n competent and multidisciplinary researchers. A research team focusing in a fundamental way on the problems encountered.

To allow Master students to complete their studies with an internship revealing technical, societal and environmental issues. They will thus be able to approach the rest of their professional career in accordance with current issues.

To propose student projects within the host institution as well as the entire Grenoble INP - UGA structure around different themes through a multidisciplinary and dynamic vision.

To launch a competition with a national scope in order to promote cellulose and highlight the issues related to the packaging sector.