Technological support for SMEs
Twenty years ago, IFP was a pioneer in providing SMEs with technological support and expertise, the objective being to transfer scientific and technical know-how to companies not necessarily operating in the oil and gas markets.
Today, the relationship is more one of joint development: IFP works with SMEs to develop technologies that are suited to their specific needs. The majority of projects – around twenty agreements per year, more than 500 in 20 years – last between one and two years and focus mainly on the fields of the environment, pollution abatement and, more generally, eco-industries.
The directors of the SMEs agree on the many advantages associated with this form of cooperation: validation of technologies via digital simulation, prototype tests, project management assistance for the construction of an industrial pilot, but also legal support, technological intelligence, networking, and the contribution of IFP's reputation with bankers and customers.
Two types of partnership are possible
• IFP supports SMEs without the internal resources to meet their own R&D requirements in order to help them develop their innovations.
• IFP transfers to SMEs innovations resulting from its own research and which can be transposed to sectors other than its own.
A variety of sectors covered thanks to a comprehensive pool of expertise that can be harnessed internally
As part of its technological support policy aimed at innovative SMEs, IFP is involved in a broad variety of sectors and fields, such as:
• energy and new energy technologies (NET),
• construction,
• the chemical and pharmaceutical industries,
• the environment and pollution control technologies,
• biotechnologies,
• laboratory equipment,
• industrial equipment, sensors,
• software,
• industrial computing, etc.
The only limit to IFP’s involvement is the availability of the necessary skills and resources that can be harnessed internally to effectively support the SME’s innovation project. IFP draws on a pool of 1700 people and 50 professions or fields of expertise:
• process engineering,
• the design and validation of metrological, analytical and testing equipment,
• digital simulation and process control,
• divided solids,
• material engineering,
• solid mechanics and fluid mechanics,
• applied mathematics, etc.
In addition to these skills, IFP can also provide expertise in the field of project design and organization, intellectual property, industrial intelligence strategy and networking with industrial or academic partners.
Which projects and which types of partnership?
The company must be an independent, autonomous SME (less than 500 employees and not affiliated to a large group, from start-up to gazelle) and have a product or process development project of a proven innovative nature, for an identified market. The SME, which will be solely responsible for marketing the product or process developed in partnership with IFP, must be capable of completing the various phases involved in its industrial development and bringing it to market.
The favored R&D partnership method is joint development, in which the contributions of each partner are clearly identified and balanced, with a view to achieving the greatest possible synergy and thereby ensuring the success of the project. IFP offers the company the chance to share the financial risks by funding its contribution to the project itself. In return, IFP receives royalties on the revenues generated by marketing the jointly developed product or process. It is a genuine win-win partnership, with IFP’s rewards being dependent on the commercial success of the joint development. A partnership contract details the various conditions. This is a long-term partnership, with IFP supporting the SME until the product or process is brought to market.
+ Expertise > the research divisions
-
Brochure [in French] : "L'IFP et les PME-PMI - innover ensemble"
(PDF - 1.35 Mo)
