Fine chemistry and biohealth

A competitive environment in the field of fine chemistry

Chemistry, pharmaceuticals and cosmetology are an essential advantage in Castres-Mazamet in light of their high technological potential and the presence of the Pierre Fabre laboratories, as well as companies involved in various activities, professional networks, and higher education and research.

Technical and scientific resources dedicated to fine chemistry:

Technology resources and transfer center specialized in chemistry (CRITT)
Technological agro/bio-industry hall
Research partnerships with “grandes écoles” and universities

Resources supplemented by specialized educational programs:

DUT in Chemistry
Professional degree in Formulation Engineering
DUT in Packaging Engineering
Degree in Chemistry, Analysis and Quality

A major industrial player: the Pierre Fabre Group

The Pierre Fabre laboratories in numbers:

The number one European dermo-cosmetic laboratory for pharmacies
The number two privately owned pharmaceutical group in France
2,300 of its 9,000 employees work in the Castres-Mazamet region
A leader in the field of chemistry, bio-health and cancerology
A production unit for a pilot cancer product in the Causse industrial park

In the words of an expert, Frédérique BELLANGER, Director of the Castres CRITT:

Fine chemistry consists in creating new molecules with fine processes that allow for the development of high added value products.
The Castres CRITT has existed since 1999. At first, the “Chemistry and Environment” department existed, which, from 2002-2006, turned to “Chemistry for the Nation”. The 2006-2007 period allowed for a repositioning of the chemistry to cover two areas: packaging and formulation.
Packaging includes logistics (packaging flows), design and packaging materials. For example, metrology consists in controlling packaging and interactions between content and container.
Formulation refers to the basics, glue and cosmetology.

1. You are the Director of the Castres CRITT:

a. What is a CRITT?
The CRITT is a title conferred nationally: a “Centre Régional pour l’Innovation et le Transfert de Technologie”. There are nine topical CRITTs in the Midi-Pyrénées: they have technical and operational means (engineers, technicians). Some CRITTs are just interfaces that, for example, implement relations between laboratories and industry. Other CRITTs have their own analytical laboratories and can therefore validate their work pursuant to standards of the ISO and FDA type. (The FDA is an abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration, a department of the American government responsible for pharmacovigilance, which is the studies, control and regulations of drugs before they are placed on the market.)
Most CRITT are associated with research and education structures: Castres’ CRITT is a not-for-profit association (under the Law of 1901) located on the premises of the IUT of Castres' university institute for technology.

b. What does CRITT contribute to the world of industry, research and universities at the territorial, "département" and regional levels?
A CRITT is a "door" opened onto major cities and universities. Within a CRITT are independent elements of high scientific levels: the teaching premises of the Castres IUT have a great pool of highly qualified students. (For more information on the Chemical and Quality Analysis and the Formulation degrees).
The CRITT is also a forum for exchanges and debates with industrial partners, university professionals and scientists based on innovative topics (an eco-design and materials day).

c. What services are provided to companies, for example?
The CRITT offers consulting and audit services, conducts tests for companies and helps them in their production processes by acting as follow-up support. The multiple skills of the CRITT allow it to provide logistical support to inventors, as well as analytical assistance (product analysis). In the development process of a project, the CRITT can participate when a concept exists at the production stage: audits in terms of raw materials, formulation, etc. In particular, the CRITT has assisted in improving the processes of certain startups in Toulouse.

2. What development opportunities exist in the field of fine chemistry (niches, market segments)?

Development opportunities in the field of chemistry include packaging and transversality in packaging: for example, compatibility between the content and the container, and packaging-related logistics.
Niches can also be found in terms of formulation and more particularly in the rationalization of the formulation, planning, experimental plans…
The region is not positioned in chemical production as such, as is the case of Toulouse, but on opportunities related to people working in the field.
It is important to insist on the term "transversality” in the field of chemistry, as the expertise of tomorrow’s engineers is based on transversal skills in this field.

3. The CRITT is based in an area affected by the dynamics of a Cancer-Bio-Health competitiveness cluster, a partner of the Castres-Mazamet Technopole. What actions should be led to develop activities in the field in this "département"?

The notion of complementarity in technology transfers is fundamental. Therefore partnerships and working relations must be consolidated and developed with the universities and research laboratories of Toulouse. Indeed, Castres’ CRITT is a center for technology transfers located outside of Toulouse and does not have many researchers. The Castres CRITT wants to propose a clear, credible offer in this regard, with high added value services and an enhanced image of its engineers.

Installation and facilities solutions for companies

An installation site dedicated to fine chemistry activities
Premises equipped with laboratories connected to the CRITT