What Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques does

Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques (IRCER) is a French public research laboratory (UMR CNRS 7315) jointly operated by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the University of Limoges, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Limoges, France. The laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research in ceramic materials science and process engineering, organized around four research axes: innovative ceramic processes, plasma and laser processes, multiscale structural organization, and ceramics under environmental stresses. Two cross-cutting themes — AI for materials science and sustainable development — run across all four axes and signal the laboratory's intent to integrate computational methods and circular-economy considerations into traditional ceramics research.

IRCER's technology stack rests on three technological platforms: CARMALIM (described as unique in Europe for ceramic characterization), SAFIR (surface treatment), and an in-house mechanical workshop. It has produced 26 patents since 2015, including 6 exclusive licenses and 2 property transfers, and operates 5 joint laboratories with industrial partners, notably the LABCOM LIRYS with Imerys. The Microceram spin-off exists to commercialize selected IP, and named industrial partners include SAFRAN, OERLIKON, IMERYS, and CEA le Ripault. The laboratory employs 200+ members, including researchers, engineers, and doctoral candidates.

The business model is that of a public research unit: core funding flows from CNRS and the University of Limoges, while approximately 25% of the annual budget is generated through industrial research contracts, joint laboratories, and technology-transfer activities (licensing, property transfers, spin-off equity). Pricing is project-based rather than transactional; go-to-market is relationship-driven through long-running partnerships with French and European industrial anchors. Customers are primarily large industrial groups in aerospace, surface engineering, and mineral-based materials, alongside academic collaborators across France, Japan, the Philippines, and Morocco. Leadership is provided by Director Philippe Thomas and Deputy Director Samuel Bernard.

Name

Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques

Legal name

Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques

Website

https://ircer.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IRCER is a French public research laboratory jointly operated by CNRS and the University of Limoges, specializing in ceramic materials science and process engineering for industrial partners and academic collaborators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Materials Science Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test, Measurement & Calibration Equipment Manufacturing Services (ATE, DAQ, metrology electronics) (IMAGAGAH), Laboratory & R&D Chemical Waste Management (BPALAHAI)

Keywords

• Ceramic materials research
• Materials characterization services
• Innovative ceramic processes
• Surface treatment technologies
• Powder sintering research

Headquarters

HQ city

Limoges

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: Base funding from CNRS and University of Limoges as a public research laboratory (UMR CNRS 7315). Includes institutional grants and LABEX Excellence funding for ∑-LIM.
2. Industrial Research Contracts: Contracts with industrial partners representing approximately 25% of annual budget. Includes joint laboratories (LABCOM LIRYS with Imerys), technology development partnerships with CEA le Ripault, SAFRAN, OERLIKON, and others.
3. Technology Licensing: Patents portfolio of 26 patents since 2015, including 6 exclusive licenses and 2 property transfers. Spin-off creation (Microceram) demonstrates commercialization pathway.
4. International Project Funding: International Research Projects (IRPs) including FRESH and B3Lab. Erasmus+ program funding (90,530 euros for IIT Philippines partnership). ANR (French National Research Agency) funded projects.
5. Regional Grants: Regional funding from Nouvelle-Aquitaine (e.g., 62,000 euros for CERFRESH project on passive cooling ceramics).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IRCER (UMR CNRS 7315) is a public research laboratory jointly operated by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Limoges. It conducts fundamental and applied research on ceramic materials, innovative ceramic processes (sintering, surface treatments, powder processing, shaping, additive manufacturing), and materials characterization. It operates open-access experimental platforms (CARMALIM, SAFIR, Mechanical Workshop) used by industrial and academic partners, and transfers technology through patents, licensing, joint laboratories, and the spin-off Microceram.

Product overview

IRCER (Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques) is a public research laboratory (UMR CNRS 7315) specializing in advanced ceramic materials science and innovative ceramic processes. The institute operates as a unified research organization rather than a product company, offering access to three main technological platforms: CARMALIM for physico-chemical characterization (unique in Europe), SAFIR for surface treatment and coating development (with Safran, Oerlikon), and a Mechanical Workshop for prototyping. The institute supports spin-offs like Microceram and joint laboratories including LABCOM LIRYS with Imerys. Research spans four thematic axes (Innovative Ceramic Processes, Plasma and Laser Processes, Multiscale Structural Organization, Ceramics under Environmental Stresses) plus cross-disciplinary themes in AI for Materials Science and Sustainable Development. Key capabilities include 3D printing, plasma/laser deposition, sol-gel processes, and advanced characterization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CARMALIM Open-Access Characterization Platform
• SAFIR Platform Thermal analysis and fire-behavior testing platform serving the ceramics, building materials and fire-safety communities, providing testing services for industrial and academic clients.
• Mechanical Workshop In-house mechanical workshop providing prototyping, machining, sample preparation and custom equipment fabrication for IRCER's research projects and partner needs.
• Microceram Spin-Off Technology-transfer spin-off company created from IRCER research to commercialize ceramic innovations; one of IRCER's start-up vehicles for bringing lab-developed processes and materials to market.
• LABCOM LIRYS Joint Laboratory Joint research laboratory between IRCER and industrial partners focused on collaborative ceramic research projects and long-term co-development of ceramic materials and processes.
• LABEX Σ-LIM Program Laboratoire d'Excellence program coordinated by IRCER focusing on excellence research in ceramic and related materials science, supporting doctoral and post-doctoral research activities.
• CERFRESH Project Project led by IRCER targeting urban planning, environmental and territorial applications of ceramics, addressing societal issues related to building materials and local government needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record photocatalytic methane conversion using VO2 metal-insulator transition
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Université Hassan 1er de Settat, MoroccominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Visit April 2026 by President Abdellatif Moukrim and VP Abdelali Ider to strengthen international cooperation between University of Limoges, IRCER, and Hassan 1er University. Discussion of future partnerships.
• IMERYScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025LABCOM LIRYS joint laboratory (ANR-23-LCV2-0005) inaugurated July 2025, focusing on advanced thermal spray technology for thermal coating of gas turbines using hydrogen. IRCER Director Simon Goutier leads the lab with Imerys Deputy Director Laurent Joly-Vuillemin. ANR-funded research combining academic and industrial expertise.
• Iligan Institute of Technology (IIT), PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2023Bilateral agreement signed November 2023 under Erasmus+ program between University of Limoges and IIT. Includes 90,530 euros funding. Led to exchange of researchers and potential future collaborations.
• SAFRANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of SAFIR platform (Surface Advanced Functionalization for Industry and Research) dedicated to dry process surface treatment for aeronautical applications. Addresses TRL 1-6 maturity levels.
• OERLIKONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of SAFIR platform for surface treatment technologies. Hosted visits as part of 'Navigating a Greener Sky' symposium. Joint development of thermal spray coatings.
• CEA le RipaultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint laboratory partner for ceramic materials research. One of five joint laboratories maintained by IRCER with major industrial and research partners.
• Nagoya Institute of Technology, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRP FRESH (Functional inoRganic matErials for global Societal cHallenges) international research project. Joint publication on transition metal-free sodium-doped amorphous silicon-boron-nitride in Angewandte Chemie.
• CNRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional partner. IRCER is UMR CNRS 7315. CNRS provides institutional funding, research positions, and framework for international collaborations including IRPs and joint laboratories.
• Université de LimogescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution. IRCER is part of University of Limoges ecosystem including ENSIL-ENSCI engineering school. LABEX ∑-LIM partnership with XLIM institute.
• CTTC (Centre de Transfert de Technologies Céramiques)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in CERFRESH project for 3D-printed porous cooling ceramics. Part of technology transfer ecosystem in Limoges ceramics cluster.
• ENSAD LimogesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CERFRESH project bringing design expertise for passive cooling ceramics for urban heat island mitigation.
• PEPR RecyclageminorOthersLabeled Lieu-TOTEM 'Développement Durable & Recyclabilité' as part of PEPR (Programme et Equipements Prioritaires de Recherche) Recyclage, Recyclabilité et Ré-Utilisation des Matières program.
• Musée national Adrien DubouchéminorOthersCollaborative participation in European Night of Museums. IRCER presents 'La céramique technique' public outreach stand showcasing innovations.
• Sèvres - Manufacture et Musée nationauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit January 2026 to discuss potential collaborations on enamel-themed research. Represents link between traditional ceramics and advanced research.
• Mobilier nationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit January 2026 to explore potential collaborations on enamel research alongside Sèvres Manufactures.
• ASM International / TSS (Thermal Spray Society)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted 'Navigating a Greener Sky' symposium November 2024 on thermal spray and PVD coatings for aerospace industries. Over 100 international participants.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research: German fundamental research institute with solid-state materials and ceramics programs, though more focused on basic science than IRCER's industrial application orientation - useful academic peer.

Broad incumbents

• Italian National Research Council (CNR): Italy's largest public research organization with materials science institutes (ISTEC, ISSMC) conducting ceramics R&D for industrial and cultural heritage applications - similar public-research mission and EU regional context as IRCER.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): US federal agency with extensive materials characterization capabilities, standards development, and industrial engagement; complements IRCER's CARMALIM-style characterization focus at much larger scale.
• National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS): Japanese national institute for materials science with extensive ceramics research programs, large characterization infrastructure, and direct collaboration with IRCER via the IRP FRESH partnership with Nagoya Institute of Technology.
• Spanish National Research Council (CSIC): Spain's largest public research institution with ceramics research institutes (ICV, ICMAB) covering structural ceramics, characterization, and industrial applications - comparable mission, scale, and EU-funded operating model.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives): French public research organization and one of IRCER's joint lab partners (CEA le Ripault). Operates at much larger scale across energy, defense, materials, and life sciences, with overlapping ceramics/materials research for nuclear and defense applications.

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS): Germany's leading applied research institute for advanced ceramics, with comparable mission in ceramic materials/process R&D, characterization platforms, industrial contract research (~30% industrial revenue), and spin-off creation. Most direct functional peer of IRCER in Europe.
• EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology): Swiss public research institute focused on materials science and technology with advanced characterization platforms, industrial collaboration model, and applied ceramics research - comparable scope and operational model to IRCER.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research institute with significant materials science and ceramics programs (including SiC and advanced ceramics), strong industrial contract base, and similar public-funded-but-industry-engaged operating model.

Others

• Institut Polytechnique de Paris - LMS (Laboratoire de Mécanique des Solides): French academic/engineering school research unit covering materials mechanics and characterization - closer geographic and cultural peer than global options, with similar public-research-to-industry transfer pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ceramiclab
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/ircer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques