Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT

What Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT does

The Institut Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT (CBC Carnot Institute) is a French public research partnership institute formed in 2016 from the merger of Institut Carnot Cirimat and Institut Carnot Chimie Balard, granted the Carnot label by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation since 2006. It operates under the direct supervision of five French research and education institutions — CNRS, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (ENSCM), Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse, and Université de Montpellier — and unites more than 800 research personnel across four joint research units (ICGM, IBMM, IEM, CIRIMAT) in Montpellier and Toulouse. Its core activity is contract-based partnership research with industrial companies across five thematic areas: Energy (fuel cells, batteries, hydrogen, photovoltaics), Green Chemistry and Processes (bio-based polymers, alternative solvents, mechanochemistry, eco-extraction), Health and Cosmetics (bioactive molecules, drug delivery, medical devices, cosmetic formulations), Materials for Transport (aeronautics, space, automotive, rail), and High Performance Materials (alloys, oxides, thin films, spark plasma sintering, additive manufacturing).

The institute monetizes through a structured five-step partnership model: companies identify innovation needs, institute experts propose technical solutions, contracts are formalized, research is executed in laboratories and on technology platforms, and innovations are transferred back to the partner. It operates six shared technology platforms — ChemLab industrial pilot plant, MultiFab additive manufacturing, Balard Analysis and Characterization Platform (PAC), National Spark Plasma Sintering Platform (PNF2-CNRS), SynBio3 peptide/polymer synthesis, and scale-up tools — which generate fee-for-service revenue alongside R&D contracts. Pricing is custom by project; no standardized tiers are published. Complementary revenue streams include training programs delivered with CNRS Formation Entreprises and intellectual-property licensing for developed technologies.

For the most recent reporting period, the institute executed 486 industrial contracts, filed 41 patents, recorded €31.8 million in partnership research funding, and engaged partners across 18 dedicated events. Named industrial customers span large enterprise (Thales Alenia Space, Inventec, Aeterna Zentaris, Shire/Takeda) and startup/spin-off partners (Athéor, Norimat, Womed, NanoMedSyn, Sÿnia, Biomanity, Bulane). The institute has produced commercially validated outputs including FDA-authorized Macrilen™ (via Aeterna Zentaris) and EMA orphan-drug designation for NanoMedSyn's Pompe-disease program, and has won multiple innovation prizes (Grand Prix iLab 2018, Carnot 2023 Prize, Grand Prix Siemens 2010, Afaq quality certification 2025).

Name

Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT

Legal name

Chimie Balard Cirimat Carnot Institute

Website

https://carnot-chimie-balard-cirimat.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institut Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT is a French public research partnership institute, formed in 2016, that delivers contract R&D in chemistry, materials, and processes to industrial clients across energy, green chemistry, health, cosmetics, transport, and high-performance materials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Contract R&D and Technology Platforms (Chemistry, Materials and Processes)

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN)

Keywords

• Partnership research services
• Chemistry materials research
• Green chemistry solutions
• Technology platform access
• Industrial R&D collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Montpellier

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Partnership Research Contracts: Contract-based collaborative research with industrial partners across 5 thematic areas. Companies engage the institute to develop new products, conquer new markets, or improve existing products through structured R&D partnerships.
2. Technology Platform Services: Access to unique technology platforms for synthesis, shaping, and characterization of molecules and materials. Includes services through ChemLab ENSCM, MultiFab additive manufacturing, Balard Analysis and Characterization Platform (PAC), National Spark Plasma Sintering Platform (PNF2), SynBio3, and scale-up tools.
3. Training Programs: Competency transfer and R&D training programs for companies delivered in partnership with CNRS Formation Entreprises. Topics include HPLC purification, mechanochemistry, sol-gel coatings, oligonucleotide synthesis, electrochemical characterization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The institute provides contract-based partnership research in Chemistry, Materials and Processes across five thematic areas (Energy, Green Chemistry and Processes, Health and Cosmetics, Materials for Transport, High Performance Materials), backed by six shared technology platforms for synthesis, characterization, additive manufacturing, spark plasma sintering, and scale-up. It also licenses proprietary technologies such as Glass'in® and Ecorel™ Oxal AG, supports spin-off creation, and delivers competency-transfer training programs for industrial partners.

Product overview

Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT is a public research institute offering partnership research services in chemistry, materials, and processes. The institute provides five core research service areas: Energy, Green Chemistry and Processes, Health and Cosmetics, Materials for Transport, and High Performance Materials. These research services are supported by six technology platforms (ChemLab, MultiFab, Balard Analysis and Characterization Platform, National Spark Plasma Sintering Platform, SynBio3, and Scale-up Tools) that provide synthesis, characterization, and shaping capabilities for molecules and materials. The institute also facilitates technology transfer through licensing arrangements for developed innovations such as Glass'in® glass marking technology, and supports commercialization of developed products like Ecorel™ Oxal AG solder paste and biobased materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Partnership Services in Energy Contract R&D for industrial partners in energy: fuel cells, Li+/Na+ batteries, supercapacitors, hydrogen production, photovoltaic materials, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity and new fuels.
• Research Partnership Services in Green Chemistry and Processes Contract R&D for alternative solvents, solvent-free synthesis, mechanochemistry, bio-based molecules, biomass conversion, wastewater treatment and eco-extraction.
• Research Partnership Services in Health and Cosmetics Contract R&D for synthesis of bioactive molecules, hybrid materials, drug transport and delivery systems, vectors and probes for living organisms, innovative medical devices and cosmetic formulations.
• Research Partnership Services in Materials for Transport Contract R&D for aeronautics, space, automotive and railway: structural materials for high temperatures, polymer aging, hybrid composites, brazing materials for power electronics.
• Research Partnership Services in High Performance Materials Contract R&D on synthesis and shaping of alloys, oxides, thin films, protective coatings, nano-composites, carbon-based materials (graphene, nanotubes), spark plasma sintering, additive manufacturing.
• ChemLab ENSCM Industrial Pilot Plant Industrial pilot plant at the National School of Chemistry of Montpellier enabling industrial partners to develop processes or carry out synthesis and extraction at various scales.
• MultiFab Additive Manufacturing Platform Platform dedicated to development and transfer of 3D printing technologies for industrial and academic partners, including multi-material and multi-scale manufacturing capabilities.
• Balard Analysis and Characterization Platform (PAC) High-tech equipment hub for physico-chemical analysis and characterization, from molecules to materials, open to industrial partners.
• National Spark Plasma Sintering Platform (PNF2-CNRS) Platform at CIRIMAT in Toulouse for shaping materials using SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) technology, open to public and private laboratories.
• SynBio3 Peptide and Polymer Synthesis Platform Interface platform between chemistry and biology offering peptide and polymer synthesis services for academics and industrialists in medicine, biology, chemistry and pharmacology.
• Corporate Training Programs (CNRS Formation Entreprises) Competency transfer and R&D training programs delivered with CNRS Formation Entreprises covering HPLC purification, mechanochemistry, sol-gel coatings, oligonucleotide synthesis, electrochemical characterization, peptide synthesis and nanoparticle systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• €31.8 million in partnership research funding
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Shire/TakedacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Global biotech company entered collaboration agreement in March 2018 for application of NanoMedSyn AMFA technology in Pompe disease treatment. Shire/Takeda (Cambridge, MA) supporting development of lysosomal storage disorder therapies.
• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Primary research partner providing institutional support and framework. The institute depends directly on CNRS as one of its 5 educational institution supervisors. CNRS researchers including Olivier Dautel, Claude Estournès, Emmanuel Flahaut, Laure Monconduit lead key research programs.
• Thales Alenia SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Space technology company partnered with CIRIMAT to develop Ecorel™ Oxal AG high thermal conductivity solder for embedded electronics in satellites. Contributed to patent deposit in 2011.
• École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (ENSCM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Host institution for ICGM and IBMM research units. Provides ChemLab industrial pilot plant facility for company partnerships. Located at 240 av. du Pr. E. Jeanbrau, Montpellier.
• Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INP Toulouse)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Host institution for CIRIMAT research unit in Toulouse. Supports the National Spark Plasma Sintering Platform (PNF2-CNRS).
• Université de ToulousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006University partner hosting CIRIMAT laboratory at 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse. University Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier researchers contributed to Mobilint and Ecorel patents.
• Université de MontpelliercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006University partner hosting ICGM and IBMM research units. Supports SATT AxLR technology transfer. Home to IBMM's Artificial Biopolymers Department where Womed is headquartered.
• InventecmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany commercializing Ecorel™ Oxal AG high thermal conductivity solder pastes developed from CIRIMAT-Thales research. Licensed the technology for aerospace, power electronics, and optoelectronics applications. Presented at SMT trade show 2018.
• AthéormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup founded 2009 by Jean-Denis Borras and Dr. Olivier Dautel exploiting Glass'in® technology from ICGM. Multiple research collaboration contracts since 2008, with 4 contracts including CNRS-funded R&D engineer placement.
• SÿniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME with 18 employees specializing in high-end digital printing, European leader in doming since 2005. CIFRE thesis collaboration with ICGM resulted in bio-sourced polyurethane resin and 2 international patents. Awarded Carnot 2023 prize.
• NanoMedSynmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiotech PME founded 2012 developing targeted therapies based on mannose 6-phosphate receptor pathway. Spin-off from IRCM, IBMM, ICGM. Received EMA orphan drug designation. Collaborates with Shire/Takeda on Pompe disease treatment.
• WomedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedtech startup founded February 2018 developing Womed Leaf biodegradable intrauterine barrier. Spin-off from IBMM Artificial Biopolymers and CHU Nîmes. Won Grand Prix iLab 2018. Founded by Gonzague Issenmann, Xavier Garric, Stéphanie Huberlant.
• NorimatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpin-off from CIRIMAT founded 2016 by Romain Epherre, Yannick Beynet, and Claude Estournès. Licensed Mobilint patent from SATT TTT for flash sintering applications in aeronautics.
• BiomanitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench biotech startup developing 100% biodegradable, bio-sourced superabsorbent polymer from chitosan platform molecule. Pr. Ghislain David joined as CTO after research collaboration. Applications in cosmetics, hygiene, agriculture.
• Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research institute collaborating on NanoMedSyn targeted therapy development as part of translational approach involving IRCM, IBMM, and ICGM.
• Lafarge HolcimmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial participant in CO2 capture and valorization day (March 2025) with presentation by Thomas De Charette on decarbonation strategies.
• AxensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner participating in CO2 capture and valorization industry day showcasing institute capabilities in carbon utilization research.
• Jagiellonian University (Poland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration with IBMM's Green Chemistry team on continuous flow metathesis research published in Green Chemistry journal (2017).
• SATT AxLRcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnology Transfer Acceleration Company supporting invention disclosure, patent filing, and startup creation for Womed and other institute spin-offs.
• SATT Toulouse Tech Transfer (TTT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnology transfer partner signing Mobilint license agreement with Norimat in November 2017 for CIRIMAT patent commercialization.
• LAAS-CNRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner co-leading MultiFab platform for multi-material additive manufacturing with CIRIMAT. Funded by FEDER and Occitanie Region.
• Vaincre les Maladies Lysosomales (VML)supportingOthersPatient organization supporting NanoMedSyn research on lysosomal storage disorders, including VML-Swiss collaboration.
• Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM-Téléthon)supportingOthersFrench muscular dystrophy association supporting NanoMedSyn research on lysosomal storage disorders through patient advocacy and funding.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SINTEF: Norway's largest contract research organization with materials, chemistry, and applied process engineering programs for Nordic and European industries. Compares directly to CBC's mix of industry-partnership research, technology platform access, and spin-off generation.
• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas): Spain's largest public research institution, operating across chemistry, materials, and life sciences with industrial partnership programs. Comparable in scale, thematic breadth, and the public-institute contract-research model applied to European industry.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch public applied-research organization with industry-partnership programs in energy, materials, and circular chemistry. Like CBC, TNO operates national technology platforms and licenses spin-outs, making it a directly comparable European public R&D partnership model.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives): France's largest public research organization with deep capabilities in energy, materials, and chemistry. Operates multiple technology platforms and partnership research programs with industry — a close structural analog to Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT's Carnot institute model, and a frequent co-applicant on French national R&D programs.
• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK Catapult center focused on advanced manufacturing and additive manufacturing R&D with industrial partners. Shares the model of operating dedicated technology platforms (analogous to CBC's MultiFab and PNF2 platforms) funded by a mix of public grants and industry contracts.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's applied research network with 76 institutes conducting contract research for industry across materials, chemistry, surface engineering, and manufacturing. The Fraunhofer model is the most-cited international comparator for the French Carnot institute structure, including revenue mix (public base + industry contracts) and IP/spin-off generation.
• Institut de Recherche Paul Pascal (CNRS UMR 5031): CNRS-hosted chemistry and materials research unit in Bordeaux with strong industry-partnership heritage in polymers, soft matter, and nanochemistry. Directly comparable as a French public chemistry/materials unit conducting contract research with industrial partners and producing spin-offs.
• Carnot M.I.N.E.S Institute: Another French Carnot institute focused on materials, microelectronics, and industrial processes. Shares the Carnot label, public funding model, and industry-partnership structure with CBC, with significant overlap in materials engineering and additive manufacturing R&D.

Broad incumbents

• National Physical Laboratory (NPL): UK's national measurement institute with extensive capabilities in materials characterization, analytical chemistry, and standards — directly analogous to CBC's Balard Analysis and Characterization Platform (PAC). Serves industrial clients with metrology and contract research services.
• CEA-Leti: CEA's micro/nanotechnology R&D laboratory serving semiconductor and advanced materials industries. While its thematic focus (microelectronics, MEMS) differs from CBC's chemistry/materials breadth, its public-private partnership model and platform-licensing approach are highly comparable.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institutcarnotchimiebalardcirimat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Carnot Chimie Balard CIRIMAT