Certech - Former University R&D Center Advances Sustainable Chemistry

1. Certech - Former
University R&D Center
Advances Sustainable
Chemistry
By Jean-Jacques Degroof

2. Certech - Former University R&D Center
Advances Sustainable Chemistry
Formerly An associate researcher at the Center for Research in
Entrepreneurial Change and Innovative Strategies of the Catholic University
of Louvain (UCL) in Belgium, Jean-Jacques Degroof supports the
development of start-up ventures that arise from the conversion of academic
projects into innovative independent enterprises. Currently, Jean-Jacques
Degroof serves on the board of directors for the Centre of Technological
Resources in Chemistry (Certech), playing a key role in the guidance of an
organization that started as an initiative of UCL.

3. Certech - Former University R&D Center
Advances Sustainable Chemistry
Located in
the Belgian city of Seneffe, Certech was founded by UCL in 1996, with funding
from the Walloon Region and the European Union. Certech is
a consolidated research facility for three UCL laboratories with extensive
experience in industrial chemistry.

4. Certech - Former University R&D Center
Advances Sustainable Chemistry
Since 1999, the center has operated as an independent nonprofit
organization, led by a board consisting of civic officials, industry professionals,
and academic founders. Though Certech is separate from UCL, the two
institutions maintain a partnership and in 2012 they established a joint
research unit. As a member of the Environment and Materials Research
Association, Certech collaborates with five research and test centers to
advance work in sustainable processing and material science. An Industrial
Committee and a Scientific Committee of qualified academics evaluate the
validity and practical commercial utility of projects undertaken by the center’s
39 scientists.