For the fifth year in a row, Arkema has rewarded with its Arkema Award, the author of the best graduation project in the field of paper fibres, bioresource valorisation, and enhancement of environmental performance in paper processing, among 3rd year student engineers from the Grenoble INP-Pagora (International Engineering School for Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials.

Arkema’s participation in this event and its ongoing backing for research underline its commitment to the paper industry. The Arkema 2009 Award was presented to Miss Amandine Paulin by Mr Pierre Larnicol,  Business Manager at Arkema, in the presence de Mrs Chantal Degrendele, Manager of Arkema’s Jarrie Plant (Isère), for her original work on the preparation of fibre suspension upstream from the paper-making machine, a basic step governing paper quality. This work was conducted in an industrial environment at the Zuber and Rieder papermills, and has led to significant improvements in terms of process and quality of finished products.

This award was presented at the graduation ceremony for engineers on November 27th 2009 in Grenoble, France, in the presence of many students, teachers, paper manufacturers, and the guest of honour for the evening, Mr Patrice Magin, Director of the Centre Intégré en Pâtes et Papiers of the University of Quebec, Trois-Rivières.

Grenoble INP-Pagora (International School of Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials) is an engineering university of the Grenoble Institute of Technology. The school trains future managers for the paper manufacturing and print media sector, in partnership with a large number of manufacturers both in and outside France.

Arkema is a major supplier of bleaching products to the paper industry, with hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate production plants in Asia, Europe and North America.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reports sales of 5.6 billion euros. Arkema has 15,000 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.