The Centre of Technological Resources in Chemistry (Certech)
Certech (The Centre of Technological Resources in Chemistry) is a contract research organisation, offering a wide range of services to industries. Certech is working not only for the chemical industry but also in other fields where its expertise can be an asset, such as automotive, construction, packaging, food, agriculture, personal care, pharmaceutical, energy, environment. Certech mission is to provide help, support and services to small and large industrial enterprises by offering analysis and measurements, problem-solving, contract research, product and process development capabilities. Certech vision is to deliver innovative solutions for product and process improvement or development, by exploiting sustainable chemistry, in order to meet future societal and industrial needs. Certech strategy focused mainly on three axes, namely environment, material science and process intensification.
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Service provider
- Industry Type:
- Environmental - Environmental Science and Research
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
This company also provides solutions for other industrial applications.
Please, visit the following links for more info:
About Us
Who are we ?
The Centre of Technological Resources in Chemistry (Certech) is a contract research organisation offering a wide range of services to industries directly or indirectly involved with chemical technology, such as automobile, construction, packaging, food, agriculture, personal care, pharmaceutical, medical, energy, environment, etc.
Certech’s mission is to provide help, support and services to small and large industrial enterprises, by offering ad hoc analysis and measurements, problem-solving, contract research, product and process development capabilities.
Our vision is to become a recognized expert in product and process improvement or development, by exploiting sustainable chemistry, to meet future societal and industrial needs.
Strategic research and expertises include three axis: environment, materials formulation & technology and process intensification.
Background
The Centre was created in 1996 by the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), with the financial support of the European Union and the Walloon Region. It is located at Seneffe, in the south west of Belgium.
In 1999, it has been separated from the University as Certech asbl, an independent non-profit organisation. Its board of Directors includes members from the University as well as representatives from Industry.
A Scientific Committee composed of leading academics is providing scientific validation of projects.
An Industrial Steering Committee representative of a cross section of Certech customer base also helps the Centre to better address Industrial needs.
Certech employs 38 high level scientists and manages a wide variety of state-of-the-art application research equipment.
Partners
Certech is member of EMRA (Environment and Materials Research Association). EMRA consists of 6 Research and Test Centres (CRIBC, INS, INISMa, CTP, Certech and Materia Nova) with additional expertise and capabilities in the field of materials, processing and environment. The Association comes together to supply a higher level of industrial support through a joint development strategy.
In 2012, Certech and UCL (via its research Institutes) strenghtened their collaboration and developped their research and educationnal activities through the creation of a 'unité mixte de recherche'.
Certech is member of SUSCHEM, EUROPABIO, SPE, SFIP, BPG, GFP, GN-MEBA, SoR, GFSV, UWE.
Certech offers also a broad network of collaborations and partnership with other research Centres and Universities:
- Universities: UCL, Lille, UMH, ULB, ULG, EMD, GEGENA2, INRA
- RTO: WALTECH, VITO, CRITT, CREPIM, VKC
- Federations: Agoria, Essenscia
- Clusters: Plastiwin, TWEED, Val+
- Training centers: Cefochim, Technofutur
- Platforms: ERE, MRP, Construction, Transport, AGROBIO
- Clusters: Mecatech, BIOWIN, WAGRALIM, GREENWIN, MAUD, IAR, Cosmetic Valley
- Publics organisms: EC, AWEX, IC, DGO
Quality and Recognition
Since 2004, a quality management system according to the reference ISO 9001 standard has been put in place.
Certech is also accredited according to ISO 17025:2005 for the sampling and measurement of the odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry according to NBN EN 13725.
Certech is under accreditation of PSA/Renault for the following tests:
- VOC, aldehydes & ketones, odour analyses from complete parts after conditioning in 1 m3 chamber test according to Renault D493085, D493027-A, D493046-A
- Odour from materials according to D493001-C
- VOC analyses according to D42-3109/D105495-D
- Aldehydes & Ketones analyses according to D40-3004/ D40 5535-D
- Perfumes testing according: D50 5540-OR, D40 5540-OR
- Waxes testing by dynamic olfactometry
Certech is accredited by the Walloon Region for the sampling, analysis and research in the field of air quality (including odour aspects).
Certech is recognized as a reference expert by AFNOR, ISO and CEN committees. Participation enables scientific exchanges and elaboration of new standards. Covered topics include:
- Determination of VOC's in indoor air
- Emissions into indoor air
- Emissions from constructions products into indoor air
- Sensory testing Measurement of odour impact by field inspection
- Photocatalysis Workplace air Ambiant air - diffusive samplers
Certech is eligible for technological consulting and contracting via the so-called “chèques technologiques” for Wallonia or “KMO-portefeuille” for Flanders. These grants are dedicated to SMEs, to support and promote innovation.
Certech has been an approved service provider for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 under the French General Code of Taxation allowing a Research Tax Credit (CIR).
Certech is also mentioned by ADEME (The French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management) as a qualified laboratory for the assessment of air quality.