SICAT and ACM History
From IDEA
to LAB
to PILOT
to COMMERCIAL SCALE
2023
In May 2023, Saint-Gobain NorPro® made a significant move by acquiring a 50.1% majority stake in SICAT SAS (the R&D arm of the group) and ACM GmbH, marking a pivotal moment in the group’s trajectory. This strategic acquisition provided ACM, responsible for sales and manufacturing within the group, with the means to invest in a new production line. As a result, ACM’s plant witnessed a remarkable increase in total throughput, scaling up to 150 tons per year of catalyst carriers.
2017 mesoC+™
The year 2017 saw the successful launch of mesoC+™ by SICAT-ACM, introducing mesoporous carbon pellets renowned for their exceptional mesoporosity, mechanical strength, and high purity to the market. This innovation was quickly met with commercial success, with the company securing its first mesoC+™ commercial order in 2019, signaling a promising future for the product.
2016 - 2012
Between 2012 and 2016, SICAT-ACM achieved notable milestones, including the first delivery of high-purity SiC pellets (15.5 Mt) These accomplishments underscored SICAT’s growing reputation and market presence in the industry.
2011
The year 2011 was pivotal for SICAT-ACM as it demonstrated industrial feasibility on a 40 Mt/yr batch facility, laying the groundwork for scaling up production and furthering the company’s capabilities.
2010
In 2010, ACM achieved a significant milestone with the opening of its plant in Willstätt, Germany. This expansion marked a crucial step forward in the group’s operational capabilities, setting the stage for future growth and development.
2006 - 2009
From 2006 to 2009, SICAT-ACM engaged in a first joint development with a leading player in the oil industry, solidifying partnerships and laying the foundation for future advancements in technology and innovation.
2001
In 2001, SICAT-ACM was founded with an initial investment of US$4 million by investors and the CNRS (French National Research Agency). Securing an exclusive patent license with CNRS, the company established a small pilot facility in Alsace near Strasbourg, marking the beginning of its journey in product developments and process scale-up.
Sicat and acm affiliates
bobine
The bobine technology was developed by the Institut de Chimie et de Procédés pour l’Energie, l’Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES, UMR 7515) of the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg, and after 3 years of R&D was the subject of a patent application, co-owned by the CNRS, SICAT and BLACKLEAF, an industrial company active in the production of Graphene. bobine is a joint venture between SICAT and BLACKLEAF aimed at developing and industrializing this technology. SATT CONECTUS Alsace, the patent administrator, has granted bobine an exclusive license to use the patent.
Through this license, bobine aims to develop a technology for the chemical recycling of plastics, enabling the production of virgin-quality polymers from non-recyclable plastic waste. This technology, based on heterogeneous catalysis coupled with electromagnetic induction, makes it possible to produce olefins (ethylene, propylene) in large quantities from waste without using a steam cracker.
TrapAparT
The TrapAparT technology is the fruit of a partnership between the Institut de Chimie et de Procédés pour l’Energie, l’Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES, UMR 7515) of the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg, and SICAT, a company dedicated to the production of SiC-based catalyst supports. After 2 years of R&D, a patent has been filed, co-owned by CNRS, University of Strasbourg and SICAT.
TrapAparT aims to develop and market a passive air purification technology using the piston effect as a means of transporting the air to be purified. This innovative technology significantly reduces particle content in confined, hard-to-reach areas such as tunnels, railway stations, underground passageways, etc., and offers very low resistance to air flow. The filters can be regenerated with water and offer an extended service life of several months, positioning TrapAparT as a major player in the improvement of urban air quality.
