Center National for Evaluation of Photoprotection
Bridge between research and industries

CNEP > CNEP International > About CNEP

Who we are

Find out more about our activities and offers

Agings

Involved in societal and economic issues, the CNEP supports Companies and Research Organizations to better understand the phenomena of photochemical, thermal or other aging.
The CNEP also offers you the opportunity to characterize the evolution of plastic materials during accelerated aging.

and analysis

Thanks to its know-how, its analysis and control devices and its experience in polymer chemistry, CNEP can respond to varied requests for characterizations and analyzes.

Durability and aging

Durability of polymeric materials formulated under light or thermal stress. Photochemical, thermal, hydrolytic aging. Accelerated and natural aging. Service life prediction in indoor or outdoor use

Characterizations

Chemical analyzes of formulations Anti-UV and anti-oxidant additive level measurements, pigment levels, fillers, etc. Determination of thicknesses and compositions of multilayer films, of finished film packaging Evaluation of bonding, crosslinking of paints

Failures and dégradations

Determination of oxidation degrees at the surface and at the core of the material by measuring the chemical evolution profile Visual or chemical detection of damage allowing the understanding of the phenomena and support for the resolution of detected problem

Expertises

Sapper and scientific expert for insurance companies, courts for any request for chemical damage expertise

Standards and specifications

Standards and specifications Creation of Standards for formulated Polymer Materials and their uses

Advice and training

Knowledge Sharing for members of Companies interested in the Durability of Polymer-based Materials

Our concern:

meet the expectations of regional, national or international companies

Listening

Listening and taking into account the business problem

response

An ever faster response for ever longer expected durability

Advices

Support and advice in the product development phases

Involvement

Respect for commitments and confidentiality

Report

Provision of a detailed and reasoned study report

Confidentiality

The CNEP is a public limited company that carries out its research under confidentiality contract

The quality of our work is recognized

Always mindful of the quality of our analyzes and the reliability of our scientific data, the CNEP has numerous accreditations or certifications recognized worldwide.

ISO 9001

Certification ISO 9001 - version 2015

D15 3200A

Accreditation RENAULT ME D153200A

quoter equest

C.R.T.

Centre de Ressources technologiques

Allizé-Plasturgie

Member of the Allizé-Plasturgie network

Our experience

Coming from a fundamental research laboratory, the CNEP has been supporting Businesses (Large Groups, ETIs and SMEs), Research Organizations and Innovation Systems for more than 36 years.

Creation of the photochemistry laboratory
Since 1972, the Laboratory of Molecular and Macromolecular Photochemistry (UMR CNRS 6505) of the Blaise Pascal University (ex UCA) and of the National School of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand (ex SIGMA) has been studying the mechanisms of photochemical aging that control the long-term behavior of polymer materials in outdoor use
1972
Creation of the CNEP by Professor Jacques Lemaire

The numerous industrial uses brought about by a better knowledge of the aging mechanisms of polymeric materials made it necessary to set up the CNEP (National Center for the Evaluation of Photoprotection) in 1986 to examine the original problems associated with the long-term quality control of polymer materials in use formulation.

1986
Extension of our buildings
The CNEP continues its development by expanding its building to reach an area of ​​1500m²
1994
"Characterization" team
Arrival of the "characterization" team within the CNEP
2000
CRT approval
The Technological Resource Center (CRT) carries out a mission of general interest just like the Technological Diffusion Unit (CDT), by directly assisting companies and more particularly SMEs, in defining their needs, by participating in the development of their activities through innovation and technology, and relying on networks of skills.
2008
ERP/CRM
The CNEP sets up its commercial management and customer follow-up software (ERP/CRM), software that is constantly updated
2017
ISO 9001-v2015 Certification
ISO 9001 is the quality management standard. It provides guarantees in terms of organizational quality within any type of structure. ISO 9001 certification consists of providing proof that a continuous improvement system has been implemented within our company.
2018

How we operate

We are listening to you
Contact us

Contact-us

After an exchange between the project manager and a CNEP manager, a study is proposed taking into account the expectations of the project and the samples available for the study. After agreement, a quote and a time limit for completing the study are proposed

Receipt of samples and start of study

The samples received at the CNEP are referenced in our Quality system and then shaped by us in order to meet the expectations of the project and the requirements of our accelerated aging equipment. 
In the specific case of a durability study, the chemical and color changes during exposure in a SEPAP accelerated photo-aging chamber are monitored by IRTF under different adapted modes and by UV-Visible in order to have a global view of the mechanisms involved

Detailed report

At the end of the planned duration of exposure, a report bringing together all the analyzes and changes in the materials as well as a report allowing an estimate of the lifespan of the various materials is sent to the project manager who can ask advice from the researcher who wrote the report

But our activity is not limited to agings

We also offer you our services in polymer analyzes and characterizations
Our equipments

© 2023 All Rights Reserved.

small_c_popup.png

Do not hesitate to contact us

We will answer as soon as possible

Summer break

The CNEP will be in very reduced activity from August 10 to 15, 2020, contact us preferably after this period.
Thank you

La certification ISO 9001 - 2015

L'ISO 9001:2015 spécifie les exigences relatives au système de management de la qualité lorsqu'un organisme:

a) doit démontrer son aptitude à fournir constamment des produits et des services conformes aux exigences des clients et aux exigences légales et réglementaires applicables, et

b) vise à accroître la satisfaction de ses clients par l'application efficace du système, y compris les processus pour l'amélioration du système et l'assurance de la conformité aux exigences des clients et aux exigences légales et réglementaires applicables.

Toutes les exigences de l'ISO 9001:2015 sont génériques et prévues pour s'appliquer à tout organisme, quels que soient son type ou sa taille, ou les produits et services qu'il fournit.

Obtenir la certification ISO 9001:2015, c’est s’appuyer sur 8 principes de management :
• l’orientation client ;
• l’implication du personnel ;
• l’approche processus ;
• l’amélioration continue ;
• la gestion par approche système ;
• le leadership ;
• la prise de décision fondée sur des preuves ;
• le management des relations avec les parties intéressées.