The SHERPA project objective is to build a collaborative organization to synthesize new high performance polymers, designed to reach properties close to metals, especially for key sectors such as automotive applications where focus on responsible care is high. These low density new materials are designed to reduce the weight of car parts and improve fuel efficiency of vehicles. An important part of the project aims at using raw materials from vegetal sources and to identify catalysts for a more efficient process. The first generation of high performance polyamides experiences a strong growth. It has been developed by international competitors from two French chemical players Arkema and Rhodia. To maintain and improve their positions on polyamide 6,6 and polyamide 11 markets, Arkema and Rhodia propose to collaborate with IMP and C2P2 laboratories in Lyon. The objective is to develop the new generation of high performance polyamides. To go beyond the current state of the art, several progresses of the polymer technologies will be combined. The targets to reach are a higher dimensional stability, a resistance to high temperature and a high processability. Several sub-projects will be organized: 1. the development of an experimental high pressure, high temperature reactor, the improvement of the process productivity with fast catalysts, and the development of advanced characterization methods, 2. the synthesis of PA 6,6 copolymers containing functional groups bringing high performances, 3. the synthesis of PA 11 copolymers containing functional groups bringing high performances, 4. the construction of non linear polyamide architectures, 5. the development of nanostructured complex polymer blends. The sub-projects will be organized at the IMP and C2P2 laboratories with PhD theses and also at CERDATO Arkema and CRTL Rhodia laboratories. During the project, planned for 4 years, 6 researchers will be dedicated to these developments. A maturity, it is estimated that the project will bring an increase in sales from 10 to 20 % for Rhodia and Arkema, representing more than 100 M€, for several dozens of thousand tons representing several dozens of manufacturing jobs.

The presence of the fluorine atom in molecules increases their biological activity .This represents a significant interest for applications in medicinal chemistry and agrochemical industries. Given the growing interest to introduce an atom or atom (s) of fluoride in an organic molecule, it is essential to develop new methods for selective fluorination. A new way is the preparation of fluorinated building blocks by nucleophilic aromatic substitution from the chlorinated starting materials in the presence of a catalyst and hydrogen fluoride as the fluorinating agent. The objective of this work is to establish firstly the feasibility of such reactions and secondly the rules determining the operating conditions and the formulation of catalysts. This will thus adapt the catalyst as a function of the reactivity of chlorinated substrates. The project partners are complementary and have a proven ability to work together.