Innovators at Work: Meet Olivier Paquet
Sustainable innovations are essential to driving Ahlstrom’s growth. With the industry's most expansive set of technologies at our fingertips, we have every capability to create safe and sustainable solutions that meet our customers' needs and address global trends. Behind every great Ahlstrom invention stands a team of experts.
Let’s meet one of our scientists -Olivier Paquet! Olivier is our Senior Scientist, Global Science & Technology Development located in Pont-Evêque, France.
What is your academic background (university, major, degrees)?
I earned a master’s degree in Polymer Science and a Ph.D. in Material Science, both from the University of Grenoble, France.
How long have you been with Ahlstrom?
Eight years. I was hired as a Technical Customer Service (TCS) and Product Development Engineer before transferring into a full-time Product Development position for the Food business. I recently joined the Global Science & Technology Development team as a Senior Scientist.
What are the responsibilities under your job title?
My responsibilities include developing new fiber-based materials, leading R&D projects, and exploring new, safe, and clean technologies for bringing advanced functionalities to our materials. It is my duty also to share ideas and solutions across the company, connecting them with the needs of different businesses.
What is your current focus at work (e.g., specific innovation or solution)?
I am mostly focused on Ahlstrom’s Innovation Platforms (special cross-organization innovation efforts that drive multiple product development efforts under one umbrella) and the development of new concepts or technologies. Currently, my attention is on providing safe pathways for the integration of properties such as water repellency, oil repellency, or release properties, among others, into our products. By safe, I mean we strive for more sustainable solutions, typically avoiding the use of perpetual pollutants or other potentially harmful chemicals. This work includes the evaluation of coatings, chemical grafting techniques, and other surface modification technologies to develop specialty repellent solutions.
Why is this work important for customers; what need/problem does it solve?
It is crucial for our customers as it addresses the need for high-performance, sustainable materials that offer enhanced protective properties. By developing safe, advanced repellent solutions, we help our customers anticipate future regulatory requirements, improve product durability, and reduce environmental impact in industries such as filtration, food packaging, release solutions, and many more.
Ahlstrom is focused on addressing global trends (clean air & water, personalized healthcare, sustainable packaging & protection, decarbonization of buildings, electrification) to drive growth. Which trend is your work related to?
My work is primarily related to the clean air and water trend as well as sustainable packaging and protection, but it is not limited to a specific market or application. My position is designed to address the needs of any part of the company and support my colleagues in finding relevant technologies to offer safe repellent features in their own product developments.
What emerging technology or market most interests you?
The development of alternative chemistries, such as PFAS-free coatings and bio-based materials and their potential to reduce environmental impact while providing the high-performance characteristics our customers demand.
What excites you most about Ahlstrom’s future?
Our commitment to sustainable innovation. We are at the forefront of developing materials that not only meet current market needs but also anticipate and address future global challenges. The opportunity to contribute to this vision and help shape the future of sustainable materials is incredibly motivating.
What do you consider to be a highlight(s) of your career so far (job titles, patents, awards)?
My career has involved various experiences, including the opportunity to lead several successful R&D projects from concept to commercialization, resulting in patented technologies that are now integral to our product offerings.
What do you like to do in your free time to relax?
I enjoy spending time with my family, building furniture, gardening, and all types of outdoor activities. I am also interested in photography. These activities help me recharge and bring fresh perspectives to my work.
This article is part of a series that showcases Ahlstrom’s visionary experts, the minds behind our cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.