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Ms. Grison is the pioneer of the ecocatalysis concept, which represents a major breakthrough at the interface between ecology and chemistry. The development of ecocatalysis has created a paradigm shift in sustainable and green chemistry: it becomes possible to address the transformation of plant-derived noble and transition metals to green catalysts. These novel polymetallic catalytic materials have used in organic synthesis to generate over 5,000 biosourced molecules which can be substituted for chemicals traditionally derived from petroleum. They can be given access to molecules with high added value for fine and industrial chemicals (perfumes and cosmetics, medicines, oligomers of biological interest and key intermediaries of sustainable chemical processes).
The results have led to create 3 start-ups: Stratoz, Bioinspir and Bioprotection Laboratory.

Ms. Grison is author and co-author of more than 211 scientific articles and 44 patents, she has received 10 awards for Innovation.
Finally, C. Grison was elected as a Member of the European Academy of Sciences in 2021 and is also a member of France’s National Academy of Pharmacy.

She will take part in the 2022 MSCA conference, in the fourth workshop on the Green charter in research projects.

A few more words about the conference

Introduce yourself briefly. What are you currently working on?

I am CNRS Research Director. I am leading the Laboratory of Bio-inspired Chemistry and Ecological Innovations (Montpellier, France), which is dedicated to the implementation of new ecological solutions and innovative chemical tools for the ambitions of tomorrow’s chemistry.
I have strong expertise in sustainable chemistry and in ecological restoration with concrete applications in New Caledonia and France. The unique use and recovery of these phytotechnologies are called ecocatalysis. It is based on the original use of metal species of plant origin as bio-sourced catalysts in sustainable chemistry. This concept allows the design and the synthesis of the first ecocatalysts for a greener sustainable future. This approach is leading to the preparation of biomolecules using an eco-responsible and bio-inspired strategy. The obtained results demonstrate that these new catalytic systems present a huge potential for the future. This is a global approach of scientific ecology and chemistry now leading to an international network that associates various public and private partners, and the creation of three young innovative companies.
 

You will participate in the conference as part of the Green charter workshop, why does this topic matter to you?

In an international context of ecological and sanitary crisis, my research is oriented towards a new interdisciplinary approach of chemistry capable of building a different future. The aim is to involve green and sustainable chemistry in the resolution of environmental problems. Today, the discipline is oriented towards the sole research of "cleaner" synthesis processes, whereas it can be much more ambitious, because it has from a fundamental point of view the means to contribute, in synergy with Scientific Ecology, to the resolution of major environmental concerns, and to fit efficiently into the circular economy system suggested by the .
I chose to prove that this new chemistry could play a leading role in responding to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity erosion, soil, river and groundwater pollution, and the multiplication of invasive alien plant and animal species. The approach was built around a new concept: associating nature, ecology and chemistry.
 

You were also interested by the workshop about science and society. Do you think that building greener technologies can strengthen the link between research and citizens?

We urgently need concrete answers to the economic and ecological changes announced. Green, sustainable and ecological technologies are able to provide them, while taking into account the degradation of ecosystems, the limited access to resources, social economy and respect for nature.
I am convinced that we must be more than researchers, but citizen researchers. We must be force of proposals for reflections and concrete actions to contribute to the resolution of the major current environmental problems and the harmonious and sustainable development of our society.
 

In the eyes of the public, chemical industry is a major cause of pollution. How do you reconcile chemistry and ecology in your work?

I would like to prove that scientific Ecology could be the driver of a Green and Sustainable Chemistry that both prevents and solves current environmental problems !

The public rightly think that chemical industry has been, and is still, a major cause of pollution.
I would like to prove that scientific Ecology could be the driver of a Green and Sustainable Chemistry that both prevents and solves current environmental problems !
Faced with depletion of natural resources and the biodiversity erosion, researches at the interface at Ecology and chemistry can combine ecological rehabilitation and sustainable chemistry to create environment-friendly economic new models for the 21st century.    
For example, an aim of my work is to prove that the innovative and sustainable production of primary raw materials which derive from ecological restoration can become a breakthrough in chemistry and open the way to the “ecological chemistry”.
 

See also