Third Topic: Innovation

    I assume that nobody will be surpised if innovation is told to be one of Sylvain's greatest concern. As a matter of fact, there is no R&D without innovation. But let's go further...
Does Aluminium industry really requires innovation?
   First I would like to dismiss a generally accepted idea, which could make you think that there is no need of innovation for Aluminium industry. Do not forget that, for intance, Aluminium is used in cars or planes. The epitome of the need of innovation remains my coach's job. As it is explained in the post named "About my coach", Sylvain 's research area is automotive heat exchanger.  As you may guess it, automotive industry is high innovating since many firms are competing.It means that Aluminium industry is demanded to be also high innovating. Thus Sylvain and Alcan researchers have to offer new solutions to their clients (First Topic: Clients and Suppliers).In other words they have to find solutions which offer better results or/and are more economical. If you take the blog's quizz, you will discover how much the R&D budget amounts to...I am convinced that you will be surprised!
Is innovation the only solution for an occidental firm to remain competitive?
   Today occidental firms have obviously more and more difficulties in facing the competition with firms from countries, such as China, India or even Russia- where production costs are lower. Actually, Alcan researchers have to offer higher-potential alloys than standard alloys which are sold by Alcan's competitors with a lower cost than Alcan's one. If you can talk to an Alcan client, you will be told that Innovating ability is clearly a criterion of selection.
A simple example: A lower price does not necessarily means the cheapest solution.
   Let me give you the example that Sylvain told me in order to make me understand how innovation may be essential. Imagine that the price of a standard alloy amounts to 2.500 euros/ton. If Alcan is able to propose an alloy whose cost is 2.800 euros/ton and if the latter can make the client save 500 euros/ton (forinstance, because the client will then succeed in reducing the thickness of the part without losing its properties or because he will not have to use a rustproofing treatment), the client will be droven to choose Alcan's solution.
Alcan research requests innovating in Alcan's clients processes.
   The previous example shows how necessary the innovation in clients' processes may be. That is why Alcan researchers knows perfectly their clients' products and often create the prototypes of these products. Unbelievably, Alcan researchers can sometimes lies at the roots of innovation in their client's products and processes.
Difference between academic research and industrial research.
   Innovation is certainly more at the heart of industrial research. As a matter of fact, academic researchers are more interested in understanding and creating new theories whereas industrial researchers always strive to find new applications of the different theories. It does not mean that industrial researchers do not work at creating new theories or that academic researchers do not develop new applications. However there is no doubt that the aim of an academic researcher remains to publish some scientific articles whereas the one of an industrial researcher is to patent.
Is patenting always a good strategy?
   When Sylvain -or another Alcan researcher- finds a new alloy or a new process, Alcan usually patents the idea. Alcan has indeed to be careful to protect the idea in order to prevent the competitors from using Alcan's ideas or alloys. Nevertheless, patenting is not always the best solution. As a matter of fact, patenting is a public act. Thus, it will give a part of the idea to the competitors. For instance, a process innovation does not leave any mark, it will be very difficult to prove that there is an infrigment of the patent.