Interview with Benjamin Faure, a work-study student in R&D

Hello Benjamin, can you introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Benjamin Faure and I have been working as a work-study student in the R&D department at Addiscience® since September 7, 2023, for a period of one year.

I am in my final year of a Master’s degree in Chemistry and Materials Science, specializing in Plastics Technology, in Saint-Etienne.

Before joining Addiscience® as a work-study student, I first did a 5-month internship during my first year of my Master’s degree (also at Addiscience®), which allowed me to start the work I am doing today.

Thank you. What made you decide to apply to ADDIPLAST GROUP?

I wanted to explore the Research & Development department within a medium-sized industrial company like ADDIPLAST GROUP, as I had already had the opportunity to work in the public sector.

Can you describe your main role within the Addiscience® R&D department?

Of course. I was recruited by Guillaume Alès, Addiscience®’s R&D manager, to oversee and manage the SABRES (Système durABle extéRieur connectES) collaborative project.

The project is led by a major client from the automotive industry. In partnership with a new start-up, an SME, a university laboratory, and ADDIPLAST GROUP, the client wants to develop and integrate a new technology aimed at making vehicles autonomous.

This project has several areas of development. The first is the development of this new technology. The second is its integration into body parts. Finally, the last is to develop innovative compounds with low environmental impact with a view to producing body parts, but also various exterior automotive parts. It is in this last area that Addiscience® is involved in various sub-projects covering a range of applications such as tailgate boxes, bumpers, etc. To this end, we are working on the integration of polymers and recycled fillers as well as natural fibers.

What are your day-to-day operational tasks?

My day-to-day tasks are rich and varied and similar to those of an engineer and formulation expert. I formulate, analyze, and interpret the results in order to provide my supervisor Guillaume with accurate and concise conclusions in my research reports. I present and discuss the results with the R&D team in order to identify new formulation avenues.

I also attend important meetings with all stakeholders in collaborative projects.

What are you learning on a daily basis from your work-study program?

Being a work-study student in R&D allows me to learn new things about the professional world every day. I am learning to manage the organizational constraints of a project schedule, delivery issues, and non-compliance issues. I am also learning to be proactive and independent.

At the end of your work-study program, do you want to continue your studies?

Yes, I would like to do a CIFRE thesis in partnership with an industrial company afterwards. However, I am still open to joining a company at the end of the program.