PCAS

Their core work

PCAS is a French specialty chemicals and fine chemicals company based near Lyon, providing advanced chemical synthesis and materials for industrial applications. Their H2020 portfolio spans insulating materials for energy efficiency, chiral compound resolution for pharmaceutical and chemical processes, and organic semiconductor materials for flexible electronics. They bring industrial-scale chemical manufacturing expertise to research consortia, bridging the gap between laboratory chemistry and commercial production. Their role across projects suggests they serve as the materials supplier and process scale-up partner within multi-disciplinary teams.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

PCAS began their H2020 participation focused on energy-efficient building materials, coordinating the HOMESKIN insulation project (2015-2018), alongside involvement in pharmaceutical-adjacent chiral chemistry (CORE, 2016-2020). Their most recent project, RoLA-FLEX (2020-2023), marks a clear pivot toward organic large-area electronics — flexible photovoltaics, wearable electronics, and advanced photolithography processes. This shift suggests the company is moving its specialty chemicals capabilities toward the fast-growing flexible and printed electronics market.

PCAS is repositioning its chemical synthesis expertise from traditional energy materials toward organic semiconductors and flexible electronics manufacturing — a sector with strong commercial growth potential.

How they like to work

PCAS takes varied roles across projects — coordinator, partner, and third-party participant — suggesting adaptability rather than a fixed consortium position. With 36 unique partners across 14 countries from just 3 projects, they operate within large, diverse Innovation Action consortia rather than small focused teams. This breadth indicates they are comfortable as one specialist contributor among many, bringing their chemical manufacturing know-how without needing to lead.

PCAS has built a moderately broad European network of 36 partners across 14 countries through just 3 projects, reflecting participation in large IA-type consortia. Their base near Lyon positions them well within the French and broader Western European industrial chemistry ecosystem.

What sets them apart

PCAS offers something relatively rare in H2020 consortia: an industrial-scale specialty chemicals company that can take research-grade materials and processes toward manufacturing readiness. Unlike university labs or research institutes, they bring real production infrastructure and commercial chemical process expertise. For consortium builders, PCAS fills the critical gap between proof-of-concept materials and industrially viable chemical supply chains, particularly in organic electronics and advanced functional materials.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HOMESKIN
  Their largest project (EUR 989K) and only coordinator role, focused on advanced insulating materials — shows where they had strongest ownership.
• RoLA-FLEX
  Most recent project representing their strategic pivot into organic photovoltaics and flexible electronics via roll-to-roll and laser processing technologies.