i-CARE · Project

Green High-Performance Polymer Replacing Epoxy in Offshore and Hydrogen Equipment

energyPilotedTRL 8

Imagine you need super-tough plastic that can survive the bottom of the ocean or hold hydrogen under extreme pressure — but today's best options crack, corrode, or cost a fortune. A French company figured out how to turn a waste product from oil refining into a polymer called NexTene™ that outperforms traditional materials like epoxy while cutting carbon emissions nearly in half. Think of it as recycling industrial leftovers into the toughest coating and tank material the energy industry has ever seen.

By the numbers

47%

Lower carbon footprint than epoxy and conventional materials

Letters of intent from potential clients and industry players

Single SME with full IP ownership and fabless production model

The business problem

What needed solving

Energy companies operating offshore platforms, hydrogen infrastructure, and wind farms need materials that survive extreme pressure, temperature, and corrosion — but current polymers and epoxies degrade too fast, cost too much to replace, and carry a heavy carbon footprint. There is no single material on the market that combines extreme durability with green chemistry credentials and competitive cost.

The solution

What was built

DEMETA developed NexTene™, a high-performance polymer made from DCPD (a petroleum waste product) using a patented green chemistry catalyst. Deliverables included MSDS documentation for each NexTene formulation, REACh registration, and ISO certification processes (45001, 14001, 9001).

Audience

Who needs this

Offshore pipeline coating and protection companiesHydrogen storage tank manufacturersOffshore wind turbine structure fabricatorsSubsea buoyancy module producersIndustrial composites manufacturers serving energy sector

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Offshore Oil & Gas

enterprise

Target: Offshore equipment manufacturers and pipeline operators

If you are an offshore equipment company dealing with corrosion, cracking, and material failure in extreme marine environments — this project developed NexTene™, a high-performance polymer coating that outperforms epoxy in harsh conditions while delivering a 47% lower carbon footprint. It is designed for pipelines, buoyancy modules, and custom protective coatings exposed to saltwater, pressure, and temperature extremes.

Hydrogen Storage & Transport

mid-size

Target: Hydrogen tank manufacturers and fuel cell system integrators

If you are a hydrogen storage company struggling to find tank liner materials that withstand high pressure cycling without degradation — this project developed NexTene™ polymer specifically validated for hydrogen storage tanks. It replaces conventional composites with a greener, more durable alternative made from petroleum industry waste, with 27 potential clients already expressing interest.

Offshore Wind Energy

enterprise

Target: Wind turbine manufacturers and offshore wind farm developers

If you are a wind energy company looking for lighter, tougher materials for offshore turbine structures — this project developed NexTene™ as a drop-in replacement for epoxy in performance composites. The material handles extreme weather and saltwater exposure while reducing your carbon footprint by 47% compared to conventional epoxy-based composites.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does NexTene™ cost compared to conventional epoxy or composite materials?

Based on available project data, specific pricing is not disclosed. However, the raw material (DCPD) is a waste byproduct from the petroleum industry, which suggests a competitive cost base. DEMETA uses a fabless model with outsourced European production, keeping capital costs low.

Can NexTene™ be produced at industrial scale today?

DEMETA designed a fabless business model, outsourcing all catalyst production and blending operations to European partners. The project targeted TRL 8-9 by end of 2022, meaning industrial-scale production readiness was the explicit goal. With 27 letters of intent gathered, the supply chain appears structured for volume.

How is the intellectual property structured — can we license NexTene™?

DEMETA holds patents on the green chemistry catalyst used to produce NexTene™. As a single-partner SME project, all IP sits with DEMETA. Licensing or supply agreements would need to be negotiated directly with the company.

What certifications and regulatory approvals does NexTene™ have?

The project included a dedicated task for regulatory documentation including MSDS for each NexTene formulation, REACh registration, and ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001 certifications. A full-time Quality & HSE position was created to manage these processes.

How does NexTene™ compare environmentally to existing materials?

NexTene™ has a 47% lower carbon footprint than epoxy and other conventional materials, according to project data. It is synthesized through green chemistry from DCPD, a waste product from petroleum refining, turning an industrial byproduct into a high-value material.

What is the timeline to integrate NexTene™ into our production?

The project ran from April 2020 to September 2022 and targeted TRL 9 (market deployment) before 2022. DEMETA's fabless model means they supply formulated material ready for your existing manufacturing processes, which should reduce integration time compared to developing new materials in-house.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a solo SME project — DEMETA is the only partner, based in France. That means all intellectual property, decision-making, and commercial rights sit with one company, which simplifies any business negotiation significantly. There are no university or research institute partners to coordinate with. DEMETA operates a fabless model, outsourcing production to European manufacturing partners, so the company itself focuses on R&D, formulation, and sales. For a potential buyer or licensee, this is straightforward: one company, one contact point, one decision-maker.

How to reach the team

DEMETA is a French SME — contact their business development team via demeta-solutions.com for NexTene™ supply or licensing discussions.

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to DEMETA's team to discuss NexTene™ for your application? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right technical and commercial contacts.

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