IRC (Research Institute for Catalysis) was created in 1959. It has been, ever since, by its objectives and its range of study, the most significant French laboratory of the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) and universities entirely devoted to catalysis. Its aims are:
- To undertake all research tasks in catalysis, according to the progress of knowledge and the industrial and socio-economic context.
- To support the transfer of knowledge and know-how towards the chemical, para-chemical or pharmaceutical industries, as well as in the fields of energy and environment.
- To create partnerships with higher education and public or industrial laboratories, on a national and international scale, in order to amplify the effectiveness of training and research made in catalysis
