Fertile ground in terms of geological potential and desire to rehabilitate mining sites
Endemic plants capable of accumulating the metals they recover in the soil before storing them in their leaves.
On the flanks of the giant Koniambo nickel site, north of New Caledonia, a fenced plot houses the plantations of laboratory bio-inspired chemistry and green innovations (ChimEco) of CNRS, headed by Claude Grison. This internationally recognized chemist, professor at the University of Montpellier, demonstrated the potential of these endemic plants, with extraordinary properties, for sustainable chemistry.
Bio-based catalysts more effective than conventional one
With her team, the scientist has developed an innovative method for using the old leaves of these plants to transform them into eco-chemical catalysts. Accelerators reaction, the catalysts are widely used in cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical and chemical.
Yet, each year, the European REACH Regulation, which secures the manufacture and use of chemicals in industry, expands the list of banned metals present in conventional catalysts. “This explains the strong interest generated by our work with manufacturers in search of alternatives. Especially, these catalysts “biobased” are more effective than conventional catalysts, “says Claude Grison.
The chemist chose New Caledonia since the field is particularly favorable in terms of geological potential and of will to rehabilitate mining sites. On the experimental plot of Koniambo, the choice fell on a shrub called “Grevillea exul exul” very used for revegetation of mining soils and manganese accumulator. While thousands of hectares are devastated by mining in New Caledonia, the program aims to couple revegetation and recycling plants for green chemistry.
Research engineer at CNRS, Cyril Poullain ensures, with the support of IAC (Agronomic Institute Caledonian), the monitoring of plantations, of which three are on mines Le Nickel (SLN), a subsidiary of French mining group Eramet and the largest private employer in New Caledonia.
